"Who might you be?" Drevon asked.
"We're your court, my liege, and we've come personally to welcome you. I'm Tarn Vale of House Vale."
"I don't see the Dowager or the princess," Drevon said. "Word of my arrival was sent weeks prior by my Gamma, whom I sent ahead, or was the message not passed?"
"We received the word, my liege."
"And?"
Tarn said nothing, just maintaining the same bowing pose. I sneaked a look at Drevon, and oddly, there was a knowing smirk on his lips, almost as if he'd anticipated this.
The Dowager was Drevon's mother. I pondered why she didn't come to welcome her son, whom she hadn't seen for years.
"We ask for your immediate presence in the throne hall."
"How dare you?!" It was Garrick who interjected sharply. "We have ridden for days under this hellish rain. The monarch needs his rest, and yet you dare summon him to court?"
"We're simply following protocol, as per the Dowager's orders." Tarn finally lifted his gaze.
I felt my body still when his attention lingered on me before averting to Drevon.
"The transfer of the reign should be done immediately."
"Tarn, never heard of you," Drevon spoke, ignoring his words of importance.
"I took over my father's position years ago. He served the previous monarch."
"Then you haven't been acquainted with the necessities involving your duties."
"Pardon, my liege?" Tarn straightened his back, face morphed in puzzlement.
"You have not acknowledged my wife's presence," Drevon voiced in a tone that sliced through the air. "I do not mind you keeping me in the rain to adhere to the Dowager's orders. Regardless, I will not tolerate you keeping my wife."
Startled by his words, I turned my head to Drevon, a look I couldn't describe pierced his eyes.
I don't know why, but his words got my pulse racing, maybe because I didn't expect him to consider me under such critical matters.
Drevon unmounted his horse, and everyone followed. He clutched my waist and helped me down, adjusting my hood.
"Forgive me, Eloise, but we must part ways shortly. Garrick will escort you to my wing, stay there, and under no circumstances should you leave without a word from me, understand?"
"Is something wrong?"
"I need you to trust me, can you do that?" he asked with expectancy in his eyes.
I said nothing, only nodding with furrowed brows, the entire situation confusing me further.
"My liege," Garrick uttered behind, annoyance clawing at his tone. "I'm meant to stay by your side."
"You'll stay with Eloise until I get back."
"But—"
Drevon threw a look over his shoulder. "This is not a request but an order."
There was a pause, but Garrick replied. "As you wish, my liege."
Drevon offered me a soft smile. "Go now, I'll be back soon."
The entire days of our journey, I've wanted nothing more than to be free of Drevon, yet when it came to that moment, I found myself wavering.
I didn't want to leave him.
I swallowed hard as I walked over to Garrick with Talia following behind. I couldn't resist casting a quick look over my shoulder. Drevon watched me until I stepped through the grand doors.
~•~
Garrick led us to the monarch's wing. The entire place was dark, and the only source of light was the occasional lightning. Talia and I followed closely and tried to keep up with Garrick's long strides until we got to a room.
I tried to ignore how spacious the bed chamber was, but it was hard not to; everything, and I mean everything, was twice the size, and it screamed a luxury that the estate of Beloria never had.
"Is that all?" Garrick asked the men who brought the last of the boxes in.
"There seems to be tension amongst them," Talia whispered to me.
I thought I was the only one who noticed. Drevon hasn't been here for years, and the moment he comes back, he's summoned to the court. I do not know about royal duties, but there was something off about it.
"You can ask me your question directly, your grace, I can hear you whispering."
Talia and I flinched, and Garrick pinned us down with his hazel eyes. Dear gods, he didn't look too happy, and he was not afraid to show it.
I forced a smile. "I'm sure it doesn't concern me."
"But it does concern you," he countered, displeased.
I suddenly flashed to Drevon's words about coming to conquer Beloria, but changing his mind at the last minute.
"My lady, we should get you changed out of these wet clothes. Sir Garrick, if you would excuse us and—"
I stepped forward. "Why was the court acting in such a manner?" I cut to the chase.
"You of all people should know why."
"I see," I said in a shifty tone. "The monarch brought home a human bride."
I wasn't stupid enough not to know that, but this put me in a difficult situation. Our marriage was not accepted. Drevon married me on a whim.
I was worried about living the rest of my life in Lycan's domain, but after that day Drevon made such a declaration, I dreaded another set of troubles.
I've got a bad feeling about this.
Suddenly, we heard footsteps and Garrick leaned off the wall in alert.
Two women appeared, dressed no less in a maid's attire, but I would be a fool to call it simply that due to how elegantly they were clothed.
How on earth do they separate their status if they are dressed so nobly?
"The Dowager requests the presence of the human," One of them voiced.
"I'm afraid that cannot happen." Garrick stepped in between us. "She needs rest after the long days of travel."
"Are you disobeying the orders of the Dowager?" she questioned sharply.
Garrick hesitated but replied. "No, but I'm following the orders of the monarch."
"You forget your place, sir Garrick!"
"As do you!" he growled.
Crap! This will take a far more drastic turn if I don't do something. Tarn mentioned that Drevon was summoned to the court to be given a transfer of reign, which meant that currently, the Dowager was in control.
Garrick might get in trouble. But why do I care? I should just stand here and let them have at it for all I care.
Yet, I did the complete opposite when my mouth moved. "It's alright, sir Garrick, I'll meet the Dowager."