Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Cedric
I stared at Alice's retreating figure, my chest churning with something complicated, like something was tearing at my heart.
Maybe... maybe I shouldn't have been so harsh, but the words were out. I couldn't take them back. And maybe this was a good opportunity—let Alice take care of Victoria, smooth out those spiky edges of hers. Maybe she'd go back to how she used to be.
Back to that shy girl who always followed me around, instead of this version who challenged every word I said, whose every glance screamed distance.
She told Caspar she wanted to divorce me! That wasn't something the Alice I knew would ever say. She was slipping from my grasp, and it drove me mad.
I had to pull her back. Had to get her by my side again. Had to make her what she was before.
"Cedric..." Victoria's weak voice pulled me back. "Alice must be upset. Go find her. Tell her she doesn't need to serve me. I don't want to cause problems between you two."
"Forget her." My voice went cold. "Just rest."
"But..." Victoria frowned, her tone hesitant and worried. It made the irritation worse. Why couldn't Alice be gentle and understanding like Victoria? Now she was like a damn porcupine with every quill aimed at me.
The door opened. Victoria's maid Carol entered with a tray—Victoria's medicine.
Carol curtsied to me, set the tray down, her voice bright with amusement. "With Your Majesty here, my lady will recover so much faster. My lady thinks of you constantly, you know."
"Don't say that..." Victoria's face flushed slightly as she lowered her head.
"Why not? It's true." Carol picked up the bowl and walked to the bed. "You've always cared for His Majesty. Everyone knows it."
Victoria took the bowl obediently, sipping in small mouthfuls. The bitter scent of herbs filled the room.
Carol watched her finish, pain flickering in her eyes. She glanced at me, hesitating like she wanted to say something.
"What?" I frowned. "Speak."
"Well..." Carol paused, then continued, "The physician said my lady needs more sunlight to recover properly. It'll help drive out the cold in her body. But the room she's in now..."
"What about it?"
Carol glanced at Victoria before continuing, "My lady's current room barely gets any sun. Given how weak she is, it'll be hard for her to improve here. If His Majesty could arrange a better room, perhaps my lady would recover faster..."
She looked up carefully, testing my reaction.
I was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Fine. I'll have them prepare a better room."
Carol spoke almost immediately. "Your Majesty, the Queen's chambers have the best light in the palace. Sunlight all day—"
"Carol! What are you saying!" Victoria's voice cut her off urgently. "That's the Queen's room! It represents the royal consort's dignity! How dare you suggest such a thing? You're insulting the Queen!"
Her gaze turned to me, full of apology. "Cedric, I'm so sorry. I haven't managed my maid properly. She shouldn't have said something so disrespectful... I've never coveted Alice's room."
I said nothing.
That room... yes, it had the best light and furnishings in the palace. But it wasn't just a room—it represented Luna's position and status.
Carol muttered under her breath, "My lady! If the Queen hadn't pushed you into the water, you wouldn't be sick. If she had any conscience, she'd have offered the room already..."
"Shut your mouth! Alice is my sister!" Victoria snapped. "Carol, say one more word and I'll have you dragged out!"
Carol glanced at me. When she saw I hadn't reacted to her words, she grew bolder, words tumbling out. "My lady! You treat her like a sister, but she's always used her position to bully you. If you ask me, that ugly creature doesn't deserve to be—"
"SILENCE!" I roared, snatching the teacup from the table and hurling it at her feet. Porcelain exploded, shards flying. Carol screamed and dropped to her knees.
"Your Majesty! Mercy! Please have mercy!" Her voice shook with terror.
I stared at her pale face, my chest heaving violently, trembling all over. The fury shocked even me.
Why?
Why was I this angry? What Carol said—wasn't that what I'd been thinking? Alice didn't deserve to be Queen. She wasn't fit for the position—
But when Carol spoke those words, rage erupted inside me. My wolf was howling madly. He wanted to rip the head off this maid who'd insulted our mate!
"How dare you," my voice was ice, each word slow and clear, "insult the Queen?"
"Your Majesty... I'm sorry. I didn't mean what I said. Please forgive me." Carol sobbed, her forehead hitting the floor repeatedly with dull thuds.
"Guards!" I barked.
Guards rushed in and dropped to one knee. "Your Majesty, your command."
"Take her away." My voice held no warmth. "Fifty lashes, then throw her out of the palace."
"No! Your Majesty! For all the years I've served Lady Victoria, please—" The guards gagged her before she could finish, dragging her out.
Silence returned. I took several deep breaths, trying to calm myself, but the agitation wouldn't fade.
