Ivory
When I blinked my eyes open, I couldn't believe that I actually fell asleep.
I flew into a sitting position, my eyes darting around fast. I was alone, and sunlight was already pouring through the opened curtains, almost blinding me.
I winced, my head instantly pounding, and then my mind traveled back to last night. Fear slammed through my chest at once and I forced myself to breathe slowly and relax.
He didn't do anything to me.
Even after catching me trying to flee, he hadn't hurt me. He hadn't laid a single finger on me.
So… maybe my life here won't be so bad on moving forward, right?
The door opened at that very moment and I jumped, pulling my robe tightly around myself for some reason, expecting to see my new owner at the doorway. Only it wasn't him.
It was madame Anabel and two maids behind her.
"I hope you had a pleasant sleep last night, lad? Cause you have a long day today." She informed me, her voice cold and I frowned.
"A long day?"
"Of course. It's your wedding day today, don't tell me you aren't aware."
I stiffened, shock rocking through my entire veins… cause I had actually forgotten about that.
Alpha Auden did tell me about it last night before he left, and that's cause I had been too shaken up and frightened by the encounter I had with him.
Oh shit.
I have a wedding today!
I was ushered out the bed right after that and led into a large dining room, where breakfast was already waiting for me.
I sat awkwardly, looking around a little. I want to ask why I'm the only one eating but I didn't bother doing that. Eating with Alpha Auden, or that woman from last night who tricked me, was the last thing I wanted.
I felt ridiculous and silly to still be in my robe right now, but madame Anabel ignored me when I requested an actual outfit to have breakfast in.
I didn't feel starving, but I picked up my fork and cut out a piece of the pancake, my mind a complete mess of worry.
How can I even be relaxed enough to eat, knowing I'd be wedded to auden today? Sure, it's a sham marriage and he already said he was never gonna touch me, but it was still very scary.
It doesn't help that my dear maid is still in Jaden's captivity! And who knows if Jaden hadn't hurt her yet.
"Damn, no one told me I'd find the most beautiful face to ever exist in here this morning."
A foreign voice rang out and my spine straightened just as I looked up, my eyes landing at the doorway of the dining room where a man stood. He was lazily leaning against the door, his eyes raking over my face and a small grin tugging at his lips.
I felt a hot flush wash over my face at once.
"Uh…" I muttered awkwardly and the man chuckled before sauntering in.
"There's no need to be shy." He drawled as he stopped opposite me, the table separating us. My face still felt hot and I forced myself to hold his gaze despite wanting to badly look away.
"I wasn't shy, I just didn't know who you were." I finally breathed out awkwardly, taking the time to properly take him in.
And gods, he was handsome.
Standing at least 6'2, he was fit, but with lean, compact muscles that fill out his shirt properly. His face was chiseled to perfection and his eyes were a warm green.
"I am someone enamored by your stunning beauty, that's for sure." He murmured quietly, leaning over to hold a hand out to me.
My breath caught in my throat as I blinked up at him again, my cheeks blazing hot. I suddenly feel overwhelmed.
It wasn't every time that I got told that I looked beautiful.
In fact, that's only happened once, by my mate, Jaden, who rejected me. And it turned out he was only lying to me.
That made my insides curl with pain and I wondered if this stranger was also messing with me right now. That made me suddenly sick to my stomach and I stared at his outstretched hand, refusing to take it.
"Aw, c'mon… did I say something wrong?" He asked, looking seriously and pulling his hand away.
I shook my head fast, shifting around awkwardly. "No, you didn't. I- I'm sorry if I was rude."
I apologized quickly because I don't know who he is. What if he's a friend of Auden? And Auden gets mad at me for disrespecting his friend?
He huffed as he waved me off. "Nah, you're fine. I think I should be the one apologizing. It seems I said something wrong without realizing it, and I apologize for that."
He wrapped his hand behind his neck for a moment, smiling sheepishly. "My friends tell me that I can sometimes be too much. I just thought it's only fair that I let you know that I found you really pretty before going my way… and I'd be doing that right now. Sorry to interrupt your breakfast and I do hope you enjoy it."
He was turning around and walking off before I could utter another word, leaving me in the same spot with my mouth hanging open. I had wanted to apologize, and then assure him he didn't do anything wrong.
But the words remained stuck in my throat.
And now I feel so bad.
Especially as I don't even know his name, cause now I can't find him to offer him an apology.
Ugh.
As I picked my fork up again, my stomach twisted with nerves and I hoped that stranger doesn't go report me to Auden.
I'd like to avoid as much trouble as possible on moving forward, and remain completely invisible if possible.
I was dressed by a bunch of maids who were just as rude to me as they were last night.
When they bathed me, they kept making so many snarky remarks.
They were also so certain the king didn't touch me, and somehow, they used that to mock me, claiming the king didn't find me attractive.
I hadn't bothered responding to them because it was pointless.
They were all clearly birds.
"So, are we sending her to the harem house?" Someone asked once I was wrapped in a towel after being scrubbed so hard, I wondered how my skin wasn't peeling yet.
My eyes widened at once.
A harem?
The king has a fucking harem house?!!
Madame Anabel arrived at that moment and clapped her hands. "Ivory isn't going to the harem house cause she's getting married to the king today."
After those words left Madame Anabel's mouth, all the maids' faces went as white as snow, then they all looked at me with fear.
Like they were suddenly scared for their lives.
And I almost laughed in their faces.