Chapter 38

“Come on Olivia, then you're thinking about the dog…Lycan! Beauty?"

I finished getting ready, something inside me knew it didn't make sense, Josh left without even saying goodbye to me?

As I walked through the halls I felt my body weigh a ton, and it weighed even more when Petros gave me his hand, I felt how cold I was, and how those hands would never be special and warm like Josh's. But I took a deep breath, that was part of my show, and I needed to stage it the right way.

I smiled with all my teeth, but it was clear that there was no kind of happiness, as Petros looked at me with those shining eyes I felt like a prisoner, I know it was my idea, but still, he now to me seemed so strange .

“Hi boys... I called you here to formalize a date for your wedding.”

I felt the weight again, the weight of my decision settle on me in that very moment, and although I thought I was ruthless I wasn't. I realized at that moment!

“So we talked and thought the sooner the better! We want it to be quick and simple, don't we Olivia?”

He said squeezing my hand, I couldn't answer, I was truly paralyzed, I babbled a few words, all eyes turned to me, hoping that I would just make a mistake, that I would deny myself or have some exaggeratedly bad reaction.

And they were right.

“Look, you know what... We can wait, it's nothing that urgent... I mean we're in love. “

Petros remained gripping my hand tightly.

“But Olivia, haven’t we talked?”

The red eyes again

“Everything is difficult with you, isn't it Olivia? I asked for this opportunity because I didn't want to hurt you, I really didn't. But I will be obliged!”

"What? What are you talking about Josh?”

I spoke confused, while hearing the screaming around me, people calling me filthy from all corners, My father getting up from his throne and raising only one hand... Which made the rest shut up in the same moment.

“Up to the cell now!”

What kind of order was that? The cell emerged from the floor, and there it was... Josh lying on the floor, unconscious and trapped by chains of pure iron.

“JOSH! OH MY GOD,"

I screamed

Petros took my arm and the reaction I had was to punch him in the face, I felt the blood on my hands, I had done some damage to that damn son of a bitch!

“FUCKING TRAITOR! I WILL RIP OFF YOUR PETROS HEAD!”

“Contain the princess!”

He shouted in a haughty tone as five or six of my father's doormats came forward and held me down. There was no escape.

"Sorry Olivia, it's for your own good!"

I was only afraid of one thing... Ending up like My mother.

They were screaming in unison in that hall, and I only heard parts of it, because all my attention was finally focused on Josh, lying like that in that filthy cage. How did I not foresee what Petros was doing? How did I not know he was going to do that? Who would betray me? I should have insisted that Josh get the hell out of there, before he went heartbroken, rather than almost dead in that grotesque way.

I screamed in vain for him to finally let go, my father just stood up and looked at me, the look wasn't angry, it was worse, it was a look of contempt!

"So you brought your pet into our house Olivia, that wasn't smart enough... The last one who did that..."

“You killed, didn't you? My mom!"

He looked at me wide-eyed, looked at his council doormats who stood to his right.

“Empty the room, now!”

And one by one people left the room, Petros remained without looking at me, he knew what he had done, and for that crime... I would literally never forgive him!

When Josh woke up, he was visibly dazed, looking around in confusion. He only stopped looking when he met my gaze.

“Olivia!” He screamed, he saw that I was trapped, his look of deep despair made me gasp.

"Josh... my love... Forgive me, I'm not part of this!"

I said, swaying. They approached Josh with a hot iron, I could hear his screams, the smell of his skin being burned... I tried to free myself, but I couldn't.

“Let him go! For God's sake! I beg!"

I said crying, trying to break free anyway. I had so much hate inside of me.

“Are you… pity? From the mangy dog! I do not believe this! As long as he continues to suffer, I was going to give him a quick death, but seeing his despair I think we'll play a little more! You will marry Petros, and that's it! I cannot afford to lose another heiress.”

“I'd rather die - I said it spitting on the floor”

I will never marry that filth!

"Lucius... let's make a deal"

Said Petros approaching my father

"If Olivia submits, we'll release my brother... I think it's fair!"

My father was analyzing passing his hand on his chin.

"No! Olivia... does not accept!”

Josh yelled as he took a lash across the back.

“Shut up Dog!”

Petros shouted

“And so, it's a good deal. As long as she promises to forget him! Marry me for real, produce heirs…”

"No my love..."

He screamed and spanked, spanked and screamed tirelessly.

I couldn't let him die, I loved him too much to put my pride before his life.

"Done! I get married... But I want to watch Josh go free, with no one after him.”

If that's done, I accept my fate, but please... don't hurt him! - I threw myself to the ground, they couldn't stop me, I fell to my knees, crying a lot while trying to observe his sad expression. I looked at him and just spoke without making a sound, hoping he could read the "I love you" from my lips.

“Then so be it, let the dog go… Petros see the men and Olivia out… I want that filth out of here. Let it be clear Olivia... the day you run out of here and go after them, I declare war... I'm not kidding!"

I just nodded, anything to get him out of the cage. I followed him as they dragged him down the hall, he was out of strength from the many blows he took. And my heart was bleeding.

“Come on Olivia… decide on a date!”

Said Petros as soon as they threw him out, while the goons dragged me back.

“You pay me Petros, and I swear to you! You pay me!"

I said, he avoided looking me in the eye that bitch!

They kept pushing me around until they decided that they would chain me in a separate room in the castle until my wedding day arrived. Yeah, I had fallen for the story that people change. I thought if Josh had regrets, Petros too! We could go back to being good friends... Stupid!

I didn't resist, I accepted my inevitable fate with dignity and clarity, I could be calm knowing Josh was free, and fine! That he would have a long life, maybe with Hannah, that those lovely people on the damned bliss reserve would have a future, and no one would ever see a war. I was happy about it.

I couldn't imagine a scenario worse for me and better for others. When the dark room met a little light I knew it was Petros. By the way he sneaked in like a mouse.

"Get out of here, I don't even want to look at you."