Meredith.
But I still could understand why he chose to punish a child instead of the adult who led her astray.
Wanda manipulated Xamira into doing something so evil, but Draven chose to settle the score with Xamira instead.
Sometimes, I do wonder how his brain works, and today was one of those days.
After breakfast, I stood up to leave the hall, but was stopped by Draven.
"Our lessons will continue tomorrow and will conclude at the upper week."
I pinched my brows. How was that even possible?
I had just started the swimming lessons, and in an entire week or more, we’ve only had two classes. Today is Sunday, and now, he’s saying we will finish up next week.
I didn’t see the possibility in that unless I was a supernatural. And I haven’t overcome my fear of water and depth.
That fall did do something traumatic to me.
"What if I don’t learn how to swim properly by then?"
Draven gave me an eye and forked a piece of beef into his mouth. He doesn’t answer the question.
Wanda scoffed. "At least take your lessons seriously and don’t be a burden to anyone. You should be able to stand up for yourself."
I rolled my eyes at her and walked away.
This woman forgets herself and her situation in a hurry. The second half of her statement was just made to cover up the flaws of the first one.
I took a walk after breakfast with Azul tailing behind me. I had eaten a lot and needed to walk it off; otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to stay at a place.
Ten minutes later, Azul and I returned to my bedroom only to learn from Kira that someone had come to check on me regarding my new bedroom.
I had completely forgotten about it.
"Do I really have to move today?" I whined as I sat down at the foot of my bed. I was stressed.
"We have to, my lady," Kira said to me. "The order came from the Alpha."
I exhaled deeply. I lay my back on the bed... and slept off.
A short, powerful nap later, the servant from before returned. With Azul and Kira behind me, she escorted us to the third floor where Draven was waiting.
"There are two free master bedrooms up here. Choose one."
The two bedrooms were the same in almost everything except the colour themes.
I picked the one adjacent to Draven’s instead of the one next to his, only for him to tell me the next moment that I couldn’t do that.
"You will take the room next to mine," he said to me before immediately s
weeping his gaze to the servants. "Prepare her room according to her taste."
Then, he walked away, leaving me with an open mouth.
I mean, if he was going to do the picking, why did he drag me up here and make me choose?
"What kind of man is your Alpha?" I questioned, my gaze still on Draven’s retreating back.
I didn’t even care if he heard me.
"My lady," the servant from earlier called my attention. I looked her way.
"The Alpha’s brother resides in this room here on the third floor." She pointed to Dennis’ door, making me realize why he had refused me. "So, the Alpha won’t let you take the room next to it."
Draven had a problem if you ask me. What was difficult in explaining the situation and directly giving me the room next to his?
I guess I would forever not know what goes on in his mind.
I stepped into my ned bedroom and looked around it. It was dust-free, and slightly to my taste. It had a balcony.
The servant pointed out that my flowers could go there.
Only a few of my flowers could go there, but where was the earthy ground I could step onto?
No matter the complaints I had in my head, I couldn’t change the fact that I had a new bedroom.
But just to try my luck, I decided to frustrate Draven’s plans a bit by pointing out a lot of things in the room that I needed to be thrown out and replaced.
"We will start the renovations, my lady," the servant said after I didn’t have anything else to add.
"I want a crystal chandelier. Don’t forget it," I reminded casually and saw Azul and Kira exchange brief glances.
My plans to frustrate Draven don’t have to be executed with one method. A second option, such as making purchases that would leave him with a hole in his pocket, was what I was after.
"I won’t, my lady," the servant bowed.
I glanced at the bedroom one more time, trying to see if there was something I could change and found nothing.
At least, I would be getting new living room and bedroom furniture along with a crystal chandelier.
When I returned to my bedroom, Azul and Kira kept staring at me. I had no choice but to query them, but not without settling on the sofa and drinking from the glass of water Deidra offered me.
"Speak. Did I do something wrong?"
Azul released a soft sigh. "My lady, you look like you do not want to be on the third floor with the Alpha."
"Of course, I don’t want to." I rolled my eyes. I don’t want to be this close to Draven.
What if we get into a fight? How was I going to freely avoid him like I used to when our bedrooms were miles apart?
At least, I could dodge him if I remained here. But on that third floor, I would keep bumping into him. And the only way to prevent that would be to stay locked in my bedroom.
But was it worth it? Of course, not!
"But my lady, it is actually a promotion for you to move to the third floor where your husband, the Alpha, lives. Even Ms. Fellowes has been seeking this opportunity and has yet to find it," Kira said with slightly furrowed brows.
I stared at her. "Well, Wanda and I have different goals and visions."
Wanda wanted an opportunity to be next to Draven and probably climb into his bed. But I didn’t.
We clearly had different thought processes.
And if I, for some reason, wanted Draven, I could just go to him and make my demands. Simple.
Azul stepped closer and knelt next to me. "My lady," she called softly, taking my right hand in her warm palms.
"What are you doing, Azul?" There was a sense of urgency in my tone. "Please stand up."
She shook her head lightly, her gaze staring deep into my eyes.
"I know you might hate to talk about this, but we always think the best for you."
I definitely didn’t know where this was going. But since she said I might not like the topic, then it might have everything to do with Draven.
"Go on," I gestured with my free hand.
I knew I couldn’t escape from whatever she had to say, so I just had to make it look like I had approved of the conversation.
The power has to stay with me.
"We understand you might not love the Alpha, given how your relationship started. But you’ve been with him now. It would be easier if you..."
The rest of the words Azul was saying faded out in my head as my thought picked out my only concern.
It took only a little while to understand what Azul meant by I had been with Draven.
Wait a minute!
"H—how did you find... know about Draven and I?" My eyes grew wide.
I didn’t need to specify. She understood me clearly.
Azul exchanged subtle glances with Kira before shifting her gaze back to mine.
"We know. I smelled the Alpha on you the other day outside his study. Then two days ago, we all did the same. And there were some marks on your body."
Azul lowered her head.
I palmed my face and turned away. Very good for me.
I tried to hide something, and it didn’t work. Despite the fragrance from the shampoo and conditioner I had used on my hair those days, coupled with more than enough soap lathering on my body, my maidservants still managed to catch Draven’s scent on me.
I think it was from the too much sex.
We had done it round after round, like there wouldn’t be a tomorrow. Alas! Tomorrow is here now. And I’ve been caught.
I was briefly mad at Azul. But after I recovered from the passing shame, I listened to the rest of the words she had for me.
In summary, she said it was time to make peace with the Alpha now, as he was my husband, and we’ve been together.
Then she said something about not fighting fate.
I almost laughed.
Then, Valmora had to choose this instant to wake up and berate me.
"You are stubborn. But you should learn how to channel it rightly instead of wasting your little energy."