King William got to the Queen's quarter and made his way to her room.
The white drapes were raised to allow light into the room. The room was spacious enough to accommodate about three more beds.
It had a high ceiling which the chandelier hung. The floor was made with polished hardwood, and covered with a white velvet carpet.
Backing the bed, a beautifully carved dressing table, with a large oval mirror against the wall. On the table, were different perfume bottles and jewelry boxes.
At the center of the room was a queen-sized bed, which the Queen laid as though she was peacefully asleep but the truth was that she was long gone.
King William moved closer to the bed and could not believe what he was witnessing. He raised his hand to touch her, he expected her body to be as cold as ice but she was unbelievably warm as if she was truly asleep. He noticed the room did not stink either.
Moments later…
Queen Layla lay in the coffin, her body still and pale, her eyes as if in an eternal sleep. Petals were arranged delicately on her chest, a gentle contrast to the starkness of death.
The royal family all dressed in black stood in the royal cemetery to bid their final farewell to Queen Layla, their faces etched with grief.
The priest stepped forward to pray for the deceased, "It is with great sadness, that we witness the passing of her beloved Queen. She has always been a beacon of light and strength…"
The priest continued with his words.
Arielle and her family stood at the entrance of the cemetery as they were not on black clothes.
She looked at the royal family and could not help but feel sorry for them as the Queen did not deserve to die that way but what was done was done.
After the burial, King William along with Arielle and her family proceeded to the parlor room where King Adrian was already waiting with his men.
Arielle walked into the room and her eyes found her friends. 'What are they doing here?' She wondered. She also noticed their parents were seated. She was confused as to what was going on.
The parlor room was arranged in the form of a dining room but with the absence of a long table.
There was a high single sofa placed some steps away from the entrance of the room surrounded by sofas arranged in a U-shape and a table placed at the center.
The King sat at the head chair and the others settled in after him.
"What are they doing here?"
King William asked Bernard when he noticed Anna and Belle along with their parents seated with them.
Before Bernard could say anything, King Adrian interrupted him, "That aside, I will be leaving with my mate tomorrow." He declared leaving no room for negotiation.
Arielle's eyes widened at what she just heard, even though she had heard it from her father moments ago she still could not believe it when the werewolf king said it again.
"What do you mean by that, King Adrian? I am not releasing my daughter to you. I haven't even gotten to know her and you want to take her away?" King William said irritatedly.
"I suggest you start right now." King Adrian said sarcastically.
"I don't think you want your daughter to be taken by force."
Arielle looked at the masked King and could not tell what he was thinking. She didn't want to go with him but it looked like she had no say in this matter.
"What if I don't want to go with you?" Arielle spoke softly, her heart beating wildly in her chest as she awaited the masked king's reply.
"You have no choice, love. It's either you come along willingly or…" King Adrian didn't complete his statement and left it for her to complete it.
Arielle's heart, beat wilder when she heard the name he addressed her with. What was that about? She asked herself and tried to calm her wildly beating heart.
Victoria and Natalie held her hand to comfort her silently. Arielle didn't know what to think at the moment.
"Can't you delay your return?" King William gritted his teeth as he asked.
"No." King Adrian replied swiftly and didn't bother explaining.
"I can't simply allow you to just take her away when I just found her!" King William lost his cool when he heard King Adrian's reply.
He had just found his precious daughter after how many years? And she was going to be taken away from him again? He could not accept it!
King Adrian was a man of few words, he didn't like to explain or repeat himself twice as that was just a waste of breath, according to him.
"About those two…" He pointed at Anna and Belle.
"They are Gayle's and Brian's mates." He informed.
The parents of the two girls were shocked at what they heard. Anna and Belle were not well off either.
Arielle could not believe what she heard either. Her friends had werewolf mates? She was slightly happy that she would not be going to a kingdom where she knew nobody.
Gayle and Brian could not say anything and just allowed their King to do the talking for them. They still could not come to terms with now having a mate. They had just made jest of the men with mates, who knew they would find their mates, the same day? And a human at that?
"That means…" King Adrian paused before he continued as he looked in the direction of the girl's parents. "…they are coming along with us also."
"But…" Mrs. Marks, Anna's mother was about to say something but King Adrian didn't allow her to complete whatever she had in mind to say. He didn't care for it either.
"I thought the main purpose of the ceremony was to get your daughters married? Why the hesitation?" King Adrian was tired of these humans, because of them he was speaking more than usual and he was starting to get irritated.
"Forgive us, Your Majesty. We just did not expect that our daughter's husbands would be werewolves." Mrs. Simmons, Belle's mother replied.
"True. I don't think my men were expecting their mates would be humans also." King Adrian retorted behind the mask as he stood up and pocketed his hands.
"I would suggest you bond with your respective daughters as there would be no time for that tomorrow. Have a good night." He said and walked out of the room, his men walking out afterward.
