Three days later...The morning proceeded in the same manner as all the preceding days. In point of fact, there was no such thing as an extraordinary dawn; each day was exactly the same; there was no distinction. Yet, I didn't detest anything, I didn't get bored, I didn't even feel sleepy. On the contrary, I eagerly anticipated and delighted in the approach of each new daybreak.When I finally opened my eyes, I was confronted with what I had already become accustomed to seeing. Atlas was looking at me while I was talking with the gentlest smile on his lips. In order to gain a clearer look at the situation, he rested his head on his hand.Oh well, I was hoping to go back to my room in the servant quarters, but he wouldn't let me. He required that I must be present with him throughout the entirety of each and every one of the day's twenty-four hours. In spite of the fact that I argued for it, he did not allow me take the couch. He didn't touch me and instead simply looked at me like thi
Atlas grinned as he selected the blue embroidered ball gown and offered it to me before putting it on. "It will look excellent on you." It was unclear to me whether he had complemented the gown or me when he did so.I walked closer and held it in my hands, completely ignoring the overwhelming thought that came into my head. The off-shoulder sleeves, strapless neckline, and flower motifs all over the surface with lace and tulle made it look very stunning. His option was not at all poor, but it was even superior to the one I went with. In such a little amount of time, I couldn't have possibly selected such an exquisite ball gown."Allow me to be of assistance now." Atlas scowled at me as he inched closer to me slowly."No." I let out a scream and then quickly moved backward. I guess the fact that I was so loud was enough to make him come to a halt. "Don't you dare get within an inch of me." I cautioned him by giving him a look that was menacing.He seemed like he was controlling his sne
After arriving at the destination, Atlas got down to open the door for me. I didn't understand why this man was behaving like I was a nobility — the queen, or the princess. There was no way that he had found out I am the Princess of Prythian. I had been very careful."Stop overthinking, Lady." Atlas's voice broke my concentration on the thoughts. I looked in the direction of the sound and saw the man standing outside the car, looking as handsome as ever.His softest warming smile was welcoming me to hug him so tightly. And I was guilty of that. I didn't know from where the willingness came from but somehow it did."Come out, Miss." He said as he reached my hand and pulled me out of the car. In front of me, the large mansion was decorated with beautiful fairy lights. People were swarming like ants in the courtyard, wearing fancy dresses and masks covering their faces.Oh, we were wearing that masks too. Probably it was the reason why no one was bothering him, the king.Atlas entwined o
"Hi, lovely. Would you like me to take you to the dance?" Not much time had passed since Atlas had left when a man dressed in a black suit showed up. I wasn't really in the mood to engage in conversation with anyone. I therefore did not attempt to divert my attention away from the mob in which Atlas had vanished and instead simply nodded without looking at him. When the man drew me towards the dance floor that was being deserted and couples were taking places on the spot, the man's icy hand held mine and he pulled me towards the dance floor. My eyes were moving around a lot. They were so preoccupied hunting for the eyes that I had been looking for that I couldn't even hear them. There were perhaps twenty couples there, and more people were taking part. He was not one of the group of twenty. What in the name of hell happened to him? Is there a chance that he has abandoned me in this place? However, he would never act in such a way, and it was physically impossible. The spotlight flas
It was really dim in that little nook. Even though there were other people in the area, the temperature was unbearable. The stairs walled off one side of the room, while the opposite wall was completely exposed to the adjacent corridor."Why are we doing this?" I inquired while locking my stare with his most intense one. It was really annoying to wear the golden pigeon mask, and it got in the way of being able to fully see around.I took a deep breath out of my nose and tried to remove the mask while doing so. When I was finished, Atlas hurriedly shoved me against the wall and then slammed his mouth on top of mine, cupping my face in the process.What the living hell! He was kissing me, dang!I tried to get away from his contact, but he pinned my hands with his and sucked my lips as I was struggling. Now was the time when my heartbeat was at its most erratic.Why did I all of a sudden feel like something was wrong with me?It was the very first time we kissed. Hell, no. I was unable t
I stiffened on the place. Gasps were emerging in every corner of the place, from every single person except for the man in front of me. He was looking as annoyed as ever.Didn't he know about this? Or was he annoyed by me? Maybe the truths that I had hidden from him. Well, whatever! The thing that mattered now was getting caught.I had been caught in front of all these people. What should I do? Run away, hide somewhere or fight them?As I swirled my gaze, I could only notice hatred on their faces. I would be murdered if I tried to escape or fight. It would be even more impossible to hide. There was no way.But I shouldn't be leaving the place as well. I had yet to find my mother. My mind was blank and all I could do was staring at the person I actually had my faiths in.Of course, it was Atlas. He was my only hope right now. I knew he won't help. It wasn't going to happen. But still, I stood behind him and didn't leave his hand, neither did his hand leave mine. At this point, I garner
I was sure that everyone else was as surprised as I was. But I couldn't come up with a match since I was too confused. Indeed, Atlas was my competitor, but he was also a supporter of mine. If it weren't for him, these individuals would still be able to get the best of me.And he was telling me that if I married him, then not only would I be his wife but I would also become the Queen of Xanthan. He was sane, for sure. Having said that, he was acting in this manner on my behalf. If I were to refuse, I would be forced to leave this location and give up any hope of locating my mother.If I were to say something different, it would imply that you do not need to retreat or give up in this situation. As a member of this pack, it would be required of me to remain here and to remain with him and his family. While I was still struggling with my thoughts and my head, Atlas began counting down the three seconds that he had allotted to me. "One."One thing that stood out to me was that nobody dare
As soon as I arrived back at the castle, the first person I searched for was Ryder. There was a mountain of information to relay to him, including that I had been captured, that they had discovered who I was, and that I had unexpectedly gotten married. I was curious at the severity of his response to it."Good noon." When Atlas's mother saw us enter the dining room, she welcomed us with a pleasant grin and greeted us with her son's name. Atlas was the one who dragged me here against my will to eat lunch with them."Mom. Dad. Please allow me to introduce you to your son in law, Xanthan's Queen. Once more, Atlas wore a broad grin on his face.My nose flared up as I carefully observed the expressions on his parent's faces. They were in the middle of eating the fish curry when they heard what he had to say. As a result, the spoons crashed to the table, and their mouths gaped open. To tell you the truth, being shocked was a perfectly natural and reasonable response to the situation. Even i