Beneath the Royal Veil

Ch8 - Royal Honeymoon

Evelina’s sense of dread deepened as she prepared for the night’s duties. Her goal was clear: Caspian needed to believe they had consummated the marriage, planting seeds of doubt about the child growing inside her. The weight of deception pressed heavily on her shoulders.

She had meticulously planned the evening. Caspian was already deep into his cups, and Evelina poured glass after glass of wine, urging him to drink as they toasted to their new union. Lost in his own world, Caspian complied, downing the wine with reckless abandon. His fated mate’s absence was evident in his detached manner, a painful reminder of the distance between them.

As the hours passed, Caspian’s drunkenness grew more pronounced. His movements became sluggish, his words slurred. “You... you’re my queen now,” he mumbled, leaning heavily against the edge of the bed. “We... we must fulfill our duty. An heir...” His kiss was clumsy, brushing against her nose before awkwardly landing on her mouth. The smell of wine was overwhelming, making Evelina gag.

Evelina stifled a grimace, forcing herself to focus. Caspian’s incoherence was her chance to take control. “My husband, as this is my first time, let’s take it slow,” she whispered, guiding him gently onto the bed. His kisses grew rougher, leaving clumsy bite marks on her neck. His hands roamed over her body, causing Evelina to freeze. This was not how she had envisioned this night.

“Adriana, I love you. Touch me the way I like,” he slurred, his voice filled with drunken affection. He grabbed Evelina’s hand, placing it on his manhood. Evelina tried not to vomit at the gesture. “Adriana, my love, more, more,” he urged before spilling his seed on her.

The mention of Adriana’s name twisted Evelina’s heart in ways she hadn’t anticipated. The hurt ran deeper than she expected. Disgust churned within her as she endured the intimate invasion.

Finally, Caspian’s eyes fluttered shut, his body going limp as he passed out. Evelina exhaled shakily, her chest tight with anxiety. She had no time to dwell on the emotions twisting inside her; she needed to finish the ruse.

Evelina arranged the blankets and pillows to mimic a night of shared passion. The final step was crucial. She retrieved a knife and made a small cut on her inner thigh. The sharp sting was brief, and her Lycan healing immediately began to close the wound.

Carefully, she smeared a bit of blood on the sheets and used the spilled seed to ensure the Royal Physician would notice.

With a final glance at Caspian’s unconscious form, Evelina wiped away the tears threatening to spill. She lay down beside him, feeling exposed and vulnerable. The weight of their nightmare future pressed heavily on her, robbing her of any semblance of rest.

Morning arrived far too quickly. Evelina stirred, Caspian still asleep beside her, utterly oblivious. His deep slumber stretched on, and she wondered how long he would remain like that. Unable to lie still any longer, she rose to freshen up.

The door creaked open, and the royal physician entered without hesitation, followed by Adriana. Evelina froze, a wave of anger surging through her. Adriana’s gasp filled the room as her eyes took in Evelina’s state of undress. Flushing with embarrassment, Evelina instinctively grabbed the sheet to cover herself. Fury boiled inside her.

“How dare you enter without knocking! These are the prince’s chambers, and my husband is still sleeping after such an exhausting evening!” Evelina snapped, her voice sharp.

The physician, unbothered by her anger, gave a slight bow. “Apologies, Your Highness, but it is my duty to check your... status. I can see your attire suggests certain things, but the inspection must be thorough.” He motioned toward Adriana. “I brought your maid so you wouldn’t feel uncomfortable.”

Adriana looked on the verge of tears, her gaze darting between Evelina and Caspian’s still form. Evelina’s heart ached with a fleeting sense of guilt, but she couldn’t show it. Not now.

“I was on my way to wash before breakfast, before you rudely barged in,” Evelina retorted, masking her anxiety with indignation. “Go ahead and do what you must.”

As the physician approached, Evelina’s pulse quickened. She hoped desperately that her ruse would hold, that Caspian would remember nothing, and that the evidence on the sheets and her body would suffice. The humiliation of this moment only added to the heavy burden she carried, but she couldn’t afford to falter now.

