The Elven King's Consort

Chapter 4: Your Strength

Sitting across from Mother, I played with the tablecloth, twirling it back and forth forward and backward repeatedly between my fingers. I was a nervous wreck. Mother didn't seem pleased by the looks of how quietly she'd been sitting there sipping the tea and occasionally slicing a piece of a strawberry and vanilla cake. I've been here waiting for her to start saying something for the past ten minutes. If this were torture, I'd surely fail. And she knew that this was getting to me, punishing me for not informing anyone of the attack when I had the chance and instead hiding away.

It was around when I turned sixteen years old that I began to hide and suffer alone. The looks of the maids and servants always were the same: pity. I hated the way they all looked at me. So that's why I hid. The attacks would pass eventually anyway, so why even bother them? There was no cure, and the pain would put me into a coma by the time Cealestis arrived with anything to help lessen the symptoms. If I carried anything as a backup, I couldn't move in time to take it, even if I wanted or tried. And no maid or servant has the time to follow me every day, all day and night, and I didn't want that either. I'm not going to be treated like a sick, helpless princess. You could call it stubborn and prideful; I don't care.

"Nadalia," Mother spoke, finally shaking me out of my deep negative thoughts. I looked up at her, releasing the severely wrinkled cloth between my fingers.

"Yes, Mother?" I asked, trying to hide my nervousness.

"How are you feeling? I heard from Cesteil's temporary maid that he found you severely sick."

"Ah, yes," I paused, trying to hide my embarrassment; the thought of him carrying me appeared almost distracting me; pushing it away, ignoring it, I returned to my confident self again," It was nothing. In fact, he shouldn't have even worried I was fine the entire time. It must've been a shock to see me in that state for the very first time, so he overreacted. Sorry to have worried you, mother."

"Just in case I've asked Cealestis to visit you later today," she commanded it, not asked, making my gut sink with dread, knowing he'd force me to consume so many elixirs again.

Trying to smile, I nodded, saying," Okay, Mother, I understand," it proved challenging to do so, but she was convinced.

"Good; now I have some important matters to discuss with you following your travels to the Elven Kingdom after your marriage documents are filled."

"Wait, Mother, I'd like to say something first," I quickly said, my heart rate rising and the small knot in my stomach becoming larger with the immense mix of emotions fueling it. Her eyes narrowed, but she didn't stop me.

"I'm sorry, but I can't go through with this marriage. Not to him."

She raised a brow and became concerned.

"We are strangers, and this is to benefit both kingdoms, but I don't want to marry like this. I want to fall in love and get to know the person I'd marry. It would be my choice. Like you and Father."

Her eyes softened, and she reached out a hand and placed it atop mine, which I had brought up sometime earlier to rest near the neatly fixed silverware and adorned plate.

"I know Nadalia. But trust me when I say this: you will find it in your heart to love Cesteil and appreciate us for this marriage and alliance. Why don't you give him a chance? He'll be staying here a few more days before traveling back. Go on a few dates with him. You might be surprised."

Mother smiled gently, but I couldn't help but show how disappointed I felt.

"Now, let's get back to what I wanted to say to you," she said, pausing to wave a maid nearby I hadn't noticed, and as she approached, my eyes slowly widened until they threatened to pop out of their sockets. She carried a bow and arrow set, and I turned to look at Mother, shocked, feeling the nerves within my body rattle.