2. Pawn Or Game!

Marona's POV 

Laurence and I met at a very interesting event where I was volunteering for mental health awareness and he was funding the campaign with a famous politician. 

I liked him and his way of dealing with things so I approached him. Luckily, we got connected with each other effortlessly and then he proposed to me for marriage after two years. I was the happiest girl in the world because I found my love. 

He helped me inside the car and I smiled at him. He is not much of a talker and prefers to keep conversation short but I don't mind because he is always sensible and whatever he says, I agree with that. 

We have had a beautiful and peaceful marriage of six months now. Maybe because he is hardly home and always travels for his 'Business'. The business about which I am not much aware but I have caught a glimpse of it and I would prefer to stay away from it. 

I don't care what he does, his love and respect is enough for me. 

I looked at him and he was busy on the phone, I scooted closer to him and rested my head on his shoulder. 

He smiled and continued his work. 

Soon we reached the venue and I took a deep breath. Like a gentleman Laurence gave me his arm to hold on as we walked inside through flashes of cameras. 

I entered and released a sigh. Same flashy event where people are present just to achieve their goals and play politics. Parties like these help to make strong connections with wealthy people and I know Laurence is here for that, that's the only motive. 

After greeting a few people together, he excused himself just as always and that's what I hate about parties. I feel lonely and trapped among the foxes. The boredom kills me and the annoying thing is, I can't leave without Laurence who takes forever in talking to people who are 'Important'. 

After grabbing the drink, I decided to admire the hall which has a gothic vibe just like my gown which is black with a mermaid fit. 

People here are not interesting but thankfully the architecture is. 

"Hello, Mrs. Delgado!"

I heard an extra sugary voice and tried to act like I didn't hear her. 

Fuck, this woman is everywhere to make me scratch my hair out. 

"Mrs. Laurence?"

She sang in her fake voice like that would please me. It's so annoying.

Releasing a sigh, I turned around and with a fake smile on my lips.

"Ohh! Hi." 

Not like I can't fake it, I do whenever is needed. Especially when it's in Laurence's favour, I have to be a good wife because this party seems important to him 

"I saw you ignoring me."

She grinned awkwardly, like I care. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. 

"Of course not, Mrs. Crasta... How dare I?"

I am not mean to people but she is really annoying and doesn't take the hint. She always approaches me with a new business proposal and offers a partnership which she is currently doing. 

I am not against it but I am a doctor and I have no interest in business and considering Laurence's background, I am sure that she is not doing any good in her business. Everything is just a facade. 

"Well, I see Mr. Laurence built his connections strong. He is always in business. You have got an ambitious husband."

She praised but I can sense the jealousy behind it. 

"Yeah but that can be tiring sometimes, isn't it?..."

I forced a smile.

"I wish I could marry someone twice my age who is super rich. Just like you did, you are such an inspiration."

She knows that I insulted her but still she laughed it off. 

"You are so funny!... Anyways, I have an interesting business proposal for you... I am___"

Here she is again.

"Mrs. Crasta, I forgot to make an important call... I'll find you again."

I interrupted her and walked away. 

It feels bad to ignore her like this but I don't have any other rescue. 

I wish, Laurence could have been with me to tackle these opportunists around me. They know that my husband is from a powerful family and I can be beneficial for them but I refuse to be a scapegoat for anyone. 

I hate business politics and I am better out of it, no matter how well I can predict and tackle it. 

This is why I hate these parties so much. I am just standing like a showpiece in the middle of people. 

"The gown goes with your emerald eyes and brunette hair."

I heard that silky voice and turned around. 

She is standing in front of me in her slender figure which is breathtaking. We have almost the same height but I am curvy and she is slim. Her blue eyes stared amusingly at me while holding a red Vine in her hands which matches her dress. 

"Lovina!"

I forced a smile. She is Laurence's sister, well stepsister but I don't think it makes a difference because the family is___. Anyways, that topic is for some other day. 

Did I mention that she always makes me feel uncomfortable around her like she is a mystery, she holds so many secrets in her blue eyes and her lips prevent her from spilling it. 

Her eyes travelled on me mockingly. 

"No scratches yet!"

She touched my arm and tried to wipe it with her thumb like I'll be hiding it behind the makeup. 

I gently pushed her hand away from my arm.

"Sorry to disappoint you but my husband doesn't treat me like you think he should."

I don't know what her problem is. She is not really happy with my marriage with Laurence.

Her red lips curved into vicious smile. 

"Touchwood!"

I tried to walk away from her.

"I thought you would avoid this party like you did for the last few months."

"I didn't avoid it, I was busy!"

I turned my head towards her.

She took slow but graceful steps towards me. 

"Whenever I see you, I see intelligence dripping from your aura but unfortunately you don't use it for yourself."

Her mocking whisper made me frown. 

"I don't know what you are talking about"

I refused to acknowledge her words. 

"Of course you do"

She let out a mocking chuckle while gracefully keeping her empty glass down and picking up new one. I swear, if I would have been a man then Lovina would be on the list of the most beautiful girls I have ever met. She has grace, beauty, elegance, power and intelligence. She is one of the dangerous players from the Delgado family and that's why it bothers me that she is not happy with me being Laurence's wife.

"I am not someone random whom you can trick into your ignorance games. Turning blind eyes towards something can create a potential threat to you, Mrs. Laurence and I don't need to tell you that, do I?"

"Laurence is sensible enough to make decisions for us and I trust him."

I just want to end this conversation and go home. Lovina is a tricky person, I am sure she is here to make me spill something in her favour.

