A villain's heart

CHAPTER FOUR

Astoria Evergreen

Upon my arrival at Delilah's quarters, I was met with a hug from her. “I didn't think you'd accept my invitation.” she smiled. “Neither did I, but I did.” I answered. She took me out for a walk in the garden. The garden was adorned with sunflowers, tulips and lavenders. The grass looked lusciously green. “It's peaceful here.” I said as we sat down on the grass. She nodded. “It is. You'd be surprised if you found out how many times I've come here so I could calm myself and be away from everyone. You understand?” she said. I smiled at her. It was peaceful. “Wanna ride a horse through the city? It'll be fun.” she asked. I nodded and got on one of the horses and she did the same. It was a peaceful ride. Peace before the storm I presumed and I was right. As we were taking our horses, we were met with a “prince”. Behind him were royal guards. “Princesses move out of the way.” he said. I and Delilah moved our horses to the side. “Didn't even ask us properly?” I muttered. He paused. “Why should I ask a woman for anything? She should do whatever she is told or ordered to do.” he answered. “The rules of this Kingdom stated that but where I'm from everyone is equal. That has created peace for years. This mindset you keep cannot be good for you or the woman you shall be with or are with.” I argued. He smirked. “Do you know what the first virtue of a woman is in this Kingdom?” he asked. It was:
𝑆ℎ𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑠𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑛𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑚𝑎𝑛 𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑢𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑙𝑦 𝑜𝑛 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑜𝑟 𝑏𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑛𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑠. I thought of it in my head. “I see you've thought of it, now put it into action.” he said and rode away. I rolled my eyes, so the men in this city are only educated in disciplining woman. “Sorry about that.” Delilah said. “It's fine, it's not your fault.” I answered. I went back to the Palace later on in the evening. Ernest was talking to the same prince I saw in the afternoon. “Oh there she is. Astoria I have someone special you have to meet.” he said smiling. “Who?” I asked. “My brother Ikaris. Ikaris meet Astoria. You both finally meet.” he said wrapping his arm around Ikaris' shoulder. I looked into Ikaris' forest green eyes that were filled with confusion. “You!” we both finally exclaimed. “I thought my wife would be someone more humble but it seems I was wrong.” he remarked. “By humble you mean obedient?” I asked.
“Absolutely.” he answered. “And Ernest, when mom said that she shouldn't attend those talks. I think she was wrong.” he added. “It's up to you as you say.” Ernest answered. I looked at them confused. I didn't even bother asking, I went to my chambers.
Later on, I came out of the bathroom drying my hair with a cloth. I saw something on my dressing table.

𝐷𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝐴𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑎

𝑃𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝐼𝑘𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑠 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑎𝑠𝑘𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑜𝑦𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒'𝑠 𝑔𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑛.
𝑌𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑏𝑒 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑚𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠.

𝑅𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑠

𝑃𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝐼𝑘𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑠' 𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑎𝑛𝑡

I threw the letter away. Why would I want to be near him? I got into my bed
and fell asleep. I felt my blanket being pulled off. “Wake up.” Ikaris said. “What? Oh my goodness what?” I asked annoyed because I was woken up early. “Where's you ring?” he asked.
“Where's my ring? Huh? Where's?” I repeated still trying to come back to my senses. “What are you a parrot repeating everything I say?” he angrily asked. “My ring's in my jewellery box.” I said putting my head back on my pillow. I closed my eyes slowly about to doze off but he pulled my arm making me face him. “And where is your jewellery box? How should I know where it is?” he asked. I get off the bed removing my hand from his grip.
Why did he make me wake up so early? For a ring? I open my jewellery box and take out my ring. “Wear it.”he demanded. “Why?” I asked. “Why did you wake me up? Just for a ring? Fine, fine.” I wore the ring. “Happy?” I asked and got into the bed muttering curses under my breath. My head hit the pillow and I dozed off. This man really woke me up for me to wear a ring what's next I should recite the 100 virtues of woman to him every morning?