ARIA.
"That's not possible," I laughed, blinking twice as she said those words again. "I do not believe you."
"Why don't you?" She asked, cocking her head to the side. "You don't think I am fit enough to serve you?"

My frown deepened. "You know that isn't true at all. I am just surprised that he got you to be my personal maid. I didn't think he was going to get me one. Wait, do you think I am looking down at you"
She shrugged, walking in as I pulled the door wide enough for her to walk in. I watched her go in, smiling softly before she turned to look at me. "I don't know. I mean, you're the king's mistress, right?"
My cheeks reddened in embarrassment and I stopped myself from saying anything, sighing when she turned to face me with a stern look on her face. I didn't even know what to say in reply to the question she just asked me. Was telling her that I was mated to the King and only in this position because he was married to Sheila and just couldn't have her thrown out like that a good idea?
"Yes, I am," I replied finally, hating the feeling that built up in my chest. Daneesha was the closest thing to a friend I'd ever made but I didn't think I trusted her enough to tell her the truth. At least, not yet. Even if I wanted her to really know my situation, I refrained from saying anything else, hating that she saw me as nothing else but a mistress that I hated.
I guess she must have felt that I had finally agreed to it, wished I could say anything further but I couldn't, other than to remain silent and wait for the day I finally told her everything, "Welcome anyway Will you be sharing the same room as me?"
She shook her head. "Although I have been switched from our old room to a better room in this hallway, I won't be in the same room with you," She took a good look around the room, nodding her head in approval. "I have to admit that this is a really beautiful room, Aria. The best, I guess."

I smiled at her, feeling slightly awkward as she kept walking around and checking things out. "You're right."
She walked towards the balcony, pulling the drapes open as she checked the balcony out. She gasped, rushing back to the room. "Your room is directly beside the King's chambers!"
"How do you know that?"
She snatched my hand, pulling me towards the balcony. Then she looked in the right direction, pointing at the large bay window. It was twice as large as mine and I didn't need anyone telling me this was his room because I recognised it immediately. "There."

"Wow," I muttered in surprise. "I had no idea."
She turned to me with a bright grin on her face like she had something to tell me. "Let me be honest with you right now, Aria. As much as this doesn't feel right, I am so jealous of you. Really jealous. I mean, you're really beautiful but I didn't think for once that the King would want you as his mistress. How did you pull it off? I know you both are mated together but seeing how things were going, I believed he was still going to remain married to the Queen."
“It's a shameful thing to talk about, Daneesha. We're mated to each other and yet, he speaks about me to others like we aren't mated. I thought he was going to tell them the truth but all he's doing is warp lies.”

She sighed wistfully and pulled me against her. “I can not relate to this but I can imagine how this feels for you. I don't think I would be able to stand it.”
“I couldn't. I know he has his reasons but I feel like he doesn't really care for the bond. He loves the Queen?”

“They've been married for five years so I think that is expected. So what are you going to do? Play along with the lies?”

I nodded. "Yes, I am. I don't think I have an option. If I want to be close enough to him, I have to follow the lie or they would find a way to take me away. I think he's doing it to protect me.”
Daneesha nodded. “I understand. And I promise I'll be here with you all the way.”
I pulled her in for a hug and smiled. “Thank you, friend.”
Then she pulled away. “You should make him suffer for what he did. I mean it's not his fault but you should.”
Nodding, I burst into a chuckle. "I tried protesting because but he seemed bent on his words. There was nothing I could do so I just agreed. But I'll take your advice to heart."
"Wishing I was in your position, Aria." Daneesha pushed to her feet, walking over to me before she placed her hand on mine. "You're so lucky. I mean, it doesn't please everyone. The maids have been gossiping and saying all sorts of terrible things about you. They have called you a whore and a husband snatcher but I know you too well to have done that. Don't blame yourself for anything that happens, okay?"
Sighing, I nodded at her, thankful that she didn't have any doubts. At least, she wasn't judging me like the others. I was relieved that at least, she was with me in this and was in support of me and whatever I did.
A knock sounded on the door and she flew to her feet, rushing towards the door while I waited, hoping it wasn't someone I didn't want to see.
But then, she opened the door and there he was, standing in his tall and broad glory, his hair combed to the back. He had a robe on and underneath his robe was a black shirt with a few buttons popped open. I didn't miss the look in Daneesha's eyes. Of course, Lyall was the most attractive male and his kingship made him far above every other man around here. My jealousy grew but I held back from lashing out at Daneesha.
I hated feeling this way this helpless feeling that engulfed me each time I tried to do something in order to defend myself or push anyone coming close to my Lyall.
Like he knew what I was thinking about, his eyes fleeted over to me and he smiled softly before looking down at Daneesha. "Get her dressed."
"Why?" I asked, drawing close to him. "Is there something you want me dressed up for?"
"Yes." He replied before facing Daneesha. "Ten minutes. Do not waste my time."
Nodding, Daneesha turned to me with a stiff smile on her face.

I spent the next five minutes waiting for her to produce a dress and soon enough, my body was adorned in a royal blue dress with silver glitters. I had a simple jewelry on before I slipped my feet into a pair of blue flats matching my dress.
I was led down the corridor and I tried not to let my anxiety take hold of me as we traveled down the corridor.
He was waiting by his horse and as soon as he saw me, he nodded at Daneesha and dismissed her with just his look so that it was just us both.
"Where are we going?" I asked once again, looking around to see just one guard standing by the entrance.
"For a ride in the woods," He replied and drew close enough. He leaned in so close that I thought he was going to kiss me but he didn't. Instead, he inhaled my scent, closing his eyes before he pulled away and looked down at me with a smile on his face. "You smell perfect, Aria."
"Thank you. But I am more curious about this so-called ride. Does your wife not have an issue with us doing that? I mean, you should be in bed with her, frolicking around and making sweet love. You shouldn't be taking a ride out in the dark."
Closing his eyes, he facepalmed before giving me a stern look. "Do you always have to spoil the moment?"
"There's no moment to spoil. Everything has been ruined from the onset." I turned around in search of another horse but I could find just one. Turning to him, I raised my brow in confusion. "Uhm, why is there just one horse? Where's mine or are you sending me away?"
His lips clamped into a thin line and I stood to the side, watching him harness his horse. When he turned to me, he pulled me towards him, lifting me by the waist onto the horse. I was about to protest when he joined me too, mounting the horse.
His breath fanned my neck as he leaned forward to grab his horse's harness. He hit the side of his horse and it broke into a trot, Lyall's arms tightening around my sides to keep me in place.
"You still haven't told me where we are headed, Lyall," I said again just as we rode out of the Palace gates.
"It's a secret."
"Finally. I didn't think you were going to spare me anyway." I replied, feeling my heart thump against my chest as the wind blew into my air. As much as I thought he was going to kill me, I felt really safe in his arms. Infact, safe was an understatement. I knew he was going to protect me no matter what.
He burst into laughter, shaking his head as we rode off into the night.