SWNOVELS Chapter 18
Chapter 18
HENRIETTA
I did not know he was a shameless flirt.
The first time I saw him after so many years on that dance floor that night I was replaced as Philip’s bride, he was different. The air around him was different back then. He was shrouded in mystery and as much as I hate to
admit it, it made me curious.
The night I stayed in his manor, I saw a different side of him. He was still a mystery but he was frightening as well. That night, I saw a glimpse of who he was behind that calmness.
And tonight, I saw–another side of him. Perhaps it was the alcohol that made him like that.
My cheeks flushed as I remembered our very close proximity once again. It did not happen once but twice. My hands went unconsciously to touch my cheeks only to find them hot.
I was not imagining things earlier when he leaned in. I wasn’t that naive to not know what he was about to do. I could almost taste the tension earlier. We could have kissed if I had not broken the spell between us.
I
Andreas is a tease and he knows what he’s doing and their effects on someone. I hate to admit that it made met feel things I did not want to feel—like the butterflies in my stomach.
I shook my head, walked over to the window, and watched him as he walked to his carriage. If we stayed in the Palace and followed the rules of the Ritual, what could have happened inside that room? Will I be able to will myself to stop him from kissing me? Or will I be drunk with desire as well and let him cross the line?
The fact that I was considering it made me nauseous. Perhaps I needed some sleep.
It was almost two in the morning when I was able to get some sleep after tossing and turning. The image of Andreas‘ proximity replayed inside my head over and over again and my heart was beating like crazy as I lay ad over and over again and my heart was beating like crazy as I lay
awake.
The next morning, I was thankful that Niana did not come too early inside my room and only came in when I was done preparing myself.
“Lady Myrna has asked for your presence in the dining, my lady,” she said and I nodded at her from the mirror’s
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reflection. Whatever it is that Myrna is going to tell me, I know it’s going to be all about the Ritual.
I let Niana do the colors on my face and I decided to let my hair down. As I walked down to the dining, I was surprised to see it was not only Myrna and Yvette. Philip was there as well.
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I grabbed the sides of my dress and curtsied. “Your Highness,” I greeted before I looked at Myrna and Yvette and added, “Pleasant morning.”
I took the spot opposite Myrna as she was sitting at my father’s spot. With practiced precision, the servers laid an array of dishes before me.
“You were not in the Palace this morning,” Philip said and I looked at him as I took a bite from the pancake.
“I went with Sir Andreas, Your Highness,” I answered curtly. I could sense Myrna and Yvette’s eyes on me but I remained my gaze fixed on the food and on Philip who seemed very concerned about my whereabouts.
“A girl has been murdered, Henny. Her body was found at the back of the Palace. You can’t possibly leave the Palace at that time of the night. We don’t know what lurks out there.”
I placed my fork down. “I was with Sir Andreas, the most ruthless warrior in this Kingdom. Thank you for the concern, Your Highness, but I was in safe hands.”
Myrna cleared her throat. “His Highness was just concerned, Henrietta.”
I gave her a stern look before I gave Philip a saccharine smile. “I am grateful, Your Highness. But I was with Andreas and he escorted me inside this home.”
Philip’s eyes widened.
“Are you telling me that he came in here? It was just you and him?”
I casually took a sip from my tea and said, “What’s wrong with that? He’s to be my husband.”
Philip’s expression darkened, and I could feel the tension in the room escalating. Myrna and Yvette exchanged glances, clearly sensing the brewing storm between us.
“I have nothing to hide, Your Highness,” I continued, maintaining a calm facade. “We were discussing matters related to the Ritual, as the Alpha King instructed. Sir Andreas has been quite helpful in providing insights.”
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Myrna and Yvette looked like they heard the most scandalous thing ever.
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“What happened and what will happen between me and Andreas is between us. We’re to be husband and wife and personally, I don’t see anything wrong with us being together unchaperoned. I slept in his manor once.”
Philip’s jaw clenched, and he shot a piercing gaze towards me. “Henrietta, you must exercise caution. Just because he’s to be your husband doesn’t mean you can let your guard down.”
I smiled sweetly at him. “I trust your judgment, Your Highness. After all, you’re the one who set me up with Andreas. That means you trust him as my soon–to–be husband. I trust him too. After spending more time with him, I realized there is more to him than what meets the eye.”
I lifted
my
hand and showed them my ring. “He got me this and told me it symbolizes eternal love.” I met Philip’s gaze with a steely resolve. “I know he will not do me any harm.”
Myrna intervened, sensing the tension in the air. She cleared her throat and faced the Prince who was still looking at me. “Your Highness, if I must intervene. I believe you came here for the wedding preparations? You
wanted to discuss it over breakfast?”
Philip then looked at Myrna as though suddenly remembering what his purpose for visiting was.
Yvette nodded in agreement in anticipation. The smile on her face was too bright as she looked at Philip with so much hope in her eyes. “The wedding dress–”
“I will have everything arranged,” Philip said before he stood. He straightened the lapel of his coat and I met his gaze over the rim of my glass. “It’s nice to see you safe and sound, Henrietta.”
And then he turned to walk away without saying anything else. I took another sip of my tea to hide the smirk on my face. The gratifying feeling afterwards was something I wanted to feel after what they had done to me. I couldn’t wait to tell Andreas about it–
The memory of his lips flashed inside my head once again and I immediately shook it away.
“You did not need to be rude. He may be someone you’re familiar with since you were kids but he’s still the Crown Prince, the future Alpha King.”
I glanced at Myrna, an innocent smile playing on my lips. “Oh, Mother, I was merely offering His Highness a taste of my unparalleled charm. Politeness is subjective. I was being polite.”
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“Nothing about that was polite, Henny. Philip was only looking out for you. You should be honored.” Yvette
smiled.
I couldn’t resist scoffing. “I should be honored? Are you not the least bit curious why your betrothed prince came gallivanting to check on me in the wee hours? Wedding plans, you think? No, darling, Philip is a master puppeteer. He doesn’t need to discuss plans; he’s already pulling the strings. And believe me, I know a thing or two about being in your shoes.”
Myrna stood and slammed her fist on the table. “Yvette is the future Alpha Queen, Henrietta. I suggest you talk to her accordingly.”
I nonchalantly picked up the napkin from my lap, wiping the corners of my mouth with an exaggerated flourish. “I believe I’ve been the epitome of respect all those years. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves; a lot can happen, in such a short period of time. I know that from experience.”
“Aren’t you even scared of what would happen to you once the Crown Prince decides to punish you?
I let out another chuckle, much to their confusion. “One thing the true Lady of the House knows is that, the Royal Family can never mess with the Silvanas. Not unless they want this Kingdom to fail. You ought to know that if you’re the Lady of the House as you claimed, Myrna.”
Myrna’s mouth hung open and I did not wait for her to say something else. I turned my back and sauntered away from the table, the echoes of their disbelief followed me. The banter had left a sweet taste in my mouth, a small victory.
Throughout my life, I had been known as the kind girl. But now, everything had changed. They’re going to get a taste of their own medicine and I will fulfill the promise I made to myself.
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Chapter 19