The Queen entered just as the physician completed his inspection. “Well? Is it done?” she asked.

“Yes, Your Majesty. She is no longer intact, and there is evidence of their consummation,” the physician reported, bowing at the Queen.

“Very well,” the Queen said, her tone indifferent. “Wake my son. Breakfast will be brought up shortly. Remember, your duties are far from over. You will be inspected daily to ensure the task is... fulfilled. I’m sure you’re exhausted, so wash up. We will be checking every day for your continued... fulfillment of duty.”

The weight of the Queen’s words settled heavily on Evelina. One week? How could she keep this up for one week?

###

Breakfast was brought up for them—a hearty spread designed to boost fertility: salmon on toast, eggs, and fresh berries. Evelina, famished from the long night, ate as much as she could, knowing they would be confined together for the foreseeable future.

Caspian awoke with groggy confusion, his eyes scanning the room as if trying to piece together the remnants of the previous night.

“Coffee—I need coffee,” he mumbled.

“There’s some right here,” Evelina pointed to the carafe on the bedside table.

“Am I supposed to pour it myself? Where are the servants?” His voice was edged with irritation.

Evelina's gaze hardened, her patience wearing thin. “Your mother has banned almost everyone from entering, so yes, you will have to do things on your own. But since you’re my husband, I’ll pour you some coffee if you’d like,” she added, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

Caspian grunted an acknowledgment. “So, did we… I mean, did we do our duty last night?”

“Yes, husband,” Evelina replied, the lie slipping off her tongue with unsettling ease. Was this her life now—lies and secrets?

Caspian frowned, his brow furrowing as he tried to remember. “Well, how was it?”

Evelina hesitated, unsure how to respond. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

“I mean, did you enjoy it? Did I? Honestly, I was too drunk to remember anything. You’ll have to fill in the blanks for me.”

Evelina studied his face, puzzled by his sudden concern. “The Royal Physician and your mother were here this morning. They said you fulfilled your duty, and that we have to continue... daily.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me. I’m not some circus animal to perform on demand. This is ridiculous. No offense, wife, but I was hoping for a one-time thing.”

“No offense taken, husband. The feeling is mutual. The less we have to deal with each other, the better. But your mother insists on this arrangement. The guards are stationed at the door, and we’re allowed only servants for breakfast, lunch, and dinner… and my maid, Adriana,” she added, her voice tinged with sadness.

“Adriana was here? She saw all of this?” Caspian’s eyes widened in realization, and he stopped himself from finishing the thought.

“I mean, why is your maid here and not my valet?”

Evelina’s expression softened slightly. “Adriana is here because she is my maid, and it is customary for her to assist me. Your valet... well, your mother’s orders are clear.”

Caspian sighed, rubbing his temples. “I suppose it doesn’t matter now. I just need to get through this week.”

Evelina nodded, her own sense of resignation matching his. “Yes, we both do. We’ll have to make the best of it.”

As they finished their breakfast in uneasy silence, Evelina couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of a long, uncomfortable journey.

Breakfast had barely concluded when the unexpected happened. The day was just beginning, and Evelina and Caspian were trying to adjust to the oppressive reality of their situation. The atmosphere in the room was heavy with unspoken tension.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside their chambers. The guards’ shouts and the clash of steel against steel grew louder. Evelina’s heart raced as she and Caspian exchanged worried glances.

“What’s happening?” Caspian asked, his voice tinged with alarm.

Before Evelina could answer, the door burst open, and a masked assassin, cloaked in dark garments, stormed into the room. The assassin’s eyes were cold and deadly as they fixed on Caspian and Evelina.

“Get out of here! Who are you?!” Evelina shouted, her voice steely with determination. She had been trained in self-defense, and the sight of the assassin—combined with the desperate need to protect Caspian—triggered her instincts.

The assassin lunged toward Caspian with a blade drawn. Evelina, driven by both fear and a deep-seated sense of duty, grabbed the ceremonial sword from the wall and rushed to Caspian’s side. With swift, precise movements, she engaged the assassin, parrying their attacks and blocking their attempts to reach Caspian.

