I do not belong to you

Blue's Pov;

The man turned around slowly, visibly shaking by the turn of events. "You are the queen?" He asked, unable to come to terms with my truth.

I released my hair from the tight bun, Rose styled it into, then I wiped off the little dirt she had rubbed on my cheeks.

"Oh my goodness, it is her."

"That's the queen."

"That is the woman that married the king."

"Yes, she's the one."

"But why is she here?" Whispers aroused from around us, as a small crowd gathered not too far away.

"Forgive me my queen, I had no idea you were the one standing before me." The bulky man said, going down on his knees.

"I should forgive you? Why should I forgive you, when a moment ago you acted so inhumanely to this poor little child." I voiced in disbelief, pointing at the child behind me.

"I didn't mean to act that way towards him. But I told the child countless times to leave, and he wouldn't listen." The bulky man defended himself, his eyes and knees still lowered to the ground.

"Child, why won't you go when he said you should leave?" I asked the little boy, staring at him intently.

"I can't leave." The child answered in a low voice.

I crouched down in front of him, "why can't you leave? The big man will not stop hitting you, so why won't you go?"

"My mum... my... mum is sick. She needs... she needs to take her medicine, but without food... she can't." He stuttered, tears running down his cheeks.

"So you are begging the big man for some food, then?" I asked even further, wiping his tear with my finger.

The boy nodded, "all... all I want... is a cup... a cup of flour."

"Hmm." I nodded my head, my heart reaching out to the child.

I stood back on my feet, my gaze returning to the bulky man. "All the child wants is a cup of flour, how can you not show him the smallest of mercy??"

"Mercy? Did you say mercy, your highness??" The bulky man spoke, standing on his feet.

"Yes, mercy! It isn't that hard to show mercy to your fellow man, it is not a hard thing!" I yelled, not being able to understand why a man as big as him would kick a child so mercilessly.

"If I showed the boy some mercy, who would then show me mercy?"

"What?" I voiced, unable to comprehend where the bulky man's words were heading.

"Who will show me mercy, your highness? Who will show my family mercy? Who would show my kids mercy?? WHO!!" He screamed, and I moved backwards in shock.

I still don't understand.

"If I give him that cup of flour he really needs, another beggar just like him would come to me. Why? Because I am a nice man, and because I am such a nice man... more would come to me daily. I can barely fend for myself or my family. The king—" He paused, taking a breather. "THE KING TAKES NINETY PERCENT OF WHATEVER I MAKE IN A DAY. HE TAKES EVERYTHING!!!" The man growled, taking me by surprise.

Steadying myself, I asked... "You pay ninety percent task to the king?"

In a much calmer tone the man replied, "Yes, your highness."

"And you pay this tax, every day??"

"Yes, your highness."

"Is this true, Rosemary?" I asked, turning around. Rose rushed over to my side, then whispered in my ear. "I'm afraid he is. Your highness."

True? But it doesn't make sense. I am pretty sure the king doesn't need that much money or food to get by every day. How would a king take ninety percent of his people's earnings??

"Fine. I will look into this, to see if there's a mistake or an error somewhere. For now, give the child some flour."

"I am sorry my queen, but the only flour leaving my shop is the one paid for." The man spoke in defiance, his countenance revealing that he would never back down.

"I never said it would be free." I said to the man, then turned to Rose, "Give the man some money, enough to buy two bushels of flour and a bushel of rice."

Rose proceeded to take some coins from her purse, and I walked over to the little boy. I stretched out my hand towards him and he grabbed it.

"Hey." I smiled at him, patting his hair.

"Are you really the queen?" The boy asked in a little voice.

And I smiled, nodding my head. "Yes, I am the— Ah!" I screamed in pain, holding the back of my head. I turned around swiftly to see who would dare stone the queen, and my attacker was a woman running towards me at full speed.

"STAY AWAY FROM MY SON!! YOU ARE A MONSTER!!!" The woman shrieked, hurling another stone my way, but this time I was lucky enough to doge it. She got to where I was and dragged the boy away from my hold, "WE DON'T NEED ANYTHING FROM YOU!! AND DEFINITELY NOT YOUR PITY!!" She screamed like some crazed woman dragging her child away.

"SO YOU HAD RATHER LET YOUR SON BEG AND DIE FROM HUNGER!!! IS THAT IT??" I screamed after her, and she halted.

"Your son was out here begging, holding onto a man's leg and even though he kept getting kicked for it, he never stopped. He did it for you!"

She turned around with tears in her eyes, "I don't want your pity. I don't need your help."

"Then how about you pay me for it? That way you won't owe me?"

