Ileus: The Dark Prince

Olivia wanted to glance at her husband, the man who was supposed to be a terror in the Silver Vales, who was second in command to the king and who everyone feared in her pack. She had heard the tales of his cruelty across the lands. She had heard about his fierce loyalty to King Dmitri and Prince Ileus and she had heard that he dedicated his life to Princess Anastasia. Then what was left of him? She tried to wrench her hand free from him. His hold loosened and her hand became free without struggle. 

The priest turned towards them. He asked for them to extend their palms. She gave hers to him and then the General gave his palm to the priest. The priest sliced their palms and in a hurried-up ceremony, he placed their palms together. The blood trickled down and then fell on the floor. The priest chanted something in ancient language and announced them as husband and wife. The moment he announced it, Olivia could hear gasps of relief. She didn't even know her husband's name. Before she could speak with him, her maid Giles rushed to her and pulled her away from the crowd. She looked behind her towards the man who she had married and he was staring at her. 

When she reached inside, she found her cousin, Bernice, standing in the main hall. Bernice was two years older than Olivia and was supposed to be married before her. She was waiting to find the right partner. When she heard that Olivia was getting married to the second in command of Silver Vales, she had done everything in her power to stop the marriage. She had asked her mother, Kaia's sister, to stop the marriage and turn it in her favor. However, her mother couldn't open her mouth, scared of the councilmen. Bernice didn't know how things worked. She only demanded them. And just because she was close to those in power, she assumed that she was also entitled to it. "You will make a passable bride, Olivia and you will have to adequately fulfill your duty to the kingdom and our family too," said Bernice as she cast a critical eye on her appearance. She ambled towards her and then leaned close enough for only her to hear her words. "Don't you forget that your duty to your husband only extends to his bedchamber. Even if he doesn't like you, I am sure you won't put this alliance into any sort of trouble by denying him." Bernice was hell bent on belittling her cousin. "I will come to visit you in a month's time. We will be assessing your new relationship. If we see that you have failed—" 

Olivia gave her a pointed look as her jaw clenched so hard that her head throbbed. She hated the way Bernice sounded. She had been telling this to her again and again ever since her marriage was decided. And it had become so repetitive that Olivia had memorized it. 

"If we see that you have failed, then you will be replaced. Your marriage to the General would be annulled."

There was a soft pound on the door of the main hall. "Enter," Bernice called out, as if she was now in charge of this mansion. 

The door opened slightly and a servant entered. He looked at Bernice and his expressions pinched as if he had eaten a sour lemon. Then he looked at Olivia and said, "M'lady, The General wants to speak with you." He paused. "Alone." 

Olivia was feeling annoyed by Bernice, but now her annoyance was replaced by worries. She gripped the side of her gown as she trembled once again. She didn't know what to say, and then she heard Bernice replying for her, "I think she will not meet him. This kind of meeting alone is not appropriate and definitely not proper conduct. He can speak with her once they are on their way back. And so he can wait." 

Though Olivia didn't like the way she spoke, her worries reduced… for now. Bernice walked away from her and said, "I know that you hate that man. After all, he killed your brother. Seeing your history with him, if you feel that you can't stay with him, you don't have to wait. You can always come back from Silver Vales. You can send a message to me and I will come personally to take you with me. So if you feel that you won't be able to join with him, and you want to save yourself from embarrassment, I would advise you to come back within two weeks' time." She paused and then tipped her head towards the ceiling. She sighed and then added, "And my mother has already forced me to exchange your place. I don't know why am I the sacrificial lamb in this tussle, but I have small request." She turned to look at Olivia who was staring at her with wide eyes. "If you don't like him, then don't bed him. At least I will feel good that he is not used by you." 

"Is there anything else?" said Olivia, bristling with irritation at her cousin. The girl sounded like Olivia was already a traitor to her pack and to her new husband's pack. 

"Ah, no!" she said. "In fact, you better leave fast. There is no celebration after the wedding." Saying that, Bernice sauntered to the door of the main hall and walked out. Olivia watched her going towards the Silver Vales pack people. 

"Don't mind her," said Giles. She held her hand. "We need to change fast. I heard that they are leaving in less than an hour." 

Giles rushed Olivia upstairs to her room where she helped her change quickly. When Olivia came downstairs in the garden, she saw that there was hardly anyone else in the garden. Only a few waited and amongst them were her mother. Her groom was standing at a distance in deep conversation with her father.. Their eyes met and their gazes locked.