Marriage Alliance With The Lycan Monarch

I said that out loud, didn't I? I mentally smacked a hand on my face. Real smooth, Eloise, you just couldn't stay out of it!

"Your Grace!" Garrick turned to me the moment I made such a blunder.

Ugh! Now I feel worse, I was trying not to get him in trouble. Again, why should I care?

"As a daughter-in-law, I must meet my in-laws."

Sadly, it was part of the lessons I engaged in. Part of my duties.

"You—"

"It's my duty," I interjected, but Garrick remained very displeased.

One of the handmaids looked at me as if she were detailing trash, and I raised an eyebrow in response.

Ah, deja vu.

"We'll wait until you change into something appropriate." She snapped her fingers as another set of handmaids walked in with several gowns and jewelry. "Allow us the decency of picking your outfits, as what you came with will be unworthy in the sight of the Dowager."

She turned on her heels and left with the others.

That went well, I think.

"Do you realize what you have done?!" Garrick and Talia snapped in unison, and discovering they did, they shared a look.

Ah, the world is ending if Talia agrees with a Lycan.

"The reign is under the Dowager, is it not?"

"Yes?" Garrick replied. "But only until the monarch takes back charge, which is on the way."

"I do not know how things are done, but I have a feeling defying the Dowager's orders can get you in trouble."

Garrick narrowed his eyes at my words, mostly in puzzlement.

"My lady, the monarch mentioned you should not leave the wing no matter what."

I knew that too, but I wasn't exactly in a position to do so, was I?

"I would've taken the risk, no matter the consequence, as long as you do not leave this wing."

"Relax, Sir Garrick, it's only a mother-in-law." I shrugged.

"You don't understand," he gritted out. "The monarch might be considerate of you, but don't think the others of my kind will."

I frowned. "I'm quite aware of that, what was I supposed to do then? Say no to the Dowager?"

I very much like my head, thank you!

"Stay. But we can't do that because you acted without thinking. Do you've any idea what you're about to face? The Dowager is not a mother-in-law like you humans presumed to be, that you've to please to win her favor."

Aren't they all? I haven't been married before, so I can't say anything on that matter. But is there a difference?

"She will eat you alive, that is, if you don't drop dead beneath her gaze first."

A shiver shot through my spine, and dread I couldn't hide screamed on my face. I just swallowed it down by forcing a smile on the surface.

"I can do well if I have you by my side," I amused trying to make the situation lighter when it was anything but.

"I shall protect you as my monarch ordered."

"Good, because I'm counting on that," I said, turning away, shaken to the core, but I tried to hold it in and not fall apart.

Not yet, I need to be stronger more than ever now, for my survival.

~•~

The gowns the handmaids brought in came in different sizes. I would have labeled them thoughtful, but they were anything but that sort.

Regardless, I did not consider their actions insulting because they spared me the humiliation of searching through the boxes of hand-me-downs for suitable attire to wear and meet the Dowager.

"Your eyes have gone pale. You need to recuperate your body before this gets worse," Talia said with a frown twisting her face.

Her face had taken that shape in the past hour; she was never the smiling type and always showed me how discontented she was with serving me, but this looked different; she was bothered.

"How about your brew?" I asked.

"There is nothing more my brew can do. It has done its work."

Then I have to hold on for as long as I can.

"I'll be fine."

Talia glared at me through the mirror, clearly showing she believed nothing of my words.

I rose to my feet, my body heavier than ever, but I made sure I maintained the perfect stance, peering at the mirror to make sure nothing was out of place.

"Raise your shoulders as much as you want, use makeup to cover up the bags. But none of that will stop you from looking frail, on the verge of breaking apart like wood without hinges."

"Thank you for being honest," I bit back.

She rolled her eyes. "I'm not just being that, I'm warning you of the danger."

"Forgive me, Talia. If I die, I do not know what fate has in store for you."

"Then do me a favor and don't die." She stepped forward to adjust the sleeve of my gown, draping down to meet the rim. "Of all the ladies I'm meant to serve in this life, it had to be you."

"Disappointed? I'm sorry I didn't meet your standards."

She shot me a look.

"I can't promise," I conceded to her earlier favor.

Talia paused but said nothing as she continued her work.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in," I rushed out.

It opened, and Garrick stepped in. "They are waiting."

"Let's go."

"I'm afraid your handmaid cannot come."

"What? She's meant to follow me where I go."

"The Dowager specifically wants to see you...that alone is tolerable, but another human is asking for far more harm."

I swallowed hard and turned to Talia. "Will you be alright?"

"You sound as if you're worried about me."

I huffed. "No, I'm not. Just stay here and don't do anything that will put you at risk."

"I could have said the same for you."

It's nice to know that Talia's rudeness was very much an easing thing since the moment I arrived at this castle.

I gave a faint smile that she didn't return, then followed Garrick.