“Why would I die?” I grunted, even though I had a slight idea of what she meant. When Grimwald signaled for us to start, I sighed and groaned as I followed his instructions.
“You are devoured and eaten alive right in front of my very eyes,” Dahlia explained, as both of our heads were upside down towards the ground. “I could feel it all the way over here. It’s so hilariously entertaining.”
“I know you’re exaggerating. Okay, sosomepeople watch me. That doesn’t mean they want todevourme. I think they’re just curious.” Maybe I gave off an otherworldly aura they could sense. Or maybe my mannerisms were very unusual in this universe. Either way, I emanatedstrangeness.
I finished the stretch and stood up straight, huffing, “I am very much alive.”
Dahlia only shook her head with a roll of her eyes and a smirk before doing a nudging gesture, beckoning me to look.
So I looked.
The most noticeable one was Amos, pacing at the border of their assigned field, as if he were a predator waiting for an opportunity to strike. Or, more likely, he was controlling himself from leaving his class. Both options were terrible.
Vincent had almost destroyed the bushes from where he stood, for however reason he did. At least my knights behaved as they sat on the benches, since I did tell them they could only watch, but they were trembling so much the seats appeared to be shaking.
The Crown Prince had vanished from his seat. Instead, he now stood next to my three professors, and all four of them kept a serious look on their faces as they observed the class.
Observedme,or maybe that was the paranoia talking.
Elias and Claude had mysteriously appeared next to us. Where did the guys standing next to me go? I was sure our other classmates were just here.
“Starting today, you’re always with me during our Physical class,” Elias requested, grabbing a hold of my hand. I could feel his anger rolling off of him in waves.
Claude raised both of his arms in the air. “See? This is why I claimed you. So this kind of bullshit never happens!”
“What bullshit?” I turned to Dahlia for an explanation, but she only shrugged her shoulders. I turned to Elias and Claude next, but they were preoccupied with the class. My panic rose at the complete lack of information. Coupled with the weirdness of the situation, I was utterly lost.
In the next second, like a child throwing a tantrum, Claude stomped his feet and exploded. “Bea Havenglow belongs tome!” Pointing at me, he yelled, “I would think twice before touching what’s mine or I swear to the heavens I wouldnothesitate.”
If there was a moment in my life I could point out where I experienced total, absolute silence, this was it. The tension in the air was so thick you could cut it with a sword. My heartbeat hammered too loud in my head.
Everyone stood still. No one dared move or make a sound, not even the professors nor the Prince. This man, Claude Wescott, was almost a demigod, his destiny already prophesied by the Priestesses of the Oracle. Who would be stupid enough to challenge him?
Despite that, no one bothered to explain what happened. The anxiety of not having any context was overtaking me, and a public declaration by a man who barely knew me had sent me spiraling.
What would someone do when the Hero of the Kingdom claimed you for himself without your consent?
Decry him, of course. And just as loud and ridiculous as he had said it.
“What the hell? I’m not some fucking trophy!” I wrenched away from Elias as I mirrored Claude, pointing at his face, bloodroaring in my ears. “I belong tome. You don’t get to decide that even if you’re the Hero! I decide for me!”
The weight of my words came to me a second too late.
I publicly defied and humiliated the Hero in front of a hundred people. It was only a matter of time before the news spread throughout the Kingdom, and with it my eventual execution, as an example for not only disrespecting the Kingdom, but also the Oracles themselves. What if they also execute my entire household to emphasize the severity of my crime?
Dahlia was right — I was already dead.
Dropping my arms when the silence continued after my outburst, I scoured through my brain for how I could get away from this. If only I already knew how to teleport, then maybe I could save my parents and Alec. My knights would take care of Mia and her family. I would forever be remorseful for the rest of our household but hoped they could escape on their own when the time came.
Swallowing thickly, my whole body flushed with heat.
I seriously fucked up. Fuck.
Fuck.
Fuck.
But then, Claude dropped to his knees, gaze tilted up. “I’m sorry, baby girl! That came out wrong. I’d never think of you as my property. I’ll use my words better!” He spoke even louder, shouting, “I meant to say Bea Havenglow is my girl! My woman! My —”
