Episode 10
993 Words
Raina subtly turned her head to one side, shaking it with a hint of amusement before she stared at him shrewdly, a faint smile playing at her lips.
"Are you mad at me?" she asked, her voice laced with a touch of amusement.
"No," he curtly responded, not bothering to look at her.
Suppressing a smirk, Raina resisted the urge to provoke him further and instead growled lightly in frustration, paying no mind to Leia's scolding.
"I don't expect you to give me the silent treatment if you're unhappy about something I did in the past. It would be better if we could discuss this as adults rather than playing childish mind games and attempting to manipulate me into believing that I committed something truly terrible."
Ephrin remained silent for a while, his eyes fixed on her, seemingly pondering the weight of her words.
"Very well, Raina. Which aspect would you like to address? Perhaps the part where you regretted being my mate or the part where you failed to inform me about your ex. These aren't games I'm playing, Raina, just the disappointment I felt with your words. I don't generally keep quiet when I'm irritated. Just be grateful that I didn't react in my usual manner," he finally replied matter-of-factly.
Raina maintained eye contact for a moment longer before averting her gaze, biting back a sarcastic remark that she longed to throw at him.
"I think I'll stay in my room for the time being, thank you, My lord."
"Very well, princess. Call out if you need anything. I'll be in my room across from yours. Do shout if you need anything."
"I think I can manage."
"Very well then. I can arrange for the servants to bring you some food, or we can go downstairs to eat..."
"I don't have an appetite, to be honest, my lord. I believe I'll take a bath and go to bed. It's been a rough few days, and who knows what tomorrow will bring."
Ephrin nodded.
"As you wish. In that case, I bid you goodnight. The servant will bring you downstairs in the morning for breakfast."
With those final words, Ephrin turned abruptly and swiftly exited the room, firmly closing the door behind him.
In frustration, Raina growled as she walked into the room and threw herself angrily onto the bed.
True to her word, Raina remained in the room for the entire night, eventually drifting into a deep sleep on the luxuriously soft bed.
She was abruptly awakened by a sharp knock on the door, momentarily forgetting where she was.
"Raina, it's almost 10 AM. Do you want breakfast in your room or will you come down with us?" Aurora's bored voice came from the other side of the door.
Raina muttered a curse under her breath and quickly began untangling herself from the bed sheets.
"Coming! Just... give me a minute..." she called out.
By the time she opened the door, she was feeling a bit flustered.
Aurora and Arcadia greeted her, leaning casually against the opposite wall with wry smiles on their faces.
"You don't plan on locking yourself up all day, do you?" Aurora smirked mischievously, her eyes glimmering.
"I suppose I will if it helps me escape from the king," Raina replied, stepping away from the door and allowing Aurora and Arcadia to enter.
"Your first fight, huh?" Aurora chuckled.
"Don't worry, you two will reconcile when the time is right. But for now, let's get you dressed and take you to breakfast, hmm?" Arcadia said with a gentle smile.
Uncertain about her appetite, Raina reluctantly agreed to go downstairs with them, her stomach rumbling impatiently.
They enjoyed their breakfast in the grand dining room, with the cook having prepared a hearty brunch consisting of bagels, eggs, bacon, sausage, and a stack of toast.
As Raina lifted her fork to her mouth, her phone buzzed incessantly, breaking her concentration.
Frowning, she reached for her phone and checked the caller ID, scowling as Elsa's name appeared on the screen.
"Can't that annoying girl take a hint?" she muttered, rejecting the call decisively.
"Jared?" Ephrin questioned curiously, causing the triplets to nearly choke on their food.
Raina suppressed the sarcastic responses that arose within her and forced a smile onto her face.
"No, our Alpha's daughter..." Raina growled as her phone began buzzing insistently once more.
"What do you want, Elsa?" Raina answered the call.
"Now now, Raina, that's not the way to speak to your Alpha's daughter. You're one of my subjects, after all," Elsa simpered.
The sound of Elsa's voice sent shivers down Raina's spine.
"You never call just to chat, Elsa. Spit it out. What do you want? I don't have time for your games."
"Fine. You're no fun, you know. Jared got off easy by getting rid of you," she chuckled.
"Look, I only called to invite you to the engagement rituals. I want you there," Elsa snorted.
"I have no interest in witnessing you flaunting my ex. I thought I made it clear that I wanted you to leave me alone. Wasn't I explicit enough the first time?"
Elsa giggled mockingly on the other end of the line.
"Well, think about what might happen to your brother in training if you don't come..." Elsa trailed off.
Raina's face paled slightly, her eyes widening. Suddenly, she felt nauseous.
"You wouldn't dare..." she hissed furiously.
"Oh, yes, honey. I can," Elsa retorted.
After a brief pause, Raina gritted her teeth and ground out through clenched jaws, "Fine. When and where?"
"Oh, I'm so thrilled that you accepted our invitation. I'll see you tomorrow evening at 5, in the palace ballroom, of course. It's the only place big enough to accommodate so many people for such a joyous occasion."
Elsa simpered.
Raina snorted and hung up, angrily placing her phone on the breakfast table.
Accalia raised an eyebrow.
"You don't have to go if you don't want to."
- Writer
