Chapter 17 Chapter 17
Thalina's POV
I stared at my reflection that I could no longer recognize.
Today is the day we start preparing for the wedding but I still cannot wrap my head around it.
I feel like it was just yesterday when I saw Magnus and Selene lying on the bed naked but now here I am in the palace about to be married to the king.
"This kind of hairstyle suits your features Thalina, right King Thaddeus?" the makeup artist asked while looking at King Thaddeus who had been watching us the entire time.
I was watching him through the mirror and the moment he glanced at me I felt my knees start to weaken once again.
He was staring at me too intently and I wanted to look away but there was some kind of force that pulled me towards him.
"Yeah. She looked beautiful," he responded and I could feel my cheeks burning when I heard his response.
Did he just say that I am beautiful?
It was the first time I heard him compliment me…genuinely, and I never thought that it would have a huge impact on me.
I felt like I had regained the confidence that was stolen from me when I caught my husband cheating.
"Thank you, King Thaddeus," I politely uttered but he didn't say anything instead he stood up and turned to the makeup artist.
"Make sure she looks beautiful on our wedding day. I don't want to hear any gossip that I married an average she-wolf,"
After saying those words that insulted my core he walked away without even throwing a glance in my direction.
King Thaddeus really has his ways of lifting me then later on he will crash me down in ways that will take me time to recover.
Now I have no idea where I should get my confidence again.
"Your hairstyle is settled. I will call the designer for your gown fitting,"
The makeup artist stepped out of the room and after a while a strict woman who's probably a few years older than me stepped inside the room.
She eyed me from head to toe and I saw disappointment in her eyes while looking at me.
"You look fat. I never expected King Thaddeus' mate to look this ordinary,"
I am feeling down already so to stop my tears from falling I started playing with my fingers to distract myself.
"Remove your dress. I want to see you naked,"
I looked at her in disbelief wondering if I had heard her correctly.
"Do I really have to show my naked body to you?" I asked filled with confusion.
She raised her eyebrows at me and nodded.
"Of course. I need to examine your body to see what kind of gown fits you. Removed your clothes while I still have patience to deal with you,"
I feel embarrassed just by thinking that I am showing her my naked body but I have no choice but to undress myself.
I want to cover my nakedness with my hands when she started circling me but I stopped myself from doing that afraid that it might make her even madder.
"We need to flatten your stomach. Your butt isn't even visible. Your body looks like a door. You shouldn't eat that much if you want your gown to fit. You must undergo a strict diet and I will be watching your food intake, do you understand?" she asked so I just nodded my head like a helpless little kid.
When she was done checking or should I say insulting my body I picked up my dress and covered myself.
"You should go. You need to learn how to walk properly. There are a lot of things that you need to know. You should at least come close to Princess Atasha if you want to be deserving of the crown. You don't want to embarrass King Thaddeus in front of the whole kingdom right?"
I nodded once again unable to utter even a single word because of the embarrassment that was eating me up.
"You can leave and don't forget that I am watching everything that you eat so don't do you dare eat too much,"
I gave him a nod for the third time before stepping out of the room and heading towards the living room where I saw Princess Atasha sitting on a couch gracefully. Her hands were gracefully placed on her thigh.
"There she is," she said the moment she saw me.
A sweet smile was plastered on her face and the moment I got close she kissed me on the cheek which left me confused.
"I will help you so you will know how to act like royalty and here is Regina, she will be teaching you how to walk like a queen,"
I was still confused. She really agreed to help me after I stole her spot in the kingdom?
"Will you really help me on how to act like a queen? I stole the spot from you Princess Atasha so why are you doing this?"
The sweet smile on her face wasn't even erased when I said those words.
"It was the king's order Thalina. I will help you become a queen. You are aware no one dares to go against the king's order," she then leaned closer and whispered in my ear. "Besides this is my way of getting back at you for taking my spot. I will make you realize how hard it is to be royalty so you will regret your decision in taking my spot. I will make you suffer until you beg to be dethroned,"
She looked at my face again and looked me straight in the eyes. "You still have a chance before the blood moon appears in the sky Thalina. You still have a chance to run away and leave the palace,"