Your Highness," a familiar voice called out, fracturing the quiet of the threshold.

Odesse and Cara both turned to see Eryx walking toward them from the path leading to the western grounds. He wore his usual linen tunic, and his leather apron was slightly dusty from work, but his posture was tense, and his hands fidgeted at his sides. As his eyes locked onto Odesse, a flash of hesitation crossed his face, caught between the girl he used to share jokes with and the Queen standing before him now.

He stopped a few paces away and quickly bowed his head. "Forgive the interruption. I... I was hoping to speak with you. Privately, if it pleases your Highness."

Odesse blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift. She looked back at Cara, who glanced between Eryx and her. Odesse gave her a reassuring nod, and Cara stepped back, indicating that she would wait in the courtyard.

"Of course, Eryx," Odesse said softly.

She stepped off the palace threshold, gesturing for him to lead the way. Eryx turned and guided her down the familiar gravel path toward the royal stables. They didn’t go inside the bustling barn, where the other stable hands were grooming the horses. Instead, Eryx led her to a quiet, shaded stone wall at the very edge of the carriage house.

The air here smelled entirely of dry hay, sweet feed, and aged leather.

As they came to a stop near the stone wall, the silence between them grew heavy. The palace courtyard was still visible in the distance, with Cara standing faithfully by the archway.

Eryx rubbed the back of his neck, looking down at his boots before finally gathering the courage to look at her face. "I didn’t think you’d actually come walk with me," he admitted, his voice rough and quiet.

Odesse looked at him and asked, "Why wouldn’t I?"

He stuttered slightly as he replied, "Because of how I reacted the last time we spoke." Then he immediately bowed low and said, "I’m really sorry. I shouldn’t have behaved like that."

Odesse widened her eyes. "What? No, no! I’m the one who should apologize." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

He looked up at her as he slowly stood straight. She held her dress firmly and continued, "I should have known that you would not be able to process what I told you right on the spot, and I overreacted by being rude. I really am sorry."

Eryx’s face turned red in surprise as he looked at her, then quickly held her hands before putting them back down. "No, what are you doing? A queen should never do that."

Odesse looked down, and he continued, "Anyways, none of this was your fault. You tried inviting me in, and I was absolutely rude and arrogant. I should have listened to whatever you had to say."

She looked at him, and he glanced downward, his voice softer and quieter as he said, "I should have told you sooner... maybe... maybe."

Odesse looked at him, confused. "Told me what, Eryx?"

He looked at her, his eyes soft and hands fidgeting, his heart beating uncontrollably, and said, "I should have told you sooner that I... I am in love with you."

Odesse eyes widened and her mouth parted halfway. "What! You’re in..."

Eryx looked at her, his eyes scanning her face as he slowly held her hands, bringing them closer to him. Odesse’s eyes were wide as she said, "What are you doing?"

He said to her in a panicked state, "Look, Odesse, I don’t care if you’re human or a wolf. I love you, and you love me too, right? If I had told you before, you would be with me, not that vile man."

Odesse’s eyes widened in horror as she looked at Eryx, who spoke in an unstable manner. "What is all this you’re saying, Eryx? I do not understand."

His eyes grew menacing as he said, "You love me, right, Odesse?"

Odesse looked at him, unable to speak. "Have you gone mad, Eryx? What is this behavior?"

Eryx took her hand and said "I won’t force you to do anything without your permission, we can run far away and our love will blossom." His grip tightened as Odesse struggled, saying, "Let go of me, Eryx. You have gone mad. Let go!"

Just then, Cara rushed in and slapped Eryx hard, causing him to stumble. Odesse’s eyes widened as Cara held her protectively. "Your Highness, are you okay?" she asked. Odesse nodded shakily as she looked at Eryx, who was now looking down. He raised his head, and tears began streaming down his face as he said, "Odesse, don’t leave me, please. You’re pregnant, Odesse. You’re pregnant already. It’s all over. You’re carrying his heir."

Cara’s face turned disgusted at the sight of Eryx. "What is your problem? How dare you touch her that way!"

He looked at Cara and said, "She loves me, but she is being forced into this marriage by that man."

Cara glared at him in irritation. "What...?"

Odesse looked at her hands and saw Eryx’s hand marks around her wrists. She looked at Cara and said, "It’s okay, Cara. Let’s leave here, please. I feel dizzy."

