Chapter 10: A Cage In Silk

Chapter 10: A Cage In Silk

~Ioana~

"We are getting married," his voice came cold and commanding.

I froze, a thunderclap resounding in my head, my breath caught in my chest. I stared at him for a good minute before what he said tried to sink in. 'No, he didn't just say that, did he?'

My lips parted, opening and closing, but no words could come out. My brows drew close together, staring straight at the man who seemed so casual, legs parted, his arms folded as if he wasn't the one who said it.

For a moment I doubted, 'Have I finally started going mad? Didn't he hate me?'

Finally, the only word I could say was, "You can't be serious… right?" I searched his face, trying to look for something, anything that could back up the flickering hope in my heart.

But nothing. Face as cold as stone, his eyes void of any sorts of passion, not even in the slightest.

Staring straight into his eyes, I realized, he feels nothing for me. No, it's not love. It's like he's talking about the most ordinary thing. It's not supposed to be like this.

"Why?" With shaky breath, voice trembling, I asked. Why did I ask? I don't even know.

"Why do you suddenly want to marry me?" Dread coiled around my insides like a serpent, twisting, tightening. Each second that passed felt like eternity.

And finally, he spoke.

His words talking about how it will help for the throne. He's not explaining though. Just informing but even that is with clipped words.

His words were like a punch to my gut. I staggered backwards, blood draining from my face.

So it was for him. I let out a self-deprecating chuckle, but even to me it sounded increasingly hollow and empty. My heart ached, squeezed painfully in my chest. For some reason, I felt… betrayed.

'Wasn't he supposed to be my mate? Once again, I have fallen into the hands of fate, rejected not once but twice.'

Goddess, why did you give me a mate if he's still going to reject me at the end? Is it true as they said? Flashes of Gabrielle's face went through my mind, her words digging into me.

Gabrielle’s venomous words surfaced: “No one will ever choose you. You were born to be used.”

'Was I never meant for happiness?' Elderly couples holding hands, strolling, the corners of their eyes crinkled with laughter, joy causing tears to form.

Is it too much?

Clutching at my heart that throbbed painfully, I crumpled to the floor.

The heat of my body seeped into the rug, even that couldn't warm me up. A chill, bone-seating chill crept up my limbs.

If this is my fate, why should I resist?

I lost everything I valued. My family. The little dignity I had. My innocence.

And it's not enough.

So what is?

But for him, that wasn’t apparently.

He took a step into the room. It was only then I noticed in his hand was a black box. He walked past my crumpled figure, uncaring and indifferent.

Placing it on the bed: "Three days." Each word worse than the other.

But when I heard the deadline, something birthed me, my loathing self taking a swift, sharp turn.

Wait. It's not… fate.

Like the first rays of dawn lightening up the sky, I realized.

It's him—his words. This is what he wants, what's better for his selfish interest.

"Did you ever ask me what I wanted?" Perhaps carried away by my surge of emotions, the words burst out from my lips.

Then what about me?

Am I not a person too? Do I not deserve to have what I want? To be free from all this? To follow my own will?

I paused at the strange word—will.

It felt foreign. All my life, I've been pressed under people's feet, spat at, insulted. And I could do nothing—it's not that I couldn't, but I dare not.

His reply: he looked down at me, pressure instantly bearing down on my shoulders. "I'll repeat myself for the last time. The ceremony is in three days—try to look graceful."

But this time, for myself. For my future. I wanted to… dare.

And I did. "You don't get to decide that for me." Placing my palms on the floor, I pushed myself up. Standing to my feet, my fists clenched at my side, trembling in both a mix of fear and anger.

My cheeks reddened, blood rushing upwards. "You think tying me to you is a reward?" Taking a step backward, my legs hit the edge of the bed.

Looking backwards, my eyes locked onto the black box he placed on the bed, through the transparent cover.

It was a dress. He brought a wedding dress!

Alarmed, the reality of what was about to happen sunk in.

If I marry him? I shook my head, dismissing the future's horrors sending chills down my spine.

Determination surged, gushing out like a river.

The siren bearing in my mind, the hovering crisis.

Not this time. I won't be silent. I won't be small.

My back straightened, my jaw clenching, my gaze locking onto his. I lifted my chin, mimicking the gesture of Gabrielle.

"If this is your way of showing power, then you're weaker than I thought."

My voice growing louder when, for the first time, a crack appeared in my ever-calm façade.

"I am not your slave. I'm not your doll."

"I. Do. Not agree."

Voicing out my thoughts, my shoulders slumped, flinching briefly, my lashes fluttering in fright, and as the seconds passed and nothing happened, I straightened. Inwardly sighing, it was as if a tremendous burden had left me.

But just then.

Everywhere darkened. No, it wasn't everywhere—it was just around me. Lifting my eyes up—

It was him, staring down at me, his face expressionless, but his eyes contained a chilling rage, like a turbulent sea on a stormy night, threatening to engulf everything that stood in its way.

He tilts his head to the side. "You think you have a choice?" His voice mocking. I trembled, shoulders shaking.

Remembering where I was—in a massive palace of immense strength—my heartbeat began to pound in my ears.

Is there really no way out? Do I have to stay like a good little wife for him, living the rest of my days in agony with a man who clearly despise me?

A life in a gilded cage.

Like a dying flame flickering one last time, "You don't understand what it feels like." My voice wavers before steadying.

When fingers gripped my chin, his jaw ticks. "This isn't a request."

Retrieving his fingers, he pulled a neatly folded hankie from his breast pocket, wiping his fingers as though he had touched something foul and beneath him.

My stomach twisted his gesture a blow to my already fragile ego, I wasn't only beneath him but also something filthy.

As he walked towards the door, he left behind the words, "The maids will be here by tomorrow to help you prepare."

With that, the door slammed shut behind him, shutting not only his figure but also my hope for my future.

But even after he had left, I stood frozen in that spot, as though my legs had grown roots.

His words echoed in my mind, his expression that seemed to tell me no matter how much I say… how far I run, it doesn't matter.

It was as if everything I said was of no use. I felt like something was wrapped around my neck, choking me.

What was the use of speaking if nothing changed?

Why me?

I just want to—my hands clutched at my head—"I don't want to get married to anyone by force, and not to him."

Like a burst dam, I let out a scream of frustration. My arm swept the box off the bed, watching as it tumbled down from the bed onto the floor.

With heaving chest, I locked eyes on the moon outside through the open window. Compelled, I gravitated towards it, finding myself gripping the windowpane, my torso leaning out. 'If only I can be free as you,' I thought.

I wouldn't have to be forced into marrying him. My eyes drooped in sadness, worries about the future eating me up.

"If only I can leave this place—" I muttered under my breath.

Realizing something, my eyes flew open, incredulous.

Wait a second.

I peered downwards from the window. Guards patrolled at a distance, their figures barely visible.

Maybe… I can.

If only I have a way to scale down this wall, I would be able to leave here.

I have no rope, I noted, taking a glance around the room.

But when my eyes dropped to the elaborate beddings and magnificent drapes—

A plan formed in my mind.

The corners of my lips drew upwards into a smile, a mischievous glint flashing past my eyes.