**GWEN**"Honestly, Gwen,” Tyler insisted, shifting away from me. From his body movement, I could tell he was lying. I knew there was something troubling him, despite not knowing what. Or perhaps, it might all be in my head. As I said earlier, I'm often worried most time even when there was nothing there.So, reluctantly, I acquiesced and accompanied it with a smile. "Cool. So, how are you preparing for the upcoming ball?"His shoulders bounced up and down casually, "like every other person. It's really nothing that special according to what I heard.""It is, Tyler. And about your ladylove...I can secure her an entrance if you want me to."His Obsidian settled on me for a few notches I felt I might have said the wrong thing. They were dimmed in contemplation. After a while, the corners of his lips slanted downward as he said in a low baritone. "That won't be necessary."I opened my mouth to still insist he divulged to me the object of his unnatural behavior when a door upstairs slammed
**GWEN**Instead of going to my room, I made a beeline for the study to attend to the file from before. Of course, I have a meeting with the former Queen to discuss it. I needed to be acquainted with all the names before her arrival.As I flipped through the pages, a maid came in to deposit a tray of cookies and tea and even went on to open the curtains and let in the evening light. Then stoked the fire in the hearth. She picked away some objects no longer of importance-possibly used by the former Queen-and opened the fridge to take off bottles that had overstayed."Your Highness, should I arrange the desk?" She asked when she came back from dropping the stuff she took out.I glanced about my desk. The place was in disarray. Nonetheless, I couldn't let her do that not knowing which papers or files held water. So, I shook my head. I would do that after speaking with the former Queen. She would be the one to inform me of the files that are now irrelevant and needed elimination."I will l
**GWEN**I concluded what I was doing at the study and went for lunch which normally was carried out in quietude as it's usually not a communal affair. I ate alone, at the large hall, a simple breakfast comprised of soured lemon pie and fresh asparagus. After eating, I was driven to seek out Ashton as I was aware he was in a meeting in which I was supposed to be present but not in the mood to be. I needed to take a stroll. By myself. And so I did. "Good day, your highness," Mousy greeted when I reached the front doors. I bowed my head slightly to acknowledge his greeting with a small smile. "Hello, how are you?""I'm fine, your highness." He said too blithely. "Are you going out for a walk?" He went on to ask.I nodded, wondering how he knew. "Just around the palace.""Of course, your highness. I will relay that to the King if he inquires." With a single bob of my head, I didn't waste more time and took my leave. I stood at the porch for a notch, trying to decide which direction t
**ASHTON**I was worn out and needed profound rest as of when I made it out of the meeting conference room. The moment we rounded up, I had informed Williams through the mind link to conclude with them whilst I took some fresh air.Goddess, these elders were stifling. The guts of them to ask me why we haven't dropped news of an heir yet. We just got married for goddess sake. It was not like babies were plucked from trees or anything.However, I have been having this gnawing feeling to inquire from Gwendolyn if all was well. It was not as if I was putting pressure on her, I mean we were in this together, which was why I should ask her how she felt and if there had been any signs. That way we know the way forward, if to see the Doctor.It's will be five month soon.I was so deep in thought I didn't hear the sound of footstep coming the other side of the hall, nor my mother's scent until I nearly collided with her."Son!" She righted her self fast and stepped back. "Are you alright?""Ye
**GWEN**I didn't know how long I was transfixed to a spot in that water after Merit left. I just knew that for a moment I didn't know how to react to her threat and just as I was about to leave the water, I felt something like a shadow pass over the water and became motionless at once.I thought Merit was going to do something heinous to me, the water being the least of my problem, but when I saw that shadow, I knew I was going to die for sure.Then boom, someone was inside the water, snapping me out of my shock and I recovered, my first instinct being to run. Run to where? I didn't know, merely striving to try my best. "It's me, my love," Ashton said, and I have never felt the level of relieve I had at that point which I concealed by slapping at his arms."You startled me."He didn't let me finish and covered my mouth with a scintillating toe-curling kiss that had my head spinning that I forgot about my fear, my body engulfed by his heavenly charms. He appeared excited this evening
**GWEN**The entire palace was busy with people milling about, engaged in one activity or the other. It was the interior decor team that arrived to prepare the venue where the ball would be held.With every day they broke, I was astounded by the level of importance that was given to this very occasion.Earlier this morning, I had woken up early as Kora came in to arrange the gowns I would be using today, and being that I had informed her to leave out attending to me in the mornings, when I rose to ask her out, I discovered Ashton was gone. And Kora went on to notify me about the palatial engagement today.I went training with my friend after then where Abby said Ashton asked her the other night why she didn't hang out all the time with Tyler. I could see that Tyler was growing uneasy every day with this herculean task plunged at him, and I was very happy he was willing to help me. As always.Now, here we are, doing nothing but standing close to the former Queen, nodding, waving, and s
**GWEN**There was something definitely going on in the pack that I was not aware of.The night before the day of the ball, Ashton was nowhere to be found. I expected him to be around as he had been scarce these few days. It was either he was in one meeting or the other, or off to train with the horses. He was never around.I dismissed it easily mostly as I was often fatigued at the end of the day myself and as soon as my head hit my pillows, I was off to Lalalaland. But each time I woke up in the middle of the night or in the morning, I could tell he was never going in my room. Kora confirmed this yesterday when I inquired from her if she had seen my mate and her response had been a fierce 'NO'."Your Highness," Kora came into view from the wardrobe, bearing a shimmering turquoise gown intricately woven with diamonds from head to toe. From the waist went down on a smooth fishy slope that I was sure when I wore it, would magnify my waistline. One couldn't help but stare open-mouthed
**ASHTON**I had intentionally concealed the recent happening in the palace from my mate knowing how she would have reacted if informed. I saw how she was engaged, running about the place nonstop trying to make sure today was a success.It was something I didn't think anyone could do apart from my mother. From the way I saw my mother watching her every movement closely with small smiles mindless smiles etched on her face, I knew she was proud of her.Don't be mistaken. I was not fine with it. Normally, the Queen was not expected to carry out these things as they were the major works of the welfare team. However, seeing as she had insisted and my mother had adamantly supported her, I knew there was little to nothing I could have done about it.And I liked it.It only irked me as I was not often around most of the time to enjoy watching her from my window up there as she talked to someone, wiped sweats off her brows, mumbled things I craved to hear to herself- thinking no one was seeing