章 16: The Villain And Her Fears (III)

Gulping at his orders, Genevieve stared at the food in front of her. Placed before her were plates of Stew, bread, cereal, and meat. Her stomach growled in hunger, but she hesitated to reach for the food. She had heard stories of kings poisoning their enemies.

Until now, the only time she had eaten was the morning of her wedding, and the rest of the time when she was with Maximilian in the carriage, she had been terrified, forgetting to even eat. The only thing she took was the water he had offered her back in the carriage, nothing else.

Maximilian noticed her hesitance, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. "Don't worry, Genevieve. I wouldn't poison you," he said, his voice dripping with mirth. "After all, you're far too valuable to me alive."

"Your Majesty, I-I–"

Genevieve's eyes widened when she saw him lean forward, reaching for a piece of bread. Too late. He already took a bite, chewing it slowly and deliberately, staring unwaveringly into her eyes.

"You see…" Maximilian continued, "I have an interesting plan for you, Genevieve. And poisoning you was never part of it."

Genevieve's heart pounded in her chest as she watched Maximilian take another bite of bread, his eyes fixed on her. The air between them was charged with tension, like a storm brewing in the distance.

"A p-plan?" she asked, her voice quivering slightly. "What kind of plan?"

Maximilian smiled a slow, predatory smile that made her blood run cold.

"Don't worry, Genevieve. It's my little secret. But you'll find out soon enough," he said, his voice like honey and poison.

"Eat," he said, his voice strangely gentle but commanding. "You must keep your strength up if you are to remain my bride."

"Yes, Your Majesty," she said, her voice soft and low.

Slowly, Genevieve shifted to the edge of the bed to the place where the food was placed. She took a piece of bread from the plate, gently putting it into her mouth.

Maximilian leaned back, watching as Genevieve ate, his eyes never leaving her face.

Maximilian watched as Genevieve took her first bite, a small smile playing on his lips. "See? That wasn't so bad, was it?" he said, his voice low and soothing. "I'm not the monster you think I am, Genevieve. I certainly know how to feed my guests."

'Feed them with pain….at least' He thought the last part to himself.

Genevieve kept her gaze fixed on her plate, saying nothing as she ate another bite of stew. The food was good, hearty, and warming, and for a moment, she let herself forget where she was.

Genevieve ate slowly, as her eyes were lowered from his gaze. The stew was rich and savory, the bread warm and fresh. But with each bite, her nerves only grew more taut.

Genevieve took another bite of stew, her eyes flicking to Maximilian's face. He watched her intently, his eyes glittering in the candlelight.

"You seem to have quite an appetite," he said, a smile playing on his lips. "I hope you're leaving room for dessert."

Genevieve froze, a shiver running down her spine. She was sure she heard something menacing in his words, a hint of danger that sent her heart racing.

Maximilian saw her reaction, and his smile widened.

"Don't worry, Genevieve," he said, his voice dripping with false sweetness. "It is only a thought. Although..." he trailed off, his eyes narrowing. "With the way you've been eyeing me, I'm starting to wonder if I might also be on the menu tonight."

Genevieve's eyes widened. How could he say that...was he food? She wanted to protest, to tell him that he was a misunderstanding, but the words died in her throat.

Maximilian chuckled softly, the sound low and predatory. "Y-you are not food. Y-your M-majesty."

"Certainly. I am the butcher and not the meat." He responded.

Maximilian watched Genevieve eat, the tension in the room becoming more at his words. His words. However, it got worse when the king switched questions.

"Tell me about your life in Alexandria," he said, his voice soft and curious. "What was it like growing up in the palace?"

Genevieve almost choked on her food at the unexpected question. Why was h-he asking?

"It was...different," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"How?" He inquired further with a predatory gaze.

"I was always watched, always guarded. I never had a moment to myself." She could only utter those words from her past experiences.

"And yet, here you are, in the heart of my kingdom, alone and unguarded," Maximilian said, his voice low and dangerous. "It must be quite a change for you, don't you think?"

Genevieve felt a shiver run through her body. She knew he was playing with her, like a cat with a mouse, but she couldn't bring herself to stop eating. She forced herself to take another bite, trying to ignore the dread that was building in her chest.

"Y-yes, it's a change," she said, her voice shaking slightly.

Maximilian's eyes narrowed at her words, and for a moment, Genevieve felt a flicker of fear in her chest. But he nodded, almost as if he understood.

"I can imagine," he said, his voice deep. "It must have been suffocating, to be treated like a precious object, something to be guarded and protected at all costs," Maximilian commented sarcastically….knowing his words were far from reality.

On the other hand, Genevieve was praying to the Messiah so that the king wouldn't ask about her identity, because if he did…she certainly would not know what to say.

Genevieve could only nod, her mouth full of food. She had a feeling he was being deliberate with his question.

"So, tell me, Genevieve," Maximilian continued, breaking the silence. "What do you know about my kingdom?"

Genevieve swallowed nervously, taking a sip of water to moisten her throat. "N-not much, Your Majesty," she said, her voice a whisper. "I have only heard things from people talking."

"Things like what?" Maximilian asked, leaning forward, his eyes glittering in the candlelight.

Genevieve's mouth instantly turned dry, even after taking water. "T-that y-you are a...a p-powerful king, Your M-majesty. That your kingdom is rich and prosperous."

"Is that all?" At this point Maximilian looked nothing less than a demon, haunting a person's soul. The question he asked caused nothing but terror to Genevieve, knowing that if she were to reply, her words would be negative.

Genevieve hesitated, biting her lip. She knew those stories, dark stories. And his greatness was the least of the things she had heard of him.

However, just when she thought he would press her for an answer, she saw the king stand up from his seat, pushing the chair back to its original position.

He smiled villainously, "At this point, I think you might choke on your food if I keep up with the interrogation. That's the last thing I intend for to happen, Genevieve."

"Eat more, Genevieve. You will need your strength," he continued a wicked gleam in his eye. "Tomorrow shall be another day."

Suddenly, Maximilian began advancing towards her, his shadow falling over her like a shroud. Genevieve, not prepared for this, immediately shut her eyes.

Maybe she was expecting to feel his hand squishing her throat, but all she felt was the king lightly flick her forehead "Until then, get some rest, dear princess." He whispered menacingly.

Maximilian started to walk away, his black fur coat flagged behind him, exuding the aura of the worst villain ever. Somewhere in the middle, Maximilian paused, whispering to himself, "We are yet to start, Genevieve."

When she opened her eyes again, he was already out of the door, shutting it close with a bang. And for the first time since she woke up, Genevieve breathed in relief.