"Laurence is gathering power and do you know the reason behind it?"

She smirked.

"He is attending meetings, parties, charities, auctions and travelling around the world... Do you know why?"

I looked at Laurence who was talking to some men. I know why he is doing it and what will happen after that but it won't affect my peace, right? He has promised me a loving and beautiful family with peace which he will protect at any cost. 

"To become the King"

I am hopeful that the time for this won't come for years because his father is still holding the position and as far as I know, he won't let his power go to anyone's hand. Not even his son. 

It means I have enough time to change his decision and I am sure, he will understand. 

Lovina nodded amused.

"See, I told you that you are aware of what happens around you but you don't show it... Or maybe you want the power which comes with that."

I grabbed a drink for myself and started walking knowing she won't leave me alone yet. She matched my steps beside me like I thought.

"So what do you want? You were expecting me to stop him from achieving his goals?"

Lovina let out a chuckle while fixing the diamond necklace around the neck which is more than the GDP of some countries. 

"Goals or death?"

I stopped and frowned at her. 

"You shouldn't wish that for your brother."

"I do have brothers but Laurence isn't one of them, Marona..."

She smirked but disgust was hidden behind it.

"You have married the wrong brother... Anyways, all the best because the game of power has begun and Laurence is the weakest player..."

Laurence is the elder one among siblings and he is heir to the throne without any opposition, what is she talking about. 

"As much as I know, there is no competition!"

She widened her eyes like she didn't expect that answer from me. 

"Because you didn't see any but sometimes we need to see beyond the things which are visible to naked eyes... There are many claims on the throne except Laurence's."

"Well, I am not really interested in these games of powers... I have a Delgado surname but I don't really feel it. There is a reason why I stay away from the Castle... And I am sure that Laurence is capable enough to play his own games."

I replied sternly. 

"Of course he is but there is someone against him who is more powerful than Laurence. The person whose mind traps you before his power could and he is not alone."

She patted my back.

"I am just worried about you. Don't become a game in this instead of a becoming a Pawn... Because Pawns are just to be used but games are to be conquered..."

Well, now it's hard to understand her words. Why would anyone make me game in this? 

"Good night, Lovina!"

I think it's enough conversation for tonight. 

She smirked. 

"Good night, just one more news before my departure..."

I frowned at her confident smile.

"Leonardo has decided to pass on his throne to Laurence by the end of this month. Laurence is turning thirty five soon, it's time!"

Her words shattered all my plans to change Laurence's decision. Why is this happening so soon, I was aware that this moment is bound to come but didn't expect it to come like this. 

"Thanks for the news!"

I didn't show her my disappointment before walking away from her. 

whenever this woman comes in front of me, she gives me something to stress on.

Later that night when we went back home, I was still thinking about the conversation which happened with Lovina. 

Laurence freshened up and was about to get ready for the bed, should I ask him about it. He already looks tired. 

But I need to know about it too. 

The other thought says that he should have told me this before, why am I learning it from someone else? 

Anyways, I don't want to fight with him because of it.

"Lovina was at the party"

I started the conversation, maybe now he will tell me.

"Lovina was at the party?"

He looked at me with a deep frown. 

Does it mean that he wasn't aware of her presence? What game is Lovina playing by meeting me but not Laurence?

"What did she say?"

Now his attention was on me, more than he had for the whole night. 

I placed the hot chocolate down.

"She said that your father has declared to make you King by the end of the month?"

I waited for his reaction. 

"That's all?"

He frowned. 

"Yes!"

I nodded and he chuckled. 

"I thought she was there to create a mess... But they can't do anything now, I'll be the King and they all have to be under my command."

He looks confident. 

I sighed, he is still not talking about why he didn't let me about it, should I ask him directly but will it make him mad? Will this lead to an argument? 

"So what's the next step?"

I am giving you leads, Laurence. Pick it up and speak. 

He sat on the bed while scrolling through his phone. 

"We are leaving tomorrow for Castle..."

I froze in my place. All negative emotions ran through my body at once. The stomach churned like someone is twisting my guts. My heart started beating like it would tear my chest out. Weird numbness travelled in my legs making me weak. 

"Castle?"

Laurence finally grabbed my shaky tone and looked at me. 

He placed his phone down and patted the empty place beside him. I made my wobbly way beside him and sat down. 

"Why are you so scared?"

He laughed it off but it's not funny. I can feel myself shaking from inside. 

I fisted my hands as I forced the word out of me. 

"We talked about it... I don't like to be there and you promised that you will never force me. Then why now?" 

He sighed and rubbed his forehead like he was tired.

"If you are tired then we can talk tomorrow."

I said when he did that. 

"It's a matter of a few days... I have to be there till my crown ceremony, and as my wife you are required there or else people will talk."

He patted my cheek.

"You have been a wonderful wife, don't let people talk otherwise... After everything is done, I'll drop you back here and will never ask you to stay there."

I released a shaky breath.

"How many days?" 

"Marona, don't be anxious... I won't be able to focus on work if you distract me."

He sighed. 

"Yeah, sorry!"

I nodded in understanding. 

"But I don't feel safe there"

"You are my wife and no one can hurt you now."

He assured me while getting on the bed.

"Pack your things, we are leaving tomorrow."

I nodded not wanting to argue on the topic and ruin his mood but what about me? I don't want to go there. 

There are many reasons to be scared of but the biggest reason is that one man about whom Lovina was talking. 

The man who makes me see death whenever I look into his eyes, I have never been so terrified of anything in my entire life the way I fear him. 

He will be there and this time I can't hide from him.