I close my eyes when my body sits on the water in the stem. The week is almost finished since I've been here, and I am exhausted. I don't get rest during the day with all the activities I am always taken to and at night, Shepherd and Shamus and their noise.

Plus sleeping on the sofa is not at all comfortable. And it doesn't help the fact that I always have to sleep with one eye open with those two in the room. I am truly in hell.

I tune out Hannah as she baths my body and I let my head loll on the head rest, and I attempt some sleep. Maybe if I get even some sleep, I will be better. You'd swear its nighttime, but the day is just beginning and today is Hanser's party.

The celebration Shepherd is throwing for him for finding me. I am told he will be honored, and I wish I could skip the whole ordeal completely.

"Queen Aria?" I hear Hannah's small voice.

"Yes?"

"Are you alright? Are you in pain? Should I call the physician?" She asks.

"No, I haven't been sleeping is all." I open my eyes and I gaze at her. "Can you tell my husband I'm too tired to attend today and I need sleep?"

She just freezes there, and I know its cruel to her. She doesn't know whether I am being serious.

I smile to relieve her. "I'm kidding, Hannah. But I am tired, so I'd like to shut my eyes for a few minutes. Is that okay with you?"

I see her give me a strange look.

"Should I give you the room while I help Barbara with the other room?" She asks meekly.

"No. Stay." Maybe this is a chance for me to see how loyal they all are to Shepherd. I get back to lying on the rest.

She sits there awkwardly.

"You can continue its fine."

She comes back and slows down what she was doing.

"Hannah..."

"Yes, queen."

"What happened to your face?"

She freezes fast and I see the look of terror in her face. her eyes glisten immediately and my heart breaks for her.

"I...we can't talk about that, queen." She looks down and she goes back to her job after that reaction like nothing happened.

"I understand. Believe me, I understand." I say.

Silence falls on the room and then I say. "You know you can talk to me, Hannah, right?"

She just stares at me, and she doesn't respond. She fears for her life. This poor girl. She has been nothing but kind to me and I wish I could set her free. But at the same time, I need information and with Shepherd barely giving me room to breathe, I have no one to talk to or anywhere to go.

They are the only ones I can be private with, but it seems Shepherd put the fear of the goddess in them, and they are terrified of deviating or disobeying even a little.

She doesn't answer me.

"I am not your enemy, Hannah. I hope one day you see that." I whisper. "I am sorry for what happened to you." I finish.

After a long silence she nods, and I nod back. We continue preparing and the other girl I now know is called Barbara help me prepare for breakfast.

Before lunch, Shepherd sends a messenger to have me come to the welcome hall of the palace. When I arrive there, the place is abuzz with excitement. I try to listen in on the conversation, but no one is letting anything out. Shepherd smiles a wide smile when he sees me, and he takes my hand.

"Oh good, my wife is here. I think we can begin now." He tells everyone and then he escorts me to a royal carriage. I don't know what's going on, but I don't feel good about any of this.

I have a steady feeling of dread in my stomach, but I hold it in. I know whatever ordeal awaits me in the end of whatever this is, it will be over by sundown, and I can be away from these people.

They help me atop the carriage, and it seems today we are going to a parade of sorts. When Shepherd sits next to me, he takes my hand and squeezes hard and he brings his lips to my ear.

"If you cry, or show any outward sign of distress, I will take you back to the palace and I will show you what I can do with my dagger and all your dreams of being a mother will evaporate. So, behave."

He barely swallows his words when I hear the marching boots and when I turn, I am horrified to see the cage they have Igor in. He looks barely alive and all the blood he had from the other day is dry, but he doesn't look better at all. I gasp as emotions clog my throat.

"I wasn't joking earlier, harlot. If you cry, I am killing the bastard."

I look to his direction. How could a man be so cruel? I blink trying to keep my tears in.

"Please." I whisper, begging next to him, but I see the murderous look on him and I close my eyes and I try to get my bearings.

For our child. Don't cry, Aria. All will be fine. You will escape, and Igor will live.

It doesn't work but I try to open my eyes and I focus on my breathing. I look at anywhere but Igor's cage. It helps nothing that the dress I'm wearing has sleeves that completely cover my hands and Shepherd is pinching my arm under the fabric.

