CHAPTER 116: I’M CALM!

• ELOISE •

I yawned, stretching my hands to the air as well as my legs, before tossing on the bed and groaning at that simple movement because a splitting headache followed. I whined, holding my forehead as I sat up.

I looked at the glass doors leading to the balcony. Why was that open?

Squinting my eyes at the table where the leftover meals from yesterday were, and then at the empty bottle. Two.

Gods! Did I finish that?

I heard the locks from the door, the sharp sound of it causing me to wince.

The doors opened, and Drevon walked in. I wasted no time as I grabbed the pillow and thrusted it with all my might.

Drevon reacted quickly, dodging as the pillow shot into the corridor. He looked back at me with a shocked expression. "Eloise."

"Eloise?" I huffed. "The nerve of you to call me that. Well then, husband, how about you explain yourself while I’m still asking nicely?"

He closed the door behind him. "Explain what?"

"You beast!" I rise on my knees. "You..." My body gave out before I could finish.

I was hopeful I’d fall back to bed, but I thought wrong because I was a few seconds away from breaking my neck.

Drevon caught me, eyes erratic as he monitored me.

"Are you alright? Why are you suddenly dizzy?"

I clenched my teeth and used my palm on his jawline to ward him off.

"Get off me!"

"Calm down!"

"I’m perfectly calm!" I yelled, fighting him off. "And—" I squealed when he pushed me back on the bed and trapped my hands on my side.

"You don’t look calm, little wife, you’re clearly throwing a tantrum. How about you tell me what’s wrong, hm? Tell me how I can make it better."

I hated it when he spoke in such a loving tone, giving me that soft expression of desperation.

"Why did you lock me in your chambers the entire day?"

His eyebrow furrowed. "I couldn’t let you leave unattended, especially when there’s no one to watch you."

"Watch me? Am I some child?"

"No, you’re my wife, and your safety is what matters to me most." He leaned close until our noses touched.

My mouth watered at his scent, it was...unexplainable, but after drowning my nose, I discovered it was a rich scent of spice, a flavor so inviting I felt my body buzzing from it like I had been kissed by a hot flame.

"Why do you smell so good?" I moaned, licking my lips. My body was suddenly on fire, and when I opened my eyes, Drevon’s gaze was fixed on my lips.

He released one of my hands, and his thumb brushed the corner of my mouth, along with it a trail of something slick.

I froze when I realized I had drool. My cheeks burned, and embarrassment pierced my body; the urge to dig the sheets and bury myself was deeply overwhelming.

Just when I thought Drevon would be disgusted, he surprised me when he brought that same thumb to his mouth and sucked on it.

Merciful gods! What am I to do with this beast? That shouldn’t make me feel hot, but it did.

"W-Why did you do that?" I found my voice.

"Do what?" he asked innocently.

I opened my mouth to speak, but a piercing headache came, and I hissed, turning to the side.

"Your breath smells of wine, don’t tell me you drank yourself to a stupor last night. It’s not healthy."

"Why do you care?" I mumbled, rubbing my forehead. "You’re the one who kept me as your prisoner."

"Eloise," he said softly, helping me up and I groaned.

"I’ll ask Talia to make a brew for you. Have you had water this morning?"

"No."

He rose from the bed, and I heard his footsteps followed by the pouring of water into the crystal goblet. Then he walked back to me and sat beside me.

Drevon pushed some strands of my hair covering my face and placed a hand beneath my chin.

"Here, drink."

He positioned the goblet at my mouth, and I drank, wincing a few times. But Drevon didn’t stop until I finished the whole thing.

I swallowed thickly and said with a warning look in my eyes. "Lock me in your chambers again and I’ll make you regret it."

He kissed my cheek. "I’ll keep that in mind."

I pushed against his chest, and he laughed softly

"Come now, let me bathe you," he offered.

"T-There is no need for that, I’m not weak. I can do that myself."

"I know, but I want to..." he said, taking my wrist and kissing that spot.

I shivered.

If I end up in that bathing chamber with Drevon, today might end up becoming cheat day.

~•~

Luckily, I was able to escape Drevon’s offer.

Finally, I was out of confinement, even though it was temporary, I hated it. I’ll make sure Drevon never forgets this, even if I have to resort to spending the entire week avoiding him.

"Where are we off to, princess?" Ravyn asked.

"Where were you yesterday? If you had been around, I wouldn’t have endured the entire day being confined."

"Oh, forgive me. There were matters to attend to." She brushed a strand of her golden hair behind her ear.

"Why are your hands stained with ink? Don’t tell me those matters were reading."

"You could say that."

I gasped, finding it hard to believe.

"Your Grace, how is your health? You were in so much pain a night ago," Osha said worriedly.

"I’m all better now, I must have gotten sick," I mumbled in reply before facing my sweet Osha. "There is nothing to worry about now."

She smiled before facing ahead. "We’re here!"

We came to a halt, and I folded my arms. "Do you think the princess will see us?"

"Given how you keep barging uninvited to wings, I have no answer for that," Ravyn replied.

I rolled my eyes. "That was a necessary cause which I now regret."

"What?"

"Never mind." I raised my fist to knock, but the door opened abruptly.