Chapter 8 CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER EIGHT
ZARIA’S POV
I felt something shining bright into my eyes, making me lazily open them, with a loud yawn.
“Good morning, Your Grace,” I heard Elara’s voice, as she opened the window.
“Good morning, Elara,” I said, turning to face the other side of the room.
My eyes still feel heavy, sleeping on the floor has made me rather lazy, so I have to sleep for longer hours to regain strength.
“Your Grace, the chamber ladies are waiting for you,” She said, and my eyes widened.
Isn't it too early? Why would the chamber ladies come this early?
“Tell them to go back, it is too early to hold any meeting,” I groaned, stretching my feet, as I tried to drift to sleep again.
“It's past noon, Your Grace,” she said and I sat up immediately.
It can't be, I turned to the bed, and Max was gone, he went to class and left me to sleep away the day, such a scumbag.
“How long have they been waiting?” I asked, immediately getting up from the floor.
I folded the duvet on the bed and arranged my beddings.
“They have been waiting since the early hours of the morning, before the Alpha departure,” She exhaled, “They got worried that something bad had happened to you, and told me to hurry and check up on you”
The thought of him leaving me to sleep throughout the morning sent chills down my spine. He must have tiptoed while getting ready for class, because I am a light sleeper, and any movement makes me conscious.
“Tell the court ladies to wait in the secluded corridor, I will be there in fifteen minutes,” I said, searching my wardrobe for a suitable dress to wear.
“The…corridor is off limits, Your grace” She stuttered.
“No Elara, it's for court members,” I corrected, “Get the lock from the guards and let the ladies make themselves comfortable”
“No one has the key to the lock except the Alpha and Beta of the pack,” She stated with her head bowed.
So that's why he didn't bother to wake me up before leaving, he didn't want to offer me the key to the lock.
“Well then, if there is no key to the lock, then I'm going to school,” I sneered, dropping a red dress on the bed.
“You can't leave either, The Alpha made it clear that you aren't allowed to leave the palace until his arrival,” She stated, without emotion.
“Can he do that?” I growled, and Elara nodded her head.
That scumbag thinks he owns me huh?
“I would be waiting for you outside, Your grace,” she said with a bow and left the room.
Being forced to marry Max is unbearable, but being forced to perform duties is way worse than unbearable, and he would definitely pay for it.
I snatched my towels and headed to the bathroom, got a quick bag.
I changed into a red dress that covered my legs, up to my toes, then I styled my hair in a French style and applied slight makeup, I need to look good when meeting my court ladies, first impressions matter.
After getting ready, I came out and Elara led the way to my court ladies.
Gwen has not visited my chambers, and I wondered the reason behind it, curiosity took the better part of me.
“Where is my assistant?” I asked, as I tried to keep up with Elara’s pace. Regardless of her age, she looks fit, I could barely keep up with her pace.
“I don't have an idea where she is, Your Grace, I will tell the maids where to find her,” She replied to my question and I gave a slight nod.
I need to know Gwen’s whereabouts, to know what she would be plotting, for my survival in the next one year, I need to keep my friends close and my enemies closer.
Soon we were in a room, decorated with purple, the decorations were a sight for sore eyes, it was incredible but I chose not to show any surprise.
Immediately I stepped into the room, all the women stood up and bowed their heads.
I am getting used to their formal greeting already, even though I knew it was just temporary.
“You may take your seat,” I said, staring at each of them.
They are six in number, seated around a table, in the middle of the huge room.
An empty chair at the front of the table was mine, so I went there and sat on it.
“Good day, my ladies,” I greeted them and they all scorned me.
“We have been waiting since the early hours of the morning your Grace,” One of the ladies growled, she looked elderly but not as old as Elara.
“You kept us waiting like we are common peasants and that isn't acceptable,” The lady sitting beside me chimed in, she would be around my age, and her fairness was one to admire.
I cleared my throat immediately, “Apologies, His Grace had assigned me something to do, before any court meetings”
They all nodded their heads in understanding.
“Well, we were told that you stole the position you sit on today,” The lady beside me sneered, and the court members chuckled, like it were something amusing.
“Don't make a Jest of Her Grace, Lady Catherine,” The Elderly woman scolded, and they all kept quiet.
My cheeks reddened in embarrassment, how am I supposed to be a good Luna when everyone has the wrong perspective of me, when everyone thinks I stole my stepsister’s position?
“What I meant was that, you would be staying with us for a year, what…”
“That's not what you might,” I said, cutting Catherine shut.
I wanted to allow it to slide, but I remembered what Max said, I have to act like I own the pack.
“Wh..at?” She stuttered, with fear in her eyes.
“The next time you speak to me in such a manner, I will make sure to cut off your tongue, “ I threatened and she grasped.
“It is wrong for the Luna to threaten her court Lady,” She yelled, and I let a smile slide to the corners of my lips.
“That wasn't a threat,” I growled, giving her a burning gaze