<b>Chapter </b><b>38 </b>
Nyssa <b>pov </b>
I hadn’t <b>slept </b><b>a </b>wink all night.
The king’s words kept reying in my mind like a haunting echo, keeping <b>me </b>wide awake. Now, with the sun risen and <b>my </b><b>eyes </b>staring nkly at the ceiling, I <b>heard </b>his <b>voice </b><b>for </b>what felt like the hundredth time.
<b>“</b><b>Two </b>choices. The pain of rejection <b>is </b><b>severe</b><b>, </b>and you will lose your <b>life </b>to it- just from the pain alone. So you can either be rejected when the three <b>days </b>are up… or let me end you the <b>easier </b>way. <b>It </b>would be quick and painless<b>.” </b>
I frowned, my <b>eyes </b>narrowing at the ceiling <b>as </b><b>I </b>repeated his words under my breath.
<b>“</b>A potion that would make me <b>sleep </b>and <b>never </b>wake up.”
I sighed, running a hand through my hair in frustration.
What the hell <b>was </b>going through that man’s mind to suggest something like that? Either way, death <b>was </b>certain<b>, </b>but he had the nerve to call it a choice.
Clicking my tongue, I sat up in bed, my messy hair falling <b>across </b>my face. Brushing the strands away from my neck, I reached out and gently touched the spot where his teeth had almost sunk in yesterday.
My face flushed a deep shade of red as <b>I </b>recalled our close proximityst night- how he had almost marked me. But that wasn’t what I should be thinking about right now.
After the king said those things, I’d asked him for time to think. I could still picture the casual nod he gave before walking away, not even sparing me a final nce. That had stung more than I cared to admit.
I shook my head, stretchedzily, and yawned, reaching to toss the nket off. But a knock on the door froze me mid- motion. My gaze shifted to the door.
“Come in,” I called, already knowing it was Serene.
The door creaked open and Serene entered, carrying a tray of orange juice. She shut the door behind her and walked closer, her expression grim. I immediately knew she’d heard the news about Kieran and Aria. By now, perhaps everyone had.
“Good morning, Serene,” I greeted her cheerfully, offering a smile as she ced the tray gently on the bed in front of me.
I picked up the ss of juice and noticed the way her frown deepened at my cheerful tone, but she said nothing. She simply stood <b>there </b>and watched <b>as </b>I drank. When I was done, I let out a satisfied hum, wiping my lips with the sleeve of my dress<b>. </b>
Then <b>I </b>looked up at her again, this time with excitement.
“Happy birthday<b>, </b>Serene. I ordered something for you- it’s from another pack, so it hasn’t arrived yet. But it’ll be here by afternoon, don’t worry.”
Her frown deepened, and she opened her mouth like she wanted to speak, but instead, she just sighed and lowered her head <b>respectfully</b>.
“Miss, <b>I </b><b>saw </b>Sir Cassian this morning. He asked me to give you a message. Would you like to hear it?”
I <b>raised </b><b>a </b>brow at that<b>, </b>curious. Remembering the look on his <b>face </b>yesterday, the urgency in his eyes- I gave her a small
nod.
<b>1/3 </b>
<b>Serene </b>lifted <b>her </b><b>head</b><b>. </b><b>“</b><b>Sir </b><b>Cassian </b><b>said</b>… <b>whatever </b><b>the </b>king did yesterday<b>, </b><b>you </b>should forgive him. <b>He </b><b>was </b>drunk, and he <b>doesn’t </b>act like himself when <b>he’s </b>been drinking.”
I <b>blinked</b><b>, </b>stunned. But then, <b>as </b><b>I </b>recalled Darius’s strange behavior, her words <b>began </b>to make sense.
“<b>How </b>much did he drink to <b>act </b>like that?” I muttered, frowning.
Serene’s expression <b>shifted </b>at my confusion<b>. </b><b>She </b>blinked, then leaned <b>in </b>slightly, her voice tinged with surprise.
“Oh… you don’t know, miss<b>?</b><b>” </b>
I furrowed my brows<b>. </b>“Know what?”
She nced around and lowered her <b>voice</b><b>, </b>as though sharing a <b>secret</b>.
“The king can do almost anything but liquor <b>is </b>the one thing he can’t handle. Everyone in the world knows this. He’s powerful, but when ites to drinking… he <b>is </b>barely himself”
I tilted my head at her words and slowly began nodding. Well, that exined why he did all that yesterday, I guess.
“I see… Anyway, what’s for breakfast? Is Father around? I’d like to eat with him today and you should join us<b>,</b><b>” </b><b>I </b>said <b>as </b>I tossed the nket off and stood up, stretching through a tired yawn, trying to shake off the stiffness from tossing and turning all night.
Serene didn’t speak at first, but I caught the disappointed glint in her eyes, the same look she’d been giving metely, for reasons <b>I </b>still couldn’t quite figure out. Still, she answered in her usualposed tone.
“The Alpha is downstairs. He’s waiting for you, Miss<b>.” </b>
I nodded and stepped closer to her, reaching up to gently cup her cheeks, lifting her face so she had no choice but to look at<ol><li>me.</li></ol>
Her
eyes
widened, caught off guard, and I grinned before pinching both cheeks yfully, making her blink in surprise.
“M–Miss, what are you doing?” she asked, clearly flustered.
Without replying, I released her cheeks and leaned in to wrap her in a hug. She stiffened under my touch.
“You really need to stop looking at me like that, Serene,” I murmured. “I promise you, I’m fine. So don’t worry about me, okay?”
“I–I wasn’t looking at you-”
Before she could finish, I leaned back with a gentle smile and cut her off.
“So, how about you go put on one of those pretty dresses we bought yesterday, and let’s eat breakfast together? I’ll bathe and <b>dress </b>myself.”
She opened her mouth to argue, but I pressed a finger to my lips, giving her a firm, pointed look.
“That’s an order<b>, </b>Serene<b>. </b>Go get dressed- you’re having breakfast with us.” <b>I </b>paused, briefly recalling the dresses we bought <b>yesterday</b><b>. </b>“Wear the pink one. It brings out your eyes.<b>” </b>
She stared at me for a moment, <b>then </b>exhaled and shook her head. Still, a hint of a smile yed on her lips <b>as </b><b>she </b>bowed slightly.
<b>2/3 </b>
<b>Chapter </b><b>38 </b>
<b>I </b>understand, Miss. Please <b>call </b><b>me </b><b>if </b>you <b>need </b>anything<b>.</b><b>” </b>She hesitated, then offered a <b>shy</b><b>, </b>radiant smile<b>. </b><b>“</b><b>And </b><b>thank </b>you <b>for </b><b>yesterday</b>. <b>I </b><b>really </b>enjoyed myself. I loved <b>spending </b>time <b>with </b><b>you</b>. I’m saving <b>up</b><b>, </b>so <b>next </b><b>time </b>we go <b>out</b><b>, </b><b>I’ll </b>be able to buy something <b>for </b><b>you</b><b>.” </b>
<b>Her </b>words <b>pierced </b>through me<b>, </b><b>and </b>though I smiled, it <b>was </b>stiff and hollow.
<b>‘</b>Next time<b>.</b><b>‘ </b>
There wouldn’t be a next time, Serene<b>. </b>
Eventually, Serene left the room<b>, </b>and I took <b>a </b><b>deep </b><b>breath </b>before walking over to the drawer. My fingers trembled slightly as I opened it and pulled out <b>the </b><b>dagger</b>, staring <b>at </b>the de with a deepening frown.
Tomorrow morning, before the rejection ceremony… I would die.
Not by rejection.
Not by poison.
But by my own hand by driving this de into myself.