The Queen's Relic

Chapter 3: Into the Capital

I felt a gentle hand caressing my hair. I lie on my back, a comforting warmth on the back of my head. The smell of musk and vanilla enveloping the air.

I opened my eyes. I saw a man, looking outside the window of a carriage, with his hand absent-mindedly touching my hair. A sad feeling washed over me. I was removed from the pack.

His fingers were long, and I watched as he started outside, eyes devoid of emotions. He looked solemn.

"How are you feeling?" He asked, and that made me instantly embarrassed.

He shifted his gaze from the windows and looked down at me. He smiled. Unlike his solemn look seconds ago, he looked happy now.

"Nauseous." I grimaced.

This is my first time riding a carriage and I'm getting motion sickness. He laughed and reached out to my side for a bag.

"Here, take this. This will calm you down."

I sat up and reached for the medicine in his hand. I put it in my mouth. It was sweet. I like it.

"Are you sure this isn't poison?" I asked.

He laughed. "Aren't you supposed to ask that first before eating it?"

Another surge of embarrassment filled me. I have lost count of how many times I was embarrassed.

"It's safe. I had it especially made." He added, and I was relieved.

I looked outside the window. I think we have traveled far already. I can no longer see towns, but trees.

"Are you hurting?" He asked.

"No." But the betrayal did hurt.

I sighed. Wait. I don't remember being cut off from the pack. I don't even remember how I got in this carriage. Wasn't I in the Alpha's throne room?

I looked up at him in confusion. He raised his brows and smiled, obviously expecting my confusion.

"You passed out. I carried you here." He casually said.

I remained silent. When did I lose consciousness? It is true, seeing that I woke up on his lap, but I don't remember why. I closed my eyes and tried to feel the bond of the pack, only to realize they were no longer there. Or to be precise, I am no longer part of the bond. Right now, I am a rogue.

"You will be fine. Being in the capital suits you better," he said as he opened a book.

"I don't think you have the right to decide that," I retorted.

He laughed and ruffled my hair. I think this is pointless. Arguing and demanding to be returned to my pack is pointless. No one wants me there, and I'm on my way to another pack, and this man is oblivious of my protest.

"I'm Aira." I said.

He hummed a response while reading. I waited a few minutes for him to respond with his name, but he seemed to have forgotten that I exist.

"And you are?" I asked.

I listened to the sound of the page being flipped. What? He was so interested in me to the extent of removing me from my pack and now he doesn't want to give a care. Streaks of light illuminated his face. I noticed that he had eyes of deep ruby that complimented his ashen, almost white hair.

"You can touch it." He finally voiced out to which had me shocked.

"Excuse me, what?" I asked.

"I said," he dropped the book to the side and leaned closer to me, "you can touch me."

My eyes widened and suddenly felt hot. I wouldn't dare to touch a man. That is ridiculous. Has he gone insane? I was merely asking for his name, not for him.

He leaned in even closer; his face almost inches away from mine. He looked at me directly in the eye, causing me to back away. I backed away as much as possible, until I found myself cornered. Unfortunately, the carriage is too small, and any attempts to further the distance between us are futile.

He's hand traveled to my arms. I yelped and stiffened; goosebumps traveling to my skin as he touched me. His hand stopped at the back of mine; fingers slowly intertwining mine. I watched as he slowly lifted my hand and put on his hair.

"There." He cheerfully said.

Is he urging me to pet him? I hesitantly patted his head. I looked at him, confused. What just happened?I felt all that tension all for a head pat?

"I'm Lucian." He said.

I started at him and nodded absent-mindedly. I no longer care what your name is, as I am in a state of shock. A normal person can simply answer the question and introduce himself normally, but I'm guessing not him.

The carriage halted. I heard footsteps coming from the back and saw the man that accompanied the prince during the visit. The door opened. I instantly removed my hand from him.

"We have arrived." He extended his hand towards me.

I stared at it blankly. I guess I'm fine going out of the carriage myself. I dodged his hand and jumped out of the carriage.

I was instantly awestruck. We have arrived in the Capital's Palace. It is twice as large than Atraxia. Am I living in this huge palace?! For some reason, I feel giddy. The guards both bowed when Lucian walked towards them. He stopped and looked back.

"Are you coming?"

He signaled for me to come. I nodded and followed them behind.

We walked for a few minutes. I was glancing and looking up and around at the doors and hallways of the palace. It is even more complicated than Atraxia. I am starting to worry if I could find my way around once I've started working. Palace guards bowed and smiled at me, which caught me by my surprise. I think people around here are nice.

I could hear music being played. I don't where it is coming from but it is resonating through the palace walls. Some doors have intricacies of gold and humongous. The privilege of a prince is on another level compared to the rich.

We stopped by one of the humongous doors.

"Reeve, will accompany you to your chambers." Lucian turned and patted my head.

The door opened and he disappeared. I turned to Reeve expectantly.

"Come. We will descend to the maid's quarters."

I followed Reeve quietly. He looked stern, a person who took everything seriously and performed to the best of his ability. It is an excellent quality for a butler, but a hard option to approach.

We headed down the stairs and I was led to a door. Reeve opened it and I saw the bunk beds aligned.

"This is your quarter. From now on, you are His Highness' personal maid. You will come to wake him up, feed him, dress him, clean his quarters, and make sure to let him have enough rest." Reeve started explaining.

I stopped myself from laughing. The work sounded like I was supposed to be his mother. Can't the prince do that himself? I can deal with his quarters.

"Clothes are on the bedside table. Change into them and you may start this lunch." He looked at his watch.

"Now then, if you'll excuse me." He turned and walked around.

I sighed and entered the room. I just noticed that I wasn't actually carrying anything. I came empty-handed. I went to the last bunk bed and checked the clothes. It's a dress. With a squared cut neckline, a bit puffy shoulders, and a maroon skirt. It makes me feel like I'm from old people.

I dropped the dress and headed to the bathroom and washed myself before fitting the dress. To my surprise, it is in my size. I looked at the clock and saw that it was almost lunch, so I went out.

I was lightheaded. There are too many hallways and I can't see any servants around that I could ask for assistance. Is the palace that big that I can rarely meet people in my league?

I roamed around, and opened casual doors, hoping one of them was my destination. Reeve forgot to tell me where Lucian's chamber was.

I opened a door and caught a glimpse of a huge painting. I paused. It was covered in red fabric. I knew it was painting, for the room only had paintings in them and no other furniture in sight. The room is dimly lit.

"What are you doing?"

I yelped and turned around. I found Lucian standing behind me. He looked between me and the door, before slowly closing it; the sound of the lock clicked.

"I was just looking for your room." I blurted out.

"You're very eager to serve me, I see," he said.

I defensively shook my head in an effort to deny his obviously wrong assumption. He laughed. I saw him holding a flower, a white rose. He reached out and tucked the flower into my hair. I looked at him. He adjusted my hair and fixed a few strays of hair on the back of my hair, leaving a trace of fuzzy emotions in my heart.

"Come, I'll show you around town." He entwined his fingers around mine and pulled me along.