I bear it, as hard as it is. I focus on the crowd and sometimes I manage a broken smile. Shepherd has the biggest grin I've ever seen and Shamus's rides proudly in his horse in front of the carriage holding Igor's cage.

It is a loud commotion when we get to the city streets. Everyone is out to see the monster that has their queen captured for eight months. Yet some are here to see the monster of legend.

The evil that stayed in the woods. Igor had been made to a legend, with most of us being told as children the bedtime stories about a monstrosity in the woods.

Many people look between him and me and I see the realization in some people's eyes, but no one will say anything. The town's people throw things at his cage. From dirt to rotten meat, to stones and some spit on him. Shepherd couldn't be prouder; he couldn't be happier.

And I bear it all. I look at the sky and I hope the goddess sees my suffering. Is this the life I've been made for? To suffer always in my life? Igor was the only rest I've ever had, and I didn't even have a full year with him.

Whoever up there is planning my life, your planning is horrendous.

The parade lasts for an eternity until we are on the way back again. I report sickness when we return, and Shepherd lets me go. He is very happy with himself, and his cruel smile tells me he achieved everything he set out to, and he is very happy with himself.

I sob silently in his bathroom. I cry for hours. All the tears I couldn't shed out there, I let them out. seeing Igor so weak broke my heart and for those few hours I wear my sorrow like a blanket.

After all the crying, the day goes by pretty quickly and before I know it, I am being escorted to go to the dreaded celebration of my number one enemy.

Truly, if I had the strength, I would kill Hanser even now. And I am still not clear on why he betrayed Igor. I know he's gotten compensated in gold by Shepherd, but money can't be the real reason he betrayed Igor.

There has to be something else. Maybe something more I don't know, and I can't exactly ask Shepherd about it.

I wait for Shepherd in the room where we will both emerge together. Him and Shamus come together, and Shamus gives me a cruel smile like always. I go on with my life because none of that affects me anymore.

"Ready, Ria?" Shepherd taunts me but I don't give him a reaction and I nod with an even face. I regret that as soon as his hands get under the fabric of my dress, and he starts pinching me again when we enter the ballroom.

I am starting to think he is giving instructions to have the servants dress me in these dresses so he can physically hurt me. He can't kill me yet, but he is doing the next best thing. We walk in and we stand in front and many people are looking at me with fond smiles.

He pinches me even harder and I almost wince at the pain, but I plaster a smile on my face as he speaks.

"Today we celebrate a man who brought this kingdom from its grief. A man who dared to travel where others didn't. his bravery serves this kingdom and I want each of you to look up to his example. And know that this kingdom rewards those who seek to build it and show loyalty to it.

"Tonight, we feast in honor of Hanser and all the work he has done to ensure we not only capture the beast who has tormented our people for decades but rescue your queen as well." He removes his hand from under my garment and takes a drink on Shamus's hand.

He smiles down at me, and he turns to me fully to give me his evil grin, together with a brow wiggle.

"My wife would like to say a few words to the man she owes a lot to."

I hear excited murmurs and I turn from Shepherd's face. I smile my pretend smile and I rake my gaze through the guests. Seeing who's here.

"It has been a tough year for this kingdom. You all suffered much, as I suffered too, but I kept the faith even as I was away from you and I prayed that one day I would come back to my people, to this land, to my husband and to all of you. Thank you for never giving up on me, and I would like to give a message to the man who is singlehandedly responsible for my return.

"Hanser, your actions will never be forgotten. And may the goddess pay you and your family seven-fold what you have done for mine. May you receive as much mercy with the gods as you have shown me."

I stare at him for a few more seconds for effect before I face the crowd again. I see Shepherd seething next to me. I know before he takes my hand again and he starts pinching me that it's going to be a long night and I will pay for what I just uttered.

"Once more ladies and gentlemen, to Hanser!" Shepherd says.

"To Hanser!" The room echoes.

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After chapter thoughts?

A/N: Also please check out my other book that's running currently called Bound By Law if you are into Contemporary Romance. It's cute, I promise 🙈