Tied to the Throne

chapter eighteen

It feels like I'm in a dream, detached from reality. The sounds around me are muffled and distant, and everything looks distorted, like I'm looking through a broken mirror.

My chest feels tight and my heart is pounding, and I can't shake this feeling of unease. It's like I'm trapped in my own body, unable to escape this surreal nightmare.

I try to focus on my surroundings, but my mind feels foggy and my thoughts are jumbled. I can't make sense of anything, and I feel like I'm losing control.

The world around me continues to move, but I'm stuck in this strange, surreal state. It's terrifying and overwhelming, and I just want to escape this nightmare and return to reality.

Snap.

I am stood at the center of the grand ballroom, surrounded by towering chandeliers and glittering decorations. But despite the opulence of the setting and the joyous occasion that had brought us all together, I can feel the tears start to well up in my eyes. This had just begun, and yet I already feel overwhelmed and unhappy. The weight of expectation and the pressure to perform the perfect bride is crushing me, and I don't know how to escape it.

Many words of 'congratulations' are said to me, and every time someone says those stupid words to me I feel more like bursting out in tears. There is nothing to congratulate.

"Princess Arabella! This was all such an amazing evening," a cold and deep voice snaps me out of my miserable daze.

I look up to see an unfamiliar man. He was tall and broad, with dark down hair, large sideburns and a moustache. I can't help but feel small under his intense glare. There is something in his eyes that tells me stay the hell away. But I cannot be rude.

"Oh, thank you! But I'm unsure if we've met before," I say as polite as possible, a questioning tone finishing my sentence.

"Ah! Forgive me, my name is King Salvatore from the kingdom of Maypuck," he holds out a hand for me to shake.

Salvatore.

Nikolai told me about him, and how he managed to get a last minute invitation.

I resist the urge to recoil as his hand reaches for mine, opting instead to force a polite smile onto my lips. Despite my efforts to remain composed, a wave of unease washes over me as I sense his presence growing closer. My instincts scream at me to retreat, to flee from this man who seems to exude an unsettling aura. Though I cannot pinpoint the exact cause of my discomfort, every fiber of my being is urging me to keep my guard up.

My eyes wonder the room, trying to find Nikolai so he can possibly come to save me.

He is no where to be seen.

Frantically, my eyes scour the room once again, scanning the sea of faces in search of his familiar features. My heart quickens its pace as I realize how vulnerable and alone I am in this moment.

Salvatore's eyes lingering a little too long, his touch a little too familiar. I am relieved when my Nikolai finally appears out of nowhere, swooping in to save me from the uncomfortable situation.

"Salvatore, I can't help but notice how close you are to my wife," his voice is demanding yet questioning, and fucking hot.

Wife.

It doesn't quite sound right.

I'm going to have to become used to the label, because from now on I'm stuck with it.

I feel a wave of gratitude towards him. Despite all his faults and our tumultuous relationship, he was still there for me when I needed him most. Sure this is the only time he's ever done something like this but still.

He pulls me close, murmuring reassuring words in my ear, and for a brief moment, I feel safe and protected.

As we dance away from the unwelcome attention, I couldn't help but feel conflicted. I hate my husband, but I can't deny the feeling of safety he provides. It is a strange, complicated mix of emotions that I know I have to sort through later, but for now, I am just glad to have someone to shield me from the unwanted advances of strangers.

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i really want to write the next few things i have planned. you lot are going to hate me for it but it helps with the plot 😘 thanks for reading :)
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