Betrothed to Trouble

Chapter 21 - A Betrayal of the Heart

 “You’re awfully quiet,” I mumbled softly as I gently washed away the last traces of powder from the bridge of his chiselled nose. The silence between us was deafening, and finally I couldn’t take it anymore.

“You too,” he replied, matching my hushed tone. His bright blue eyes, which had been peacefully closed as I washed his face, suddenly fluttered open, gazing into my own emerald ones with disconcerting intensity.

I let out a small nervous laugh as I dipped back the washcloth into the ceramic bowl of warm water resting on the pink marble sink. “This feels strange, that’s all,” I admitted, avoiding his gaze as I gingerly brushed away a lock of golden hair from his forehead before dabbing it with warm water.

The hilarity of Sergei’s situation had come to an abrupt end when he demanded I wash it off for him. He had stubbornly refused  to let any of the maids nor servants to see him in that state, let alone wash his face for him. Father didn’t help either, he had merely patted me on the shoulder, and still chuckling, wished me luck before leaving me alone with Sergei once more. So much for his fatherly concern from earlier. So here we are, the two of us sitting in my bathroom as I painstakingly cleansed his face from the layers of makeup I had graced him with. Now I regret slapping on this much rouge. Such a waste!

“Strange, indeed,” he replied hoarsely, his hand reaching up to hold mine which was rubbing his cheek, keeping it in place as he leant into it. “I can’t believe you’re my wife,” he whispered, his eyes softening as his gaze continued to hold me prisoner.

“I -,” I began, the words catching in my throat as his words and  surprisingly gentle action caught me off guard.

What is he doing now? His colours are always shifting, it’s imppossible for me to see through his endless charades. One moment he’s that arrogant, stubborn prince from Freyrgard, and the next moment he’s all gentle and charming. I remembered how he had told me he loved me a few days ago, how his words had sent me running away as far as I could. This is all a farce. He’s just playing his part.

“Stop that,” I finally managed to choke out, pulling my hand away from his grasp and taking a few steps backwards to put some distance between us. Taking a few deep breaths to calm myself, I turned to face the marble sink, ignoring his reflection in the huge mirror as he gazed at me curiously. “Seriously, stop it!” I exclaimed in frustration, shooting him an exasperated glare through the mirror.

“Stop what?” he asked me, his brows furrowed in confusion as he cocked his head to one side. The perfect picture of innocence.

“Drop the act, Sergei,” I hissed, turning around to point a finger at him accusingly. “You’ve been doing this for the last few days,” I glared at him, channeling all my distrust and anger into my eyes.

“Whoa, calm down, Giselle,” he stood up in surprise, walking over to me, but I held up my hands in front of me to fend him away.

“Don’t come closer,” I warned him tiredly, and was relieved when he stopped a few feet in front of me.

“What do you mean I’m acting?” he asked one more time, sounding so sincerely lost that it only made me angrier.

I scoffed and shook my head in disgust at his expression. “I don’t know what your motives are,  but I suggest you stop it right now. Some days you have your sweet, charming act up and some days you’re just a complete jerk.  I don’t even know which one is the real you,” I took a shuddering gasp of breath as I finished my explanation.

“So you think this is all an act?” he frowned, still not giving up on his acting. “Why would I pretend?”

I let out a heavy sigh, and crossed my arms over my chest irritably. This argument is never going to go anywhere. “I don’t know,”  I shrugged. “All I’m telling you is that you stop trying to seduce me. I may be your wife, but as you said, this isn’t a real marriage,” I stressed the last two words to make my point clear.