"What do you mean?" She asked softly.

"Once you are fully healed, come over to the palace and work as a kitchen maid till you pay me back every coin you owe me."

The woman remained quiet.

"I need an answer now." I voiced, acting impatient.

"I will work." She muttered.

"Good. Rose, go home with her, so she doesn't run off without paying me. Also, get her some medicine. The quicker she's hale and hearty, the faster she can pay up her debt. Sarah and I will leave first." I informed Rose, and was about to leave when the little boy ran over to me and hugged me.

"Thank you, your majesty." The boy appreciated, looking up at me.

I caressed his face gently, "Tell me child, what is your name?"

"Francis, your highness."

I smiled at him, "Francis, if you ever need food or anything at all, come to the palace. Make sure to tell the guards that you are a very important guest of the queen, and they would regret it terribly if they didn't inform me of your presence. Got it?"

"Yes, your highness." He answered, nodding his head vehemently.

"Good." I beamed at him with happiness, ruffled his hair some more before walking away with Sarah.

*******

"I really am not in support of this, Blue. You can't just barge into the king's quarter without being called by the king." Sarah voiced, rushing after me as I quickened my steps.

We had arrived at the palace earlier through the secret gate, and with the help of Sarah I had changed back into my Queen's garment, and now... I am on my way to the king's quarter.

I have to see him concerning the tax issue, and it can't wait.

"You really might get punished, Blue." Sarah pointed out, trying to keep up with me.

"I don't care, Sarah. I have to do this." I replied her, my eyes looking ahead.

We finally got to the king's quarter, and the two guards stationed in front of his quarters stopped us from entering.

"The king instructed that we let nobody in." One of the guards informed me.

"It's good thing that I am the queen, and not a nobody. Move!"

The guards exchanged looks, then withdrew their swords they had used to block me. "But she can't go in, your highness." The guard said, staring at Sarah.

"Sure. Wait here, Sarah." I said to Sarah, then walked through the big gigantic doors.

I went straight to the king's bedroom, but Wilder wasn't there. I checked his meeting room, study room, then I checked the living room and found him there.

"I said—"

"That you don't want any disturbance, but apparently I am your queen and not a nobody." I interrupted him, leaving no room for him to get angry.

When I had initially walked into the room, Wilder was standing in front of a window staring outside so mindlessly, until, of course, he heard my footsteps.

"Why are you here?" He asked, turning around.

Firstly, you left after we had an amazing sex. You deflowered me and just left!!! Who does that?? Why didn't you let me wake up to your pretty face, huh?

Why did you leave?

"I went into the pack today." I voiced, walking closer to him but not enough to be in his space.

He raised an eyebrow at me, his eyes questioning me...

"The people, your people... are made to pay ninety percent tax of their daily income, every day. And I know very well that you, as the king, do not need that much. They barely have—"

"If you have any concerns about the people, then you should take it up to the Lords. I have no business with them." Wilder puts across, as he cuts me off.

"What? But they are your people, you are their king!" I exclaimed, unable to fathom how unfazed he was right now.

"Blue, leave. Now!"

"What?" I mumbled, my entire being having a rude awakening.

He hates them. He hates the people of Night Shade Pack, and he doesn't care about whatever happens to them.

He still holds them accountable for what happened in the past, and because of his grudge, he is letting both the innocent suffer.

"What happened years ago, isn't really their fault, Wilder. And even if it was, you can't let the innocent pay for their ignorance." I said to him, then turned around ready to leave. I had just placed my hand on the doorknob, when he called... "Blue."

I turned around, my insides blowing up with excitement, that he now had a change of heart.

I was wrong.

"Meet me at Hershel's workshop by 10pm. You would be lending me your power once more."

"The last time I did, it didn't work out. What makes you think things would be different this time?" I asked him, calming the rage inside of me. I really thought he called me back because he decided to help me out. Ah!

"Because I married you," he answered simply.

"How does that change anything??" I asked, confused by his choice of answer.

"Apparently, if we are married, we become one. And so your flames would be able to heal me, the same way it heals you," he explained.

This was his reason for getting married to me.

I already knew his reason for marrying me would be somewhat like this, but still— why do I feel hurt?

"Why? Did you really think I married you because I suddenly started having feelings for you??"

I said nothing. I don't want him finding out that his words affect me.

He teleported himself and stood before me in close proximity, his eyes gazing into mine, his fingers caressing my cheek softly. "I do not belong to you, Blue." He voiced, then teleported to a seat.

Fighting back the tears, I exited his living room. Of course, I knew that you do not belong to me, Wilder Reagan.