All Kings favorite Human

The Rejection

AGATHA'S POV

Amelia and Penelope relax on the big, royal bed, chatting loudly about how handsome their soon-to-be husband is. Meanwhile, I am on my knees on the floor, folding and packing their beautiful gowns and precious belongings. Tomorrow, we are set to depart for the Mermaid Kingdom. My stepsisters as the esteemed brides-to-be of the revered king, and I as their devoted servant.

I have endured their torment for years, hoping to get away from them one day. Now my father made sure I am stuck with them forever.

Everyone jumps when the door suddenly opens. We were not expecting anyone, but Lady Hellen strides in.

"Good evening," she greets and my stepsisters quickly sit up on the bed.

"Congratulations for being chosen as the esteemed brides of the mighty King Atticus," she commends my stepsisters who smile proudly. "Our generous emperor has requested that we provide you with our finest wines to celebrate this big accomplishment. But first I need your stepsister to come with me. King Atticus wishes to speak with her."

A jolt of shock shoots through me. My stepsisters appear dumbfounded as well. Why would the Mermaid King seek to speak with me? I didn't do anything at the dinner to warrant his attention.

"What does King Atticus wish to speak with our useless stepsister?" Amelia questions in a worried tone. "Shouldn't we be the one speaking with him since we are his brides?"

"The Mermaid King has a private matter he wishes to discuss with her. It has nothing to do with you two." Lady Hellen expounds.

My stepsisters appears even more astounded as they gaze at me with puzzled looks.

"I will escort her to the King's throne room and return with the wine," Lady Hellen says gesturing at me to follow her out.

I can feel my stepsister's curious gazes on me as I set down the buddle of clothes and follow lady Hellen out.

I too wish I knew why I, a despised servant, would get summoned by the Mermaid king. My heart is throbbing violently inside my chest that I worry I may faint even before we get there.

"May I ask if I am in trouble with the king?" I ask lady Hellen who is walking fast ahead of me.

"I have not been informed of the matter he wishes to speak with you." She answers and I nod.

We walk down several hallways and take a turn to the right and approach a door with a massive statue of Emporer Caspian. Probably the throne room.

Lady Hellen pushes the doors open and the same bewitching scent of the Mermaid king invades my nostrils. I allow myself to breathe deeper. Hellen does not seem bothered by his unique scent. Am I the only one that can smell it?

Lady Hellen gestures at me to go ahead and walk in alone. My stomach churns as I take steps into the spacious chamber.

I stop at the threshold as my eyes fall upon the two figures seated close the throne. King Atticus and Emporer Caspian.

Just like the yesterday I feel this strange, overwhelming urge to get close to King Atticus.

"Did they not teach you any manners?" Emporer Caspian snarls.

Ooh! I had forgotten about the act of bowing before the kings. I have in fact been staring at his brother's face disrespectfully since I walked in.

I lower my gaze and bow my head, attempting to maintain my composure in front of them. "Your majesties."

"I still don't believe the cursed thing is my mate," I hear King Atticus mutter and I look up instantly.

So it's true. I am his mate! I was right.

"I. . . can feel the mate bond." I affirm in a shaky, anxious voice but the look on his handsome face tells me the feeling is not mutual. Does he not want me?

"Don't bother celebrating. I have extremely no intention of making a cursed human like you my queen," He states, his voice laced with disgust. His brother smiles approvingly.

"But... but I am your mate," I plead. "I feel the bond between us." I plead.

"Surely you do not think that you're befitting in any way to be my brother's wife. A beautiful princess like your stepsisters is the least he was expecting his queen to be, not a cursed woman," Emporer Caspian expresses on his brothers behalf.

"Tell me your name?" my mate demands. "Speak!"

"A-gatha."

"I, King Atticus Thaddeus, ruler of the seas, hereby reject you, Agatha, as my mate and queen," he states in the coldest of voices.

The pain that tears through me is unbearable. I feel like my heart is being crushed into pieces. I gasp and clench my fists, trying suppress the excruciating pain.

"Why are you crying? My brother is mated to an ugly, cursed creature. He is the one supposed to be shedding tears," Emporer Caspian spits. "The mate bond is a disgrace to his nobility. You must not speak of it to anyone, understand?"

Why would he think I would tell this horror to anyone? Who would I tell anyway?

"I have no desire to speak of it," I try to hold back my tears bitting down on my lip but they flow out.

"Leave!" King Atticus commands.

I rush out of the throne room, my chest heaving with sobs. It hurts so much and I don't know how to stop the pain. People stare at my tear stained face as I hurry down the long hallways and make my way back to the guest quarters. What was the point of being mated to someone who wouldn't accept me?

All I want right now is to go somewhere private and break apart in peace.

Back into the guest room, I see my stepsisters are already asleep, sprawled out on the large bed. I grab my thick coat and lay down on the floor next to the bed, thankful that the plush carpet feels soft beneath me.