Eryx fell to his knees, causing Odesse to flinch as he pleaded, "Odesse, don’t leave me, please! That man... he will do something evil to you. You have to believe me. He is not who he seems."

...

The royal bedchamber was dimly lit as Odesse sat at the edge of the bed, while Cara sat on a lower stool in front of her. A bowl filled halfway with hot water sat on a table, steaming, as Cara gently pressed a cloth that had been taken out of the water onto Odesse’s wrist. Cara looked at Odesse and asked, "Are you sure you won’t talk to His Highness about today’s incident?"

Odesse glanced at her, worry etched on her face. "Eryx has never acted like that, Cara. We were very close friends before I became a queen," she paused, watching Cara press the cloth on her wrist. "So this behavior he displayed today is concerning."

Cara looked at her intently. "What did he say to you?"

Odesse’s voice came out quietly. "He said he regrets not telling me he was in love with me and that he is sure I love him too..."

Cara’s frustration was evident as she pressed the cloth on Odesse’s wrist. "What! Has he gone mad?"

Odesse softly replied, worry dancing across her forehead, "He also said that His Highness is not who he claims to be."

Cara laughed mockingly as she stood. "He is really mad. I’m certain that young lad was drunk when he approached you."

Odesse raised her eyebrows. "How can you be so sure, Cara?"

Cara replied, "He was very flustered and tipsy, Your Highness. This needs to be reported to His Highness to avoid future calamities." Odesse looked down, and Cara’s voice softened with concern. "Imagine if I hadn’t been there. You can imagine what he might have done."

Odesse said firmly, "There is no need to inform His Highness. This is just a one-time thing. I am very sure it won’t happen again."

Cara rolled her eyes. "A one-time thing? Your Highness, I will not leave your side, especially around him. He is a madman."

Odesse shook her head slowly as Cara continued, "If he was able to do that today, he will definitely do it again—and worse next time. I don’t know why you don’t want to tell His Highness and avoid any future disasters."

Odesse’s face fell as she said, "I don’t want him to worry. I assure you, Cara, it won’t happen again."

Cara sighed. "You need to remember you are a queen. You have the authority to send Eryx out of this palace for what he just did. You must know when to be soft-hearted and when to make decisive decisions, Your Highness. No matter who they might be, don’t let your emotions interfere with your decision-making, or your subjects might perceive you as weak and naive."

Odesse bowed her head and replied, "I am trying, Cara, I really am. But who knows what His Highness would do to Eryx if he found out?"

Cara responded, "And who knows what Eryx would have done if I hadn’t reached you in time."

Odesse looked at her, and Cara bent down to take Odesse’s hands. "You need to trust His Highness more, Odesse. He is not only a king but also your husband. Soon..." she glanced at Odesse’s belly and smiled, "he will be a father." She locked eyes with Odesse and continued, "His natural instinct will be to protect his family above all else."

Tears began to roll down Odesse’s cheeks, which she wiped away slowly. "You are right, Cara."

Cara smiled warmly as Odesse continued, "But he doesn’t have to know about today’s incident. If it happens again, I will surely tell him."

Cara sighed in defeat and stood up. "Alright, Your Highness."

Odesse smiled warmly. "Thank you, Cara."

Cara glanced at Odesse’s wrist. "It is still a bit red because of your pale skin; it shows more, so maybe give it some time. Hopefully, it will go down before His Highness returns." Odesse nodded. "Alright, I shall rest. I am really exhausted."

Cara smiled. "Yes, you should. I shall leave you now. Summon me if you need anything." Odesse nodded as she shifted on the bed. Cara walked towards the door, opened it, turned back to Odesse, and said, "Your Highness."

Odesse turned to her and replied, "Yes?"

Cara smiled. "Do not overthink whatever Eryx said. His Highness truly loves you."

Odesse smiled warmly. "I will not."

Cara closed the door slowly as Odesse lay down, pulling the blanket over her body. Her eyes remained open for a while before they finally closed shut slowly.

...

A few hours later, Odesse was still sound asleep when the doors opened slowly. Valex walked in, closing the door gently behind him. His face softened as he saw his wife sleeping soundly. He approached her and noticed her hand dangling out of the blanket at the edge of the bed.

Smiling, he bent slightly to touch her hand and tried to tuck it back into the blanket. As he paused halfway, his eyes widened in surprise when he noticed her wrist. His jaw tightened as he delivered the words in a flat, brutal undertone. "Who did this?"