บท 21: ACCEPTING MY DUTY

I woke up to tear stained cheeks and an empty bed space the next morning. I sat up and realized I had slept in my dress and the corset. I must really be getting used to it, I muse with a smile as I got up from the bed. I was about to undress when I heard a knock on the door. It opened revealing Yasimin's chestnut hair.

"Good morning your highness!" Yasmin greeted cheerfully.

I returned her greeting with a smile. "Morning Yasmin."

"You've been called to breakfast." Yasmin informed me and I froze at that.

If I've been summoned to breakfast it means Ivan is around and going to breakfast also means facing some other guests and I'm not sure I'm ready for that, yet. "Actually Yasmin, if it's alright I'll just have breakfast in my room."

"I'm afraid that will be impossible your highness." Yasmin told me clasping her hand in front of me, "You are to have breakfast with the king and the people of the court. After that you will see them off as they go back to their homes and also escort the King as he goes to see the human council, telling them of his marriage to you."

"Oh." I said feeling downcast already, "I guess I really have a busy day today."

Yasmin chuckled lightly. "Well, being a queen comes with many responsibilities."

"Don't I know it." I let out an exasperated sigh.

I closed my eyes and flopped down on the bed. I would give anything to be back in the woods back home with Blue and a book in my hand. I thought I could do this but I don't think I can. The parties, the dresses, the crown, the snobby people of the court... Nope, I can't do it, I just can't.

"You thinking of giving up?"

I got up from the bed only to find Yasmin looking at me. "How did you know that?" I asked in surprise.

"Wouldn't take a genius to find out." Yasmin scoffed at me, "Besides you've got the same look Blue gets anytime I tell him he can't have more lamb racks." She added and I frowned at her.

I let out a small sigh. "You are right I am thinking of giving up." I admitted softly.

"And why is that?" Yasmin asked and I arched a brow up at her.

"Isn't it obvious? I don't belong in your world Yasmin."

Yasmin let out a scoff at my admission. "Darling, don't you think we know that? Everyone knows you don't belong here but they can't do anything about it, you know why?" She asked me and I waited for her to answer, "Because the alpha chose you himself. He chose you for a reason and it's time you let people see what that reason is. But if you want to continue throwing a pity party and asking yourself where you belong, then I fear you'll never belong anywhere at all."

I knew there was some truth in what Yasmin said. If I continue to question where I belong, I'll never belong anywhere. Besides, I'm sure that's what everyone is expecting me to feel. I'll feel so miserable and I'll have no choice than to go home. Not like I have a home to go to anyway, my home is here now and it's time I start to feel at home.

"So?" Yasmin asked, "What's it going to be? Your highness." She added with a knowing look on her face.

I smiled at her and stood up. "Fetch me the fanciest of all dresses and make me look like the queen that I am."

Yasmin gave me a smile of approval and bowed at me. "Very well, your highness!" She said and clapped her hands, immediately Faye and Esme entered the room.

They got my bath ready and the bathroom in Ivan's room was a lot bigger than mine. It was also beautiful too, everything was in white and gold. It had white walls and gold vines were designed on the walls. The bathtub was in gold colour and it was big enough to fit in five people.

I took my time in the the bathtub, the water was warm and relaxing. After I was done, I got out of the bathtub and Faye wrapped my body with a towel. When the water on my body had been dried off, Esme oiled my body and brought my undergarments for me to wear.

Yasmin had already laid out my dress for me to wear. A light blue shimmery gown. It was long sleeved but the sleeves were slit at the sides, exposing my forearms. When I wore the dress, it hugged my figure but it fell down all the way to my legs. I wore a pair of white heels that had butterflies on the strap.

Yasmin helped in fixing my hair and when she was done, she produced a silver crown with white crystals around it. I stared at myself in the mirror and smirked at the mirror. Well, hello there Queen Arianne! I thought as I smiled proudly at my reflection.

"This way your highness." Yasmin ushered me and I stood up from my seat.

I was about to leave when I suddenly remembered something. "Where's Blue?"

"He's right outside your highness, he just had his bath and he has been well groomed too." Faye informed me.

I gave a small smile in gratitude. "Thank you Faye." I told her and she smiled back at me, "Alright then, let's go!"

I ordered and stepped outside of the bedroom. I met Blue outside and true to what Faye said he looked well groomed. I also noticed he had a blue collar around his neck and it had the kingdom's crest on it. I smiled as I approached Blue and stroked his fur before I began walking off to the direction of the dining room with Blue walking right beside and the maids following closely.

I could hear voices coming from inside the dining room as I got nearer. The guards pushed the doors open and I stepped inside where I met Ivan and the people of the court already eating their breakfast.

Raising my head high, I walked across the room and went to take my seat beside Ivan. I waited patiently as the servants came to serve my food and fill my cup with wine. When they were done, I began eating my food. I could feel Ivan's gaze on me but I didn't look at him. Instead I continued eating.

Somewhere from across the table, someone cleared their throat. "It's nice of you to join us your highness, we've been expecting you."

I looked up only to find the woman who was smoking pipe at the party yesterday. I smirked as I looked at her "I'm sure it is, Georgina." I added her name peering at her from the rim of cup. I watched in satisfaction as her eyes widened at the use of her name.

Beside Georgina was her companion who was with her last night. I watched as she shifted nervously in her seat. "It's nice to see you are doing well your highness."

"Why thank you lady..." I trailed off.

"Lady Charlene." She introduced herself and I smiled at her but didn't say anything and continued eating. "You...er...look beautiful your highness." Charlene added when I didn't say anything.

I let out a chuckle. "Oh please Charlene, flattery will get you nowhere."

Charlene's face grew red at that. "Pardon me if that what it sounded like your highness but I was just being honest."

"Honesty?" I scoffed carefully dropping my spoon to look at Charlene who was beginning to look uncomfortable same with Georgina. I was also aware of the fact that everyone's attention were on us now, so I continued.

"You want to talk to me about honesty, really Charlene?" I asked arching my brow up in disbelief. "Okay fine, how about you be really honest about how you think I won't last a week and Ravenna is more suitable for a Luna?" I threw at her and I watched as she and Georgina paled at that, their eyes flashing nervously to Ivan who was fixing them with a hard glare.

"Your highness we didn't..."

"Surely you misunderstood us, we would never do..."

Charlene and Georgina stuttered trying to come up with a best excuse but I waved them off.

"Oh don't worry, it's fine." I said with a laugh and they relaxed at that. "But I'd appreciate it if in the nearest future you refrain from speaking such slanderous gossips. That goes everyone of you_" I said fixing everyone with a pointed look. "If I find out anyone has been questioning my duty as the queen I'll make sure I make an example out of that person. I may be human but I was chosen by your alpha and that means you should all respect his choice! Is that understood?" I asked and everyone looked at each other nervously.

"I ASKED IF YOU ALL UNDERSTAND ME?" I yelled slamming the table and Ivan growled at his subjects glowing his eyes red and they immediately bowed their heads at me.

"Yes your highness!" Everyone murmured at me.

I smirked at them and began stroking Blue's fur. "Good, now you may continue your breakfast." I told them and they bowed their heads at me before they picked up their cutleries and began eating.

Aurora and Kiran shot me a smile of approval from across the table which I returned. I could also see Yasmin smiling at me before she bowed her head at me. I smiled at her and I was about to continue eating when I felt eyes on me. I turned only to see Ivan looking at me with curiosity in his grey eyes. I arched a brow up at him but he just smiled at me, shaking his head before he went back to his breakfast.

I smiled at him before I leaned back in my seat and stared at the table with pride on my face, clearly feeling pleased with myself.