>> Recommended song: SO AM I by Ava max ft NCT <<
Meili felt eyes on her even in her closed bathroom and her maids were quiet, strangely quiet yet there was a questioning all around and she even noticed her maids were taking extra care on her body, especially around her most sensitive parts.
Achelous sat down on the couch in Meili's sitting area with a book in his hand, he was not reading wholeheartedly but he was reading, his mind took him back when he woke up to see the scared look on his wife's face, she looked like she had seen a ghost. How would he even explain the situation to her understanding, she might hate him but can't change what he is, he's no where near a nature of a human. He blamed Nix for the early encounter and blames his stupid culture people for everything to even begin with and most of all…..the Almighty!
Meili came out covered in her white morning coat reaching her knees and her feet bare to the cold floor, her embarrassment caught fire again when Achelous raised his head to look at her, she felt like her whole body was put in display as he kept staring at her beauty. Her hair was still wet from the shower and she smelled magnificent making his body heat up just by that and he turned to the maids who still didn't look in his direction. " Get her ready for the meeting, I don't want any questioning!" He said to the two girls before they bowed and moved their lady to the dressing table.
Meili just stared as the girls did their magic on her, Achelous had left at a point and even with that her maids didn't speak to her, they just looked worried and she still couldn't read their minds….they had changed all of a sudden.
" my lady would you like to wear blue or white, given the occasion?" One asked carefully and Meili raised a brow at her. " what occasion is it Lovia? And why are you all so cold all of a sudden…." She trailed when she saw her husband returning to her room and her mouth shut on its own. " my kinsmen are coming over to see who my wife is….it's quite obvious they are coming on other motives and I am so prepared!" Meili heard him say that freely, he walked around her room leisurely as if inspecting and he nodded slightly.
Meili walked behind Achelous in a long corridor with a very huge silence, just footsteps which were clearly Meili's, because the man in front of her walked like he was a feather falling down, not even a slightest sound came from him till they got to a junction and he stopped to look at her. The sun rays falling on his face and making him look enchanting as he spoke and Meili realized she didn't hear anything even from the lot he said because she was admiring his beauty and presence at the same time that nothing went in.
" Can I ask a favor from you?" He said all of a sudden and she nodded without even thinking, " I know our marriage is not what others think but can we make it look good and inseparable?" He went straight to the point and she stared at him with opened mouth. How was she supposed to do that and why! His icy blue eyes were waiting for her yes or no but he narrowed his eyes at her when she asked him a question in return. " milord, what do I gain from helping you?"
She's trying to bargain with him and he loved every bit of it, with no reason really. " what do you want in return?" He asked to her surprise and she was short of words, she was just trying her lack and didn't know her husband would give in. " I would give you anything but not your freedom, you will stay here forever and so that one is out!" He added and she stared at him horrified while he smiled victoriously at her with a raised brow, Meili decided to use this for future as she didn't have anything else in mind to ask aside her freedom and that was just drowned.
Entering the dining hall, Meili stopped as old memories flooded her mind again and she felt sick , she didn't want to eat there again but her husband turned to look at her with something flashing his eyes like worry as he studied her. Was his kinsmen that bad that he felt that way for her! She wandered before accepting his hand in entering the place completely.
The dining hall was set when their presence was made known and they all stood up, bowed their heads and waited for Achelous to walk over to his seat at the head of the table and only sat when he did. " you are sure looking bright this morning Sire" a female spoke while adjusting her red hair to her side with a lovely smile on her face. Achelous smiled back before looking at Meili who was still standing with displeasure forming on her beautiful face and the rest by the table looked at her like nothing was wrong and she was unhappy for no reason, they surely didn't prepare a seat for her and Achelous smiled as he shook his head, he didn't say anything and just stared at each and everyone of them with a simple smile on his face.
" Oh my! The queen has no seat?" An older looking woman said with a feigned expression as she studied Meili's expression, she almost laughed in victory when the girl smiled mischievously at them. Meili went behind her husband's seat and struggled to pull him back and he just stared at her, he smiled when she prepared to sit on his lap.
' This girl….'
Meili sat down on Achelous and he flinched like he had been attacked and even Meili froze in her place when she felt his cold breath behind her ear. " Don't move too much princess " he said softly before kissing her neck shocking the rest at the table, while the kitten on his lap had turn beet red. She wanted to sit comfortably but that had now turn very hard for her, maybe this was a bad idea in the first place, her blue dress was silky and surely slippery, she might rather end up on the floor and her in-laws would get their way. " mmm…we're very happy to see you in person princess " a young man cleared his throat since the whole place had gone silent with all eyes on the couple.
" You missed the title Ethan?" Achelous asked with a mocking smile on his face as his cousin frowned but he composed himself and smiled, his eyes looking at Meili as he corrected himself this time, " we have heard a lot about you milady, how are you finding this place " Ethan said trying to start a conversation with the girl on top of his cousin while the latter only smiled as he took hold of the wine glass.
" I'm not too shocked given the history and so far…. I have been loved and treated as a queen that I am! Did you think otherwise…..sir Ethan?" Meili found herself wanting to play with all of them, would she love to play with the devil himself or his minions!
" of course not milady! I was just making sure given my brother's previous relationships with all…..I'm really in your favor " Ethan said with a sly smile
Meili's smile lowered a bit but then she felt her husband hold her right hand softly, no pressure and she wanted to turn and look at him just to be sure if he was truly the one and she shook her head.
" That one would be their problem because I am here to stay but I would put that in mind, brother in- law" she said with a wink and Ethan frowned while he took in a sip from his glass, Meili still had that smile on her face
Achelous was enjoying every bit of it as he stared at everyone at the table behind Meili. He didn't know she could talk until now and…she felt so good on his lap, even with the layers of her dress, he could still feel her softness against his thighs. " we should eat in peace, shouldn't we?" Achelous said shutting his aunt up in the process and she frowned, her face turning red and Meili covered her mouth with shiny eyes as she controlled her laughter, her husband only smiled.
After dinner, Meili had finally escaped from the family and all of the duties of the so-called queen she was pretending to be came done for a day and she was exhausted, she just wanted to get out of the heavy dress also the heels. " Are you leaving already, my lady you have to see your husband you know…..don't tell me y-you're tired?" Catherine spoke with a wink before Meili turned to her with a questioning gaze. " of course not, I'm his wife and why do I have this feeling you're chasing my husband…..do you want my man, lady Catherine?" Meili said in carefully with confidence and something else in her eyes.
Catherine turned pale and her hidden anger bloomed, " That is wrongful of you! It is your duty princess…..so go and be with the king, unless you want him coming to look for me….I might really take him you know?" Catherine said and Meili wandered how shameless the redhead could be just for her man…..her man! She bit her lower lip at the thought, she shook her head and turned away from her, walking in the direction of the king's quarters and Catherine smiled wickedly.