The fight was intense and chaotic, but Evelina’s training paid off. She managed to disarm the assassin and, with a final, decisive strike, subdued them. The room fell silent as the assassin crumpled to the floor, the threat neutralized.

Caspian, still in shock, watched Evelina with wide eyes. “You… you saved me.”

Evelina, breathless and covered in sweat, nodded. “I had to. We need to get out of here.”

The commotion outside had drawn the attention of the remaining guards, who rushed in to secure the area. The Queen, alerted by the disturbance, arrived moments later, her face pale as she took in the scene.

“What happened here?” she demanded.

Evelina, still holding the sword, met her gaze with a mix of defiance and urgency. “An assassin attempted to kill Caspian. I intervened to save him.”

Queen Valeria’s eyes widened, and she glanced at Caspian, who was still recovering from the shock. “Is everyone alright?”

Caspian, regaining his composure, nodded. “Thanks to Evelina.”

Before the Queen could respond, Adriana hurried into the room, her face etched with concern. She immediately moved to Evelina’s side, checking her for any injuries with trembling hands.

“Evelina, are you alright?” Adriana’s voice was laced with worry, her eyes darting between Evelina and the subdued assassin.

“I’m fine, Adriana,” Evelina reassured her, though she noticed Adriana’s gaze lingering anxiously on Caspian. “But you need to be careful. It’s dangerous here.”

Adriana’s focus shifted to Caspian. “My lord, are you injured? You must be careful.”

The Queen’s sharp eyes narrowed as she observed Adriana’s reaction. “Adriana, you should return to your quarters. There’s no need for you to be in this danger.”

Evelina stepped forward, putting a protective hand on Adriana’s shoulder. “Adriana, please go. I’ll handle things here. We don’t need any more risk to your safety.”

Adriana hesitated, glancing back at Evelina with a mix of concern and reluctance. “But—”

“Go,” Evelina said firmly, her voice leaving no room for argument.

Adriana, looking conflicted, finally nodded and withdrew, her worry evident as she left the room. The Queen’s gaze softened slightly as she observed the exchange.

“Thank you for your intervention,” Queen Valeria said, turning her attention back to Evelina and Caspian. “Given the circumstances, it would be unwise to continue with the enforced confinement.”

Evelina felt a surge of relief but maintained her composure. “What will happen now?”

Queen Valeria sighed. “The assassin’s attack has disrupted the plan. For now, you and Caspian are free from the enforced week together. We’ll need to reassess the situation and ensure there are no further threats.”

Evelina and Caspian exchanged a look of shared relief. The immediate danger was over, but the uncertainty of their future loomed ahead.

As the Queen and the guards attended to the aftermath of the attack, Evelina and Caspian took a moment to process what had happened. The ordeal had not only freed them from the enforced confinement but also underscored the fragile nature of their position in the palace. Caspian looked at Evelina with a newfound appreciation, as if seeing her for the first time. The bravery and strength she had shown in saving his life had shifted something within him, revealing a depth of character he had not fully recognized before. She would be a good Queen, he thought.

Queen Valeria approached Evelina, her expression a mask of deep concern. “Evelina, I have troubling news. We received a message about your parents. The King and Queen were attacked on their way back to Crescent Keep. Their carriage was found abandoned with blood inside, but there are no signs of them or their guards. The situation looks dire.”

Evelina’s heart sank as the news struck her, her face blanching at the weight of the revelation. The Queen’s words felt like a cruel twist of fate, compounding the chaos of the day.

“Your Majesty,” Evelina’s voice wavered, “what should I do?”

“We will do everything in our power to find them,” the Queen assured, her tone softening. “But for now, focus on my son’s safety and your role here. We will keep you updated on any developments.” She then turned and left the room.

Evelina nodded, her resolve solidifying despite the shock. Caspian watched her, his concern deepening as he took in the gravity of the news and Evelina’s stoic response.

Evelina felt on the verge of collapse, overwhelmed by the thought of her parents and Luca. What had happened to them?