"Cedric..." Victoria bit her lip, tears falling. "I'm so sorry. I didn't manage my maid properly. This is all my fault."
Her tears dropped onto the white sheets, spreading into wet spots.
"I'm just a burden to you. I've ruined things between you and Alice. I... I never wanted the Queen's chambers, I swear..."
Her voice cracked, and she started coughing violently, curling up in pain.
Suddenly, Arcales appeared in my mind, dying in my arms. He'd been this weak too, blood soaking through his clothes.
He'd used his last strength to grip my hand, those dark blue eyes like mine filled with longing and worry.
"Cedric... promise me you'll take care of Victoria.
For the sake of how I died for the kingdom... "
I'd promised. I'd promised Arcales I'd look after Victoria. It was my duty, my final oath to my dead brother.
I stayed quiet for a long time, watching Victoria's face flush from coughing, watching her body so fragile it might collapse any second.
Finally, I said it. "Move into Alice's room."
"What?" Victoria's head snapped up, shock and panic in her eyes. "No... I can't! If Alice finds out, she'll be furious. It'll hurt your relationship. I'd rather recover slowly than cause problems between you..."
"It's my decision." My tone was firm. "She has no say."
"But Cedric—"
"Victoria." I cut her off. "I've decided. Just move in."
I turned to the guard at the door. "Inform the Queen. She has three days to move out. Her new quarters... arrange the suite next to mine. Have it ready in three days. Use the best of everything."
"Yes, Your Majesty." The guard bowed and left quickly.
I listened to his footsteps fade down the hall, that restless feeling surging back.
I told myself this marriage to Alice was political anyway.
Just duty. For the kingdom's continuity.
I didn't need to care if she'd be hurt. Besides, she owed this to Victoria.
She should compensate. And I was giving her an even better room—no worse than her current one.
"Cedric, thank you so much..." Victoria's eyes reddened again. "You've done so much for me. I don't know how to repay you."
I answered absently, "It's what I should do. I promised Arcales I'd take care of you."
"But Alice..." Victoria continued. "Could you explain to her for me? I won't stay long. Once I'm better, I'll move out immediately."
"I'll tell her." I interrupted. "She'll understand."
Victoria nodded, saying nothing more, just watching me with those gentle eyes.
The room went quiet except for the wind rustling through branches outside.
I should leave. Should handle the mountain of state business. Should review border defense reports. But my mind was full of Alice. Everything else was blank.
"Cedric?" Victoria called softly, puzzled. "Are you all right? Are you feeling ill?"
"I'm fine," I answered mechanically, my gaze drifting to the window.
My wolf paced restlessly in my chest, clearly unhappy with my decision, whimpering.
"This is what we're supposed to do!" I told him.
But he wouldn't listen. He howled louder. That uneasy feeling rose like a tide, nearly drowning me.
I couldn't help wondering—what was Alice doing now? Had she gotten the news? How would she react? She'd definitely be angry. Maybe she'd cry.
"Cedric, are you sure you're all right?" Victoria's voice came again, clearly worried. "You don't look well..."
I snapped back, realizing my fingers had been drumming the armrest endlessly, making sharp, anxious sounds.
"I'm fine." I stood up, words coming fast. "Rest. I have work to do."
"Oh, all right..." Victoria was clearly surprised, then said, "Go ahead. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."
I nodded dismissively and strode toward the door. When my hand gripped the handle, that unease suddenly became so intense it nearly suffocated me.
Damn it.
What the hell was wrong with me? Why did I feel so awful?
"Cedric..." Victoria's voice came from behind. "Thank you. If Arcales knew how well you're taking care of me, he'd be so grateful..."
I paused, but said nothing, pushing through the door and out. The hallway was quiet except for my echoing footsteps.
I headed for my study, but stopped halfway. That guilt kept growing stronger, like a tide pulling me under.
Alice...
I'd made her care for Victoria. Now I was forcing her out of the Queen's chambers—the room that symbolized her position, her dignity in this palace.
And I was stripping it away. Would she suffer for it?
Damn it.
Why did I care how she felt? She was just my duty. I didn't need to care what she thought, how she felt.
But my feet turned toward her room anyway. I'd check on her. Ask what she wanted. Give her some compensation. That's what a mate should do.
That's what I told myself as I quickened my pace. My heartbeat accelerated inexplicably, heavy and fast—like I was anticipating something, or dreading it.
I didn't understand this feeling.
My wolf circled inside me, whimpering urgently, pushing me to go faster, faster.