Lady Wolfe | The Beginning | • Wattys 2022 •

11 - Betrothed

'I suppose you're doing fine, Meela,' she stilled when she heard the familiar, enticing deep voice.

'Victor,' she addresses him, not saying anything further. Her blue orbs shot him with an icy stare. He only smiled, pulling a chair for her. She just stood still, not budging at all. His smile never faltered, he chose not to sit too.

She remembered the Lord very well. Her handsome, once-used-to-be suitor. Meela was certain that if she never met Kane, this suitor would've been her husband. There was a certain spark to their relationship but they never ventured any further. Meela didn't want to test the depth of their feelings for each other, not when her heart was already spoken for.

'Why are you here Victor?' She asks him, fully aware of his intentions here.

'An arrangement has been made. I believe you are to marry me,' He explains nonchalantly. Her jaw was set and she bit on her tongue. Victor could see her reddening face.

'Did...Thea send you?'

'I have no connection whatsoever with the new Queen. I received a letter a few days ago. I would've been here sooner, I just didn't know if  you were alive. When I did, well I cannot just leave my betrothed unarmed and unprotected in a country all alone now can I?'

'I didn't send you any letters....'

Meela paused halfway as it started making sense to her. This was Kane's doing. He did this. He knew she would never agree to it, and still went along to make plans of his own. She gripped the wooden chair, channeling her rage into it. It was the only thing stopping her from finding Kane and bludgeoning him to death.

'As far as the Queen's concerned, you were in trouble and you sought my help as a last resort. At least that's what I told her. She doesn't need to know about your lover or the prostitute's involvement in these matters and I'm sure you would like to keep it that way.'

Meela sighed in frustration. This wasn't an offer, but a blackmail.

'A very romantic proposal, milord,' she sarcastically remarked, shooting him a dirty look. Victor's lips twisted with a smirk as he neared her.

'Ah back to the formalities again, Milady?' He rasped.

'I see you have no trouble stooping so low and blackmailing your own bride.'

His smile vanished and she couldn't help but feel a sense of achievement, having managed to bruise his ego.

'You should be careful with your words, Meela. You need me. I am your only way out of this mess,' he quickly reminds her while he leaned forward. His lips slightly brushed her ear when he spoke. She hated this. She was really, really furious now.

'I have told you and Kane so many times, I am not a damsel in distress. I do not need your help and I especially don't need your interference. I can look after myself but none of you listen. You all think I need a knight in shining armor every time hell breaks loose,' she spat. She was on eye level with him, refusing to submit to his blackmail.

'Meela, I really didn't take you for a fool until now. Is your ego really more important than your safety? I am your last resort. If the Queen comes to know of your hideout, the first thing she would do is lock you up somewhere. Somewhere where even your lover can't help you. What do you think those men guarding your cell will do to you? Better me than those men. I will respect our marriage, I will respect your virtue. But if I were to leave now wi thought you, it's only a matter of when the Queen would find you. She would know who conspired against her orders to hide you here. She will discover the truth about Kane and Ava. I don't think you would risk their lives just for the sake of escaping an arranged marriage?'