Something cold shocks me out of sleep and I scream.

"Ah!"

I find Shepherd with a bucket, and I am soaked with ice water.

"Sleep time is over." He looms over me.

I look at the window and it is first light.

"Am I going somewhere?"

He glares at me like I'm an imbecile for not knowing. "Yes. You need to get ready for today. You have a long day planned. People want to see you; you have appearances and a long day of convincing people we are in love, and I am the happiest expectant father to an animal." He straightens to his full length when he has said what he really wanted to say.

"My child is not an animal." I bark back.

"We'll see. And watch that attitude. I haven't touched you yet but don't provoke me. I won't hesitate to drag you across this floor, and no one will come to your aid." He threatens and it finds its address. I shrink back to the sofa.

When he is satisfied by my reaction, he retreats and goes to the door. He opens and Hannah and the other girl walk in with bowed heads.

"I am going for a walk, make my darling beautiful for today." I hear the mocking in his tone. He is really laying it on thick.

He walks out and I am left with the girls. I exhale and get up to head to the bathroom. I wonder what they think, what they think of this and what they think of me. Do they think I deserve everything that's happening to me?

Do they think Shepherd is the dotting husband and I am just an ungrateful girl who has everything? What about my pregnancy? Servants see and know everything. Kingdoms would crumble if what laid in their chests was uncovered.

I drop the wet sheet on the floor, and I let them do what they came to. They work efficiently and they get me ready. I wait until Shepherd comes back and he also gets ready. We walk out elbow on elbow like the happy couple we are supposed to be.

It is breakfast time and I remember the last breakfast I had in this place. Where Shepherd had the servants escort me like I was a thief at his table, offending him. As I walk the halls, the memories don't hurt me like I thought they would.

I am a different girl than the one who walked them all those months ago. I have different priorities than worrying about when and how many times my husband doesn't bed me.

Or what the castle staff say about me behind my back. What insult my mother-in-law has waiting for me or what herbs she will give me this time. Or the disappointment in my fathers and stepmother's eyes. Or the pity in my brothers and his wife's eyes. Or Shamus and his taunts and gloating.

I have different worries than what gown I'm wearing or how much noise Shepherd and Shamus will make and crying myself to sleep when they finish. Igor really gave me more than I ever thought I'd get.

The love in his eyes for me. Goddess, how he looks at me. I don't even have to ask him what he thinks of me or if he thinks I'm good enough, its right there. He doesn't hide from me or make me work to be worthy of his affection, he gives willingly and without limit.

How he worries about things that worry me. How he is always thinking about me and our child and how he can give us a happier life.

I feel a tear rolling down my cheek.

My love.

I wipe it away quickly before this man sees and shouts at me. I blink and try to clear my eyes. The servants as usual have their heads bowed.

I want to go to my room and get my books. They may be full of sadness, but they are mine and I want to have them back. That's if this sorry excuse of a man hasn't burned them already. That would be evidence contradicting the story he's trying to sell to everyone.

We stroll to the dining hall, and I hear the overlapping voices as we round the corner, and dread fills my stomach. I'm not sure about everyone who is there but I have a few guesses of a few people who are probably there. I want to groan very loudly. But Shepherd pinches me and I try to pull my hand from his.

"Behave and stop whatever you are thinking about. It's showtime." He says with a menacing look on his face before it breaks into a sincere smile as he turns to the crowd at the hall. I force a polite smile and I take in the hall.

I look around at all the decoration and the mountains of food here. Well, that was unnecessary. The day has barely started but I'm tired already.

They all stand when we walk in.

"Good morning everyone," Shepherd greets politely.

I scan the room. Some of these people I don't know; but it's my family, Shepherd's mother, the highest-ranking members of the council, and a few people I don't know. As I scan them, I notice one of the men I don't recognize avoid my eyes.

I wonder who he is or if he can detect the sham that is this whole thing.

"Thank you all for your prayers and supporting my king in the time I was away. We are grateful to you all."

They clap a little before I start hugging the women and accepting hand kisses and shakes from the others. All the new ones introduce themselves and I welcome them as the gracious queen is supposed to.

Then we get to this man who doesn't want to take my full gaze.

"Oh, wife. This is the man you have to thank for finding you from that monster. This is Hanser and his wife—"

I don't hear the rest of what Shepherd says as a tear falls down my face. Hanser. This is him. He betrayed Igor, betrayed my family.

He looks like he wants to run.

"You...It was you?" I accuse.

His lips tremble.

"Seems my wife is getting overwhelmed. Excuse us, everyone. As you may understand." Shepherd pulls me by my hand to the nearest room and he bangs the door.

"It was Hanser who sold Igor out?"

"You mean who saved your life and brought you home? Yes." He looks really happy with that answer. His cruel smile widens.

"I don't want to be in the same room as him, Shepherd."

"That's king Shepherd to you, harlot."

I turn my face away from him. a cold hand turns my face with great force, and I wince. I find Shepherd's murderous gaze and I shrink to myself.

"You will go out there and you will smile, and you will make nice. You may think you have some power here, but you don't. I can still do anything I want to you. Questions will be asked, but if I tell them you weren't suffering in a cave like they think, but that you were breeding with an animal, guess if they will sympathize with you?"

Tears slide down and he removes his hands quickly like they offend him. "You are a monster."

"And you better never forget that. Now go wash your face. You look disgusting."

I move past him to the bathroom adjoining this room and I wash my face and I dry. He is not there when I emerge, and I compose myself.

