A villain's heart

CHAPTER FIVE

Astoria Evergreen

I woke up late and went downstairs. Ikaris ruined my sleep last night or in the morning whatever it is. I sat down to have breakfast. “You're late.”Ikaris said. 𝑆ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑠 𝑢𝑝 𝑎𝑡 𝑑𝑎𝑤𝑛 𝑡𝑜 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑟 ℎ𝑢𝑠𝑏𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑠 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑦 𝑑𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑠. I ignored him for a few seconds and bowed down to the king and queen. I gave a quick nod to Ernest. “It's your fault.” I answered taking a bite of my toast. “Nevermind that now, you shall you go with my mother to a talk about being a good woman, wife and daughter in law.” he said. I looked at him confused. “Says who?” I asked. “Says me.” he answered. “Says you and that's supposed to mean something to me?” I blurted. I should have said that in head. “Of course, every single woman in my family has gone to this talk.” he said. “But I'm married to you not your family.” I answered. “But I'm apart of the Novàk family and through marriage you're related to my family.” he argued. “What marriage? Huh? The marriage you left for five years? What is that? And the talk you speak of, I will only attend it for the sake of your mother not you.” I stood up and stormed off.
Marriage? He didn't even know a thing about me. The queen came into my room as I was looking for my ring. “Astoria?” she called out. I wore my ring. “Yes?” I answered. “Ikaris, my son has failed you in many ways as a husband. I'm sure you might have wished for something better than this relationship. He is difficult man, like his father of course but do not give up on him. I'm asking a lot from you. You don't have to attend the talk. You've the 100 virtues of a woman already. It's fine.” she said. She was speaking as a mother. I nodded. I respected her but I didn't want to deal with Ikaris. She gave me a half smile and left. I went into the garden to have a cup of tea and think about what her majesty had said. “Will you rekindle your relationship with the prince?” Mila asked bringing me a cup of tea. “There was no relationship in the first place. There's nothing to rekindle.” I answered. She went quiet. A man came in front of me and bowed. “Your majesty.” he said. He looked at Mila and smiled. She smiled back blushing. I glanced at both of them. “If you two are done romancing each other, will you state why you are here?” I snapped. “Your majesty this is Prince Ikarisʼ servant. His name is James. ” Mila informed me. I looked at her then him. “My master is coming here. He wants to talk to you. He is angry about your argument today.” James said. Ikaris appears. “Speak of the devil and the devil appears.” I muttered. He sits in front of me. “My mother asked me to apologize to you.” he said. James poured him a cup of tea. “As if you will.” I remarked. His breath hitched.
“I only tolerate you. Don't think I respect you.” he confessed. “Why did you marry me?” I asked. “I didn't pick you. If I was the one to pick a wife again, it wouldn't be you.” he said. “Divorce me.” I suggested. “I can’t. I will not degrade your reputation and dignity.” he answered. “You've done that already.” I said. “Oh of course blame me. Your family let you go.” he blurted angrily. I threw my tea at him and walked away. It was ice tea luckily. I'm not that cruel but I didn't like him. Mila followed me after me. “Oh come on your highness. You were supposed to have a normal conversation with him. Talk it out like couples do, instead you threw tea at him.” she said. “We're not a couple Mila. I don't want to be anywhere near him.” I said angered by his words. I walked into my  chamber's and sat at my dressing table. There were letters I had written to my father explaining each day of my life in this family, but I could never get myself to send him the letters. My thick brown journal sat on top of these letters, in front of me was the mirror, my jewelry box on the left. Inside one of the drawers there were drafts of my wills and the other had a locket my late mother had gifted me before her death.