Twelve

Kelilah's POV**

I woke up early, feeling surprisingly energized. After getting ready, I found myself with an extra thirty minutes before work officially began. It was the perfect opportunity to check on Loveth, so I made my way to her room.

“Loveth?” I knocked gently, but there was no immediate response.

"Coming!" Her voice rang out, steadier than before, which was a relief.

She opened the door, and I stepped inside.

“You didn’t answer yesterday. Are you okay?” I asked, my voice caught between concern and a hint of reproach.

“I’m sorry, Kelilah. I just... we only have one month left until they come for me,” she said, her eyes reflecting a mixture of fear and resignation.

“Loveth, stop talking like that. I’m going to see Nathan today.”

She took my hands in hers, squeezing tightly. “Promise me, Spare. Promise you’ll get me out of this.”

“I promise.” I squeezed back, trying to give her the strength she needed.

Just before we could get to emotional, my phone rang and I reached into my bag.

"Betty. I'm awake and already on my way".

"There's no need for that" she said and I frowned..

"Why? did I get fired?". I asked in a scared tone.

"No. The boss asked us not to come in today".

"What? Are you serious?".

"Yes. He said we should consider it a day off".

"I can't believe it". I screamed in excitement, causing Loveth to look at me with curious eyes.

"What's that?", she whispered in a hushed tone 

"The boss gave us a day off" i replied, causing her eyes widen.

"I'll talk to you later Kelilah. I have to go", Betty said as she hung up.

"Did he really give you a day off?" I nodded.

“That's unlike your boss to declare a work free day”, Loveth said.

"I can't believe it as well, Loveth. But why did he suddenly give a day off", i thought loudly.

“That’s unusual for him. He never takes a day off,” she said, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. “Maybe he finally noticed those bags under your eyes.”

I rolled my eyes playfully. 

“Fine, I’ll rest a little. Oh, that reminds me, Faith told me about a new diner opening tonight. She wants us to check it out.”

“Perfect. Anything to avoid that sister-in-law’s restaurant of yours. I don’t like that place.” 

Her words stung me hard in my chest, though I forced a smile to cover it up. My poor sister doesn't even know what's going on in my life, and I wasn't planning on telling her anytime soon. Most people didn't like Kat's restaurant. Infact, I only go there because Jackson wanted us to. If this new place turns out to be good, then i was certain Kat was going to lose a lot of customers.

I'm going back to my room" I told Loveth and returned to my room to remove my clothes.

After I had changed into something simpler, I set out to find Nathan. The house was empty again and that remained me that I haven't seen Tyra around for some while now, and I made a mental note to call her. 

When I arrived, Nathan was standing outside his house.

“Good morning, Princess…” he paused, looking slightly uncertain.

“Kelilah,” I replied with a small smile.

“Ah, Princess Kelilah. Welcome. What brings you here?”

“I need to discuss the selection,” I stated firmly.

He nodded, inviting me inside, and we settled in his office.

“Nathan, my father has chosen my sister to be Korvus’s bride, and I can’t let that happen.”

“You want to go in her place?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“No. I don’t want any of us to go.”

“That’s not possible, Princess. Your family has been chosen.”

“You’re the one who made the choice, Nathan. You can change it.”

“You want me to replace your family with someone else’s daughter or sister?” His voice was laced with incredulity.

I stayed silent and he scoffed. Obviously he knew what I wanted, so why ask in the first place.

"It's pretty selfish of you, princess. You don't want your sister to go, but you want me to send the daughter and sister of another family".

"It's not...". I tried speaking, but he cut me off

"Your family has never been selected before. I've had relations who have been selected as a bride to the previous kings of Bazil. You think I liked it?".

“Then no one should be sent to them! It’s cruel to keep sacrificing our loved ones.”

He leaned back, laughing bitterly. “Are you ready to face the consequences of refusing them? Bazil doesn’t take disobedience lightly.”

I tried to argue, but his eyes had a hardened glint. “You’re underestimating the threat, Princess. I won’t risk the lives of others over this. Loveth will go as planned.”

“But—”

“This conversation is over.” His tone was final.

I huffed and stood up, leaving his office angrily. 

I left his office, seething with frustration. My attempt to help Loveth had failed. I couldn’t bring myself to go back to her yet. Instead, I drove around, letting the motion soothe my anger, before deciding to head home. I needed time to process my defeat.

As I approached the palace, my phone buzzed. It was Faith.

"The opening is tonight, remember. Do you want to go shopping before it starts".

"Faith…. Do we have to?." I grumbled.

"Please. I have nothing to wear", she said.

"When?", I asked 

"In an hour time",

"Two hours please. I need to sleep"

"Okay. I'll come to your house then", she finalized

“The diner opens tonight! Want to go shopping first?”

“Do we have to?” I mumbled, exhaustion setting in.

“Please, I have nothing to wear,” she pleaded.

“When?”

“In an hour?”

"Two hours please. I need to sleep,” I bargained, desperate for a bit of rest.

"Okay. I'll come to your house then", she finalized

I hung up and crawled into bed as I slept easily. The pounding on my door woke me up. And I rolled out of bed and opened my door.

“You said two hours!” Faith hollered as she barged into my room.

"I was asleep", I defended.

"Get dressed. We don't have much time anymore"

Reluctantly, I grumbled under my breath and entered the bathroom. After my shower, I changed into pants and a small top. But before leaving, I decided to call Loveth to see if she needed anything from the small mall.

"Loveth. Faith and I are going shopping. Do you need anything?"

“Sure, but I’m tied up right now. Just pick something for me.”

"Okay" I replied, and was about ending the call, when she spoke up.

"That reminds me. Jackson was here", she informed.

The mention of that name made my heart skip a beat. What did Jackson go to at Loveth's office?. I just hope he didn't tell Loveth about our issues.

"He was?"

"Yes. He didn't look happy. I think you should call him"

Relief flooded me. Thank goodness. Loveth has no idea of what has happened. I think I was still safe for the meantime. But for how long was I going to keep this a secret from everyone?.

“Sure, I’ll check in with him,” I said, hanging up and grabbing my purse.

Why was Jackson still coming after me? We haven't talked much since that night at his house. And I suppose he should be happy that I was setting him free to go be with his wife. So why was he still coming after me?.