Arielle released the breath she didn't know she was holding. She leaned on her mom, seeking comfort.
"You'll be fine, my dear." Her mom whispered softly into her ears as she patted her head lovingly.
•••••
"See you tomorrow, Ari." Anna said, sounding down.
"Alright, Anna." Arielle replied and hugged her and then hugged Belle.
"Take care." Belle said.
Arielle flashed her a smile, telling her not to worry.
She watched as both families entered into their respective carriages and rode out of the castle grounds.
She released a sigh, walking back into the castle as they had not been allowed to leave.
She had a lot to think about but she decided to do that later as right now, she was starving. She had not been able to eat anything during the ceremony.
As if someone had heard her, a guard rushed to her and bowed before relaying his message.
"Your Highness, his majesty has instructed you to come to the dining room."
Arielle was taken aback when the guard addressed her as royalty. She nodded stiffly and followed the guard.
She entered the dining room and saw her parents and sister were already seated along with other royal members. Her eyes met Davis's and they stared at each other for some seconds before she averted her eyes.
"Come sit, dear." King William beckoned her.
Arielle nodded and was about to sit next to her dad but a maid already pulled out the chair on the right side of the King. She looked at her dad and he nodded. She sighed inwardly and went to sit on the chair drawn out for her.
Although the food had been set, Arielle noticed that no one had started to eat, so she decided to wait.
King William cleared his throat before he began, "First off, we will observe a minute silence for the late Queen." He said and everyone kept mute. The whole dining room was as quiet as a graveyard.
A minute passed by quickly. King William looked to be in thought before saying, "As I have told you all before, I have a daughter and she's the first child and princess of this kingdom.
I would like to introduce to you, Princess Arielle Hawthrone." King William introduced Arielle to the royal family.
Everyone at the table turned to look at the white-haired girl seated on the right hand of the King.
"How is that possible my king?" The second wife, Lady Lillian asked with raised brows.
King William married three wives and had three children from each of them, the first one was the late Queen Layla, the second wife was, Lady Lilian, and the last, was Lady Gwen.
"It's possible because I say so, do you have a problem with that, Lilian?" King William questioned.
"No, my king. I just thought that since her mother wasn't married to you, she is not an official royal." Lady Lilian replied.
"Keep your thoughts to yourself, Lilian.
As I was saying, Arielle is supposedly the mate of the werewolf king and would be going with him tomorrow, so I want each and everyone of you to be welcoming towards her on her last day here." King William ordered.
Arielle didn't know what to think and she just waited for the King to pick up his spoon and then she began eating immediately after.
•••••
Arielle sat by the fountain, lost in thought as she gazed into the water.
She scoffed at the thought that she was an illegitimate daughter of the King, so what was the fuss all about? She would have been better off not knowing about her biological parents.
She let out a sigh and dipped her hand into the cold water, playing with it.
"What are you doing out here? It's cold." She was brought out of her thoughts when a shawl was placed on her shoulders.
She turned and looked at the person who had placed the shawl on her shoulders. It was Davis.
"Mind if I join you?" Davis said already sitting next to her.
"You've already joined, why ask?" Arielle asked sarcastically.
"How do you feel? I mean finding out about your roots? Who would have thought, you would be my cousin? Unexpected right?" Davis asked one after the other.
Arielle knew where he was driving at.
"Why did you want to pick me as your wife?" She asked suddenly and Davis was caught off guard.
"I don't know. I just liked you so much, everything about you since the first day I met you." Davis replied.
"I'll be clear with you, Davis. I never once liked you, I only saw you as a friend and nothing more. I sincerely wish for you to find someone who will love you wholeheartedly." Arielle said sincerely.
"Are you okay with the marriage?" Davis asked.
"Even if I wasn't, there isn't anything I can do, right? And there's nothing you can do also, Davis." Arielle said with a small smile.
Davis knew her smile wasn't a genuine one and he sighed, he opened his mouth but no words came out.
Davis held her hand and Arielle raised her eyes, confused at what he was doing.
"It's nothing, Ari. You are my cousin now, you don't have to worry, I have no such thoughts.
I just want to comfort you. You would be going to an unfamiliar kingdom tomorrow."
"I don't know what to say or how to make you feel better. You are my family now and I'm worried about you." Davis added.
Arielle placed her free hands on his and smiled.
"Thank you, Davis."
"I have to go to bed now, as I have a long day ahead tomorrow." Arielle said.
"Alright. A hug?" Davis asked, smiling.
"Okay. I hope you don't get to marry Chloe. I wouldn't want my future grand cousins to be as obnoxious." Arielle said and laughed to lighten the mood.
Davis laughed along with her before saying, "What are you saying, Ari? What grand cousins?" He laughed harder. "You are right tho, I won't be marrying her."
"That's good." Arielle smiled.
The duo was about to hug each other, when suddenly, Arielle was dragged back and landed onto something firm and warm.