Chapter 18 Chapter 18
Thalina's POV
"Stand straight. Lift your chin," Regina instructed.
My knees were already shaking. My feet hurt as well from walking back and forth for hours but they didn't bother giving me a break.
"Are you tired, Thalina?" Princess Atasha teasingly asked.
In my periphery, I can see her and Regina laughing at me. I know they are having a great time seeing me suffer but I won't give up just like what they wanted. I already set my mind to being the Queen. I will do everything to be deserving of the crown.
"I can't see any improvement, Thalina. You can't even stand straight. Why don't you just give up?"
I stopped walking and removed the five thick books that they put above my head. I turned to Regina and met her insulting gaze.
"Can I have a few minutes break? I will train again later,"
Princess Atasha giggled and flashed an insulting look. "No," she firmly said. "A Queen doesn't have a break, Thalina. That's the rule you must keep inside your head. No one cares if your feet were already hurting. No one cares if you are already bleeding. You want the crown right?" She looked at me intently anticipating a response but I just stared back. "You brought this upon yourself, Thalina. If you think it will be easy then you are wrong," she then turned to Regina, "double those books. She must perfect her balance,"
Regina took another five books and piled them with the five books I removed earlier before putting them on top of my head.
"Same rule, Thalina. If a book fell then you have to start again,"
I clenched my fist and let out a deep breath before nodding. I will get through this. I can do this.
I can feel the book swaying by just standing. I steadied my body and gently lifted my chin. I took a step and two books instantly slid down.
"Again!" Princess Atasha strictly shouted.
Without any complaint, I took a step back and fixed my posture. I took a deep breath and stepped forward. This time I managed to take three steps but before I could take another step half of the books fell off my head.
"Again!"
"Again!"
"Again!"
My neck already felt numb. My body was swaying uncontrollably and I didn't even reach the middle. Tears brimmed in my eyes, threatening to fall.
"Princess Atasha,"
My step halted when I heard a very familiar voice. I turned my head, books falling off my head as I looked at Magnus. It took me a few seconds before I looked away, picking up the books on the floor. He rushed towards me, offering help.
"Thank you," I politely uttered as I pulled three books from his hand but he held them firmly. I looked at him straight in the eyes, raising my left eyebrow as I pulled the books from his hold. "Give me the books, Magnus,"
He finally loosened his hold but in my periphery, I can still see him looking at me.
I can feel my body trembling not because Magnus was looking but because of exhaustion. I know any moment I would end up falling on the floor but I still took a step...one after another. Every step was careful refusing to let even one book fall off my head. I was close to the middle when I twisted my ankle and I ended up falling on the floor.
"Thalina!" Magnus shouted, panic and worry laced in his tone.
Books are scattered on the floor. My ankle hurts like hell. The tears that I had been suppressing earlier fell on my cheeks uncontrollably.
"Thalina," Magnus gently called. He held my ankle, his touch was too gentle as if I was something fragile that was bound to be broken. When he brought his gaze to my face...I saw him...the old him...the old Magnus who loves me. "Everything will be fine. You will be fine,"
Despite the pain, I pulled my feet from his hold. "Why are you acting like this?" I blurted out which made his eyebrows furrow, almost touching. "Why are you acting like you still love me after everything you have done? You chose my sister over me, Magnus. You throw me out of your pack like I mean nothing to you and now here you are messing my life again. Why? Are you not done playing with me? You are not satisfied with all the pain you have given?"
He shook his head but words didn't come out of his mouth. I stared at him for quite some time before I found the strength to stand. I thought he would just let me go but he held my hand and put my arm over his shoulder, attempting to carry me but before he could lift me a commanding voice echoed in the hall.
"Let her go," Magnus stilled, his gaze turned on King Thaddeus who was heading towards us. "Keep your hands off my mate, Magnus,"
I felt Magnus' hold loosen until he finally let go. Before I could fall on the floor King Thaddeus possessively wrapped his arm around my waist. He swiftly lifted me from the floor as if I weighed nothing.
"I can walk," I protested but he just tightened his hold, his gaze still fixated on Magnus.
"Thalina sprained her ankle. You should apply a cold compress--"
"I will take care of her. I don't need your instructions, Magnus," he firmly uttered, cutting Magnus off then he walked away, carrying me on his arms.
"I told you I can walk," I protested once again but he didn't even bother looking at me. His jaw was clenched as if I had done something wrong again.
"I never thought you were this dumb, Thalina,"
My forehead automatically creased. What does he mean? Is he mad because I failed to perfect my walk and even sprained my ankle? He didn't even bother asking me if I was hurt. I admit I am not as good as Princess Atasha and I doubt I will be as good as her but does he have to insult me like this?
"I am sorry if I failed to meet your standards, your highness. I admit Princess Atasha is way smarter and elegant than me but do you have to rub it in my face?" Tears gathered on the corner of my eyes on the verge of falling.
He stopped walking and this time he finally looked at me, his eyebrows furrowed as if he was confused. "What are you talking about?"
"What am I talking about? I am talking about your bitch, you asshole. You and Atasha suit each other. Ruthless couple,"
His mouth hung open and he looked at me with a puzzled expression as if he didn't get what I meant.
I know I should control my temper. I am inside the palace and one wrong move can get me beheaded but I have lost all my logic. Right now I don't care if a sword will touch my throat. "Why don't you just be with her? You complement each other. You are a perfect match," I told him, my voice dripping in sarcasm.
The corner of his lips rose while staring at me. "Are you jealous, right now?"
Jealous? Why would I be jealous? I don't even like him.
"I should be the one getting jealous, Thalina,"
This time it was my turn to be confused. His jealous? Why because of Magnus?
"I told you to stay away from that asshole didn't I? Are you dumb at following instructions, Thalina?"
I fell silent unable to grasp what he meant. Magnus didn't even do anything. He was just trying to help me.
"I didn't do anything wrong," I defended.
"So are you trying to say that being held by Magnus was right?" He raised his eyebrow anticipating a response but I couldn't even formulate even a single word.
The way he stared was too intense and I couldn't even think straight.
"I don't know what you are talking about, King Thaddeus,"
His gaze darkened. His hold on my waist became even tighter as if he planned to squeeze me into his palm. "I don't want any men touching you, Thalina especially your asshole ex. I don't want anyone touching what's mine remember that?”
I know I shouldn't push it. I know the best thing to do now is to keep my mouth shut but I couldn't help but act recklessly.
"Why?" I playfully asked entertained by the reaction I am getting. "Are you jealous, King Thaddeus?”
His jaw ticked. His gaze darkened even more.
He fell silent but after a while, he finally spoke. "Yes," he admitted. I should have the upper hand. I started this but why does it feel like I am being defeated? "I am not good at controlling my jealousy, Thalina,"