You have to be strong Aria. For him and your child.

I will need to talk to Hanser if he will tell me any truth. He is the closest I have to having someone who can talk. Maybe if I'm lucky he still has a conscious and I get useful information from him. I have to play it smart.

After the last drawing of a calming breath, I step out and I walk to the grand hall and the men rise. Shepherd opens my chair and I walk to it with a fake smile.

"It's still all overwhelming. I haven't seen such warmth in a long time. I just got emotional." I fan my face and some look like they buy my lies. But not Hanser or his wife. Shamus also isn't here. Relief for me. I already saw way too much of him last night.

"We understand dear, I was also crying every hour when I was pregnant with him." My mother-in-law shows the last teeth. The table laughs.

I tightly smile back.

"So how much is the baby kicking you? When I was pregnant, my son would just punch his fists around like he wanted to make his way out." The wife of the minister of farming says.

"Not much, a few times. I think they are lazy."

"Like Shepherd, he was a lazy baby." My mother-in-law makes the joke and Shepherd doesn't laugh at all, neither does the others. I want to laugh because she is now looking like a fool. It's always interesting how much she pretends she isn't, but she also fears her son.

"So, are you leaning to any baby names?" My stepmother asks.

I turn with a fake smile to Shepherd. He takes my hand, and he squeezes hard. I stifle a reaction.

"We started talking about that very topic last night. We are keeping it between us for now. We just want to enjoy the rest of this pregnancy and not place such burdens on our child and my beautiful wife."

My face falls. He gives me a victorious smile.

Breakfast goes by with light chatter. But I can't help my questions to Hanser.

"So Hanser, how did you know where I was? How did you know where to find me?"

The whole table turns to him, and he quickly conceals his reaction.

"I wanted to pick these berries my grandfather told me about when I was growing up and I encountered clothes at the waterfall. Those were yours and there was no body. I guess you could say it was really instinct as I wondered the forest. But I saw the beast and I followed and saw where you were kept against your will."

This man is my enemy and when all is said and done, I will ensure his demise. This is a promise I give myself and my family.

"It was lucky you went wondering in the woods, I guess. I always thought most stayed out because of the mythical creatures that lurk there. You are brave and you deserve everything for your service." I lift my cup to him and so does everybody.

"Speaking on bravery." Shepherd takes my hand again. "I am starting a tournament to unite our kingdom and honor my wife and our incoming heir."

I don't like the look on his face. Tournament?

"And in honor of my wife, we have a special appearance. It commences tomorrow so bring your best spirits." He grins wide, looking at only me.

All feeling leaves me when I understand what he means. Igor.

I can hear nothing else during the meal. All I can think of is where they might be holding Igor and how he is and what this rotten man actually plans to do with him and what is happening to him right now. I find myself rubbing my belly absentmindedly. Oh, Igor, how can I save us?

A pinch pulls me out of my mind, and I find the whole table looking at me.

"Hm?"

Shepherd's smile tightens to a thin line.

"The minister asked if you are excited to see all the soldiers who will fight in your honor tomorrow against the enemy of this kingdom?"

"Yes, yes of course." I answer absentmindedly and it seems they are satisfied with the answer because breakfast carries on. After the breakfast, my family asks to see me in private. Shepherd escorts me to his private library where we will talk.

"I will leave you to your reunion then. Wife, mother also wants to talk to you. She will come in when your family is finished and then..." he leans in closer to me. "We have all day, just me and you." He kisses my temple and I want to vomit. But I hold the awkward smile. He walks out.

I turn to my family after he closes the door.

"Aria, we are so happy you came back. We couldn't believe the news that you were alive. The goddess has really been on your side." My stepmother steps forward with her fake smile. She hugs me and I am grateful to my child because she can't be as close as she means to.

"It was a miracle, I guess."

We pull apart.

"And to think of the fall you survived. The goddess is truly blessed this family. And you are carrying the heir of the kingdom, this couldn't be better news."

I look behind her to my father who doesn't look like he shares her joy. He isn't angry, but he looks...concerned and his lips are formed to a thin line. So does my brother and sister-in-law. I wonder what that is about.

"Yes. We are truly blessed." I can't hide the sarcasm from my voice.

"So did you see the intruder in your chambers that day?"

I flinch a little. This is where I'm supposed to lie. But also, if I give Shepherd everything he wants, how can I retain some power to at least leverage some of it.

"You know I think I hit my head somewhere. I may remember something, but just not now."

She nods. The ones at the back don't look like they trust what I'm saying.

"We are just happy you are home safe, Ria. We thought the worst and it was hard for all of us hearing them saying all those things about you."

I frown. "What things?"

"Some people believed the general when he talked about an affair."

"Then what changed?"

"Servants of the castle vouched for you. Thankful to you spending so much time in the garden and with the letters and of course you are with Shepherd at night. There was no time and therefore improbable. Also, the general informed the guard you were running like you were being chased with no shoes."

I nod. I want to laugh. So, Shepherd and Shamus tried to disgrace me, but people stood up for me.

"At least there are people who are still truth speakers in the world."

My family and I catch up on other matters and they update me. My sister-in-law is indeed expecting a child in two months. The day ends but I am informed the interview with the council is the following week.

Everybody was excited by the upcoming tournament and how it was what the kingdom needed. Meanwhile I couldn't stop hoping that I was wrong, and it wasn't what I thought was going to happen.

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