She had promised not to interfer in their family affairs but that didn't stop her from seeing what Colin was doing as stupid.
Why turn down help for your daughter just because of your ego and have your wife unable to do anything about it because you are the 'husband'.
It felt more like a cage than a marriage, but who was she to judge.
Different people had their ways of doing things and if she tried to help Raquel out of it, she felt that she would only persumed it as a punishment instead of a favour. This was a life she knew and knew nothing asides from it.
Maybe in future, she would change it but I till that one month was over, she must stay totally out of it.
"Good morning, Colin."
"My Lady, the King will not be able to join you for the breakfast this morning. I have been ordered to express his deepest apologies and his promise to make it up to you at dinner."
"Thank you. Your wife already told me that."
Something ticked in his jaws, his gaze flying to Raquel, who gulped, arching her shoulders up, while her gaze bored a hold into the red rug.
"My wife." Then he looked away from her, looking up at Belladonna again. "May I take my leave my leave, my Lady?"
"Of course."
He took his leave, shutting the door behind him.
Belladonna was confused.
Was Raquel being his wife supposed do be some secret?
"Did I do something wrong?"
"Wh-what?!"
"Was it supposed to be a secret that you are his wife?"
Raquel chuckled.
"No. Not at all. Enjoy your morning, My Lady."
She took her excuse and left too.
Belladonna decided not to think too much of it then.
All morning, she sew, using some of the thick fabrics that she had gotten from the people's gifts. Knowing that it was mostly cold out in the Capital, she made sweaters.
First, she started with writing down the measurements, but the silver pen she had wanted to use, the one the boy at the Capital's market had given to her as a gift, had no ink.
Belladonna chuckled, certain that it had been nothing but an honest mistake.
When Raquel brought her breakfast, she asked her for another pen, while looking for a book to write down the measurements. She had stumbled on the one she had a while back, where she had been writing down different theories concerning the reason for the Choosing Ritual and Ceremony.
Looking back now, and reading what she had written down, laughter bubbled in her throat.
Her train of thought was absolutely hilarious.
To think that one of the theories were 'eating the brides'.
Ah!
She had just been paranoid for no reason.
Raquel came back with a new pen and a new book and she thanked her.
Rushing up her breakfast, Belladonna got down to working and that was what she did till mid evening.
"What do you think?" She asked Raquel who pulled the sweater she had made over her shoulders and buttoned up.
"It's comfy." She smiled, closing her eyes briefly in comfort.
Whatever was making Raquel happy, Belladonna prayed it would never disappear.
Happy Raquel was such a nice company to have.
Her medications must really be working.
This was wonderful.
"Do you think there is way you can," with her fingers linked together, she cracked her knuckles, while resting back against her dressing chair. "Maybe sell them?"
"Can I tell the buyers you made them?" Her eyes brightened with an idea and she was practically jumping from one foot to another. "Oh, oh, oh. I have an idea. How about you have your own symbol on the clothes you make, something that cannot be easily stolen."
"Oh, like making the symbol with a special thread. Inaymi's seamstress had that too. Can you help me get the thread?"
"Of course, I will tell one of the girls to."
Belladonna nodded, standing up, her back feeling stiff, her butt numb like hard rock.
She must have been sitting there for hours. In fact, she was only now observing her lunch that Raquel had set up for her, most likely hours ago.
It must be cold by now.
She wasn't really hungry too.
"Is the King still in the dungeon with the dragon?" Belladonna asked, her face creased with worry.
It was already in the early hours of the evening. She really hoped not.
"No, my Lady. He is training?"
"Training?"
Raquel nodded, smiling, and Belladonna noticed for the first time since today that the rip at the neckline of her uniform had been neatly fixed.
"Do you want to see his Majesty?"
Did she want to see the King while his muscles flex under the light of this golden setting sun, as he takes down his opponent in fair victory?
Definitely.
***
The king wasn't shirtless... and Belladonna should have known that it would be that way.
For someone that covered his face with a mask, had a need to cover his hand with gloves, training shirtless would definitely not be his thing, yet this sight was glorious.
The sound of swords clashing against the other wasn't something Belladonna liked, it echoed in her ears somehow and she found that highly disturbing but for this energetic sight in front of her, she would endure it.
There were different warriors standing around in the large training room, upon seeing her, they bowed slightly in respect and Belladonna tried to respond as quickly as she could with a smile of acknowledgment, while she stayed by the door with Raquel.
Eli was so engrossed in the fight against his three opponents, he most likely hadn't noticed her.
With a quick move, his sword clashed against his opponents, twirling around them quickly, making them lose their weapons to the air. In a flash, he had slammed his opponents to the ground, two with their swords nailing a tip of their shirts to the ground, rendering them temporarily immobile, while the other had the King's sword, pointed to adam's apple.
Actions declaring the silent victory, the King back away and looked up straight at her, an irresistible smile stretched across her face, as he tossed his sword to the floor, walking closer to her.
Then he back away and looked straight up at her, an uncontrollae smile stretched across her lips.
"Well, I think I have accompanied you enough, my Lady. If you will excuse me." Raquel said, hurriedly taking her leave.
Finally now by her side, he threw his hand over her shoulders, drawing her closer to him.
"Did my little display please you?"
"Display?" She asked with an unsure smile, the presence of the people still in the training room, fading into the background of her mind.
"I was about to take them all down the moment you walked in but having you as an audience to my evening training, I decided to stretch it out, not make it too quick, so you could feast your eyes on me a little longer."
He paused, leaning forward, his hand moving through her hair, his voice light with humor, yet serious in an irresistible way.
"It is something I cannot help, you know. I want your eyes on me all the time, my Donna."
"And you? What about your eyes? Who are they on?"
He chuckled softly, his smoldering gaze holding hers.
"You already know who."