Before Anisha knew it, time flew by in the blink of an eye, a week had already passed, Nhel seemed to ignore her, at least that's what she felt.
He just tries to be there for meals and then just stays away.
Anisha began to be suspicious, what sort of man was he, it's either he had huge self control for a man or he lied about not having mistresses.
He shouldn't treat his new wife this way, what had she done wrong. Her life in this Place was so structured, it went through the same routine, right now she was just casually taking a walk through the halls then after that dinner, then after that staring at the moonlight either at the balcony or by the window, maybe with one or two books by the hand then hit the bed not without wondering if he would return that night.
Sometimes these past days, she would wake up and find him next to her, sometimes she wouldn't find him next to her and then sometimes, even if he later came in by morning he was gone.
She stared at the huge and wide gates that was ahead of her, could she go out?
It seemed like it was inviting her to pass through it's doors.
The hall was silent, small chatter came from a turn.
"If the 2nd Prince would be the crown Prince, don't you think we are all doomed?" a voice said, sounding like that of a female.
The person who was being spoken to giggled dreamily
"Only when you get on his wrong side, as for me I love it for Prince Nhel to be the king," then she lowered her voice, "there's a huge chance I could move from being just his mistress to his wife, don't you feel so?"
"I can't believe you, how have you forgotten what he did to lorreta." the first lady said
"We don't know for sure if she's truly innocent but it was quite unfortunate for her," the other maidservant said.
"Did you think she was truly a spy like His Highness said?" the previous asked.
"I don't know, I'm not close to her so I can't be sure, but if you ask me, the life of the wealthy is covered with profound secrets, maybe she discovered something she shouldn't have and was then silenced through a claim that she was a spy, even though I wasn't close to her, she seemed like a mild girl,"the second maidservant spat out.
"Well I would advise you to stay away from His Highness, because you work in his quarters does not mean you should be starry eyed."
"You know what, I think Prince Nhel needs me, you know, he has been in a bad mood lately haven't you noticed? He needs to be cheered up." The maidservant who had eyes for Nhel continued, "That Princess sure knows how to test his patience."
"Cordelia be careful of how you speak about the Lady," the first girl warned.
Anisha continued to listen, ears perked up as they continued rambling on. Her handsmaiden had wanted to walk in on them but she stopped her.
The one who went by the name Cordelia responded, "His Highness is such a gentleman, he hasn't even touched her."
The other who had warned earlier gasped at her words,"Cordellia this mouth of yours will get you into trouble, don't say anything else and keep dusting the paintings, what if someone hears you."
"Prince Nhel is not around, the Princess is probably with Prince Edmond. This makes me feel His Highness is very tolerant to some certain behaviors."
Gripping her knuckles hard, wanting to barge in and give the girl a dirty slap, how dare she utter such words about her.
Was this all they did, gossiping around while working? but thinking about it, Anisha admitted they were in a way right, so Anisha prepared herself that night. This time around, she didn't want to hope he would come, she wanted to make sure he came.
She found the butler and told him to help her give Nhel the message that he had promised they would go star gazing that night and should not fail to fulfil it.
Knowing she couldn't initiate what was going to happen on her own, Anisha ordered for a bottle of red wine. Madlyn was surprised by her request but still got it for her.
Anisha dropped down the fifth cup, she was really bad when it came to holding her liquor so one could say she was quite drunk already.
Her gaze lowered as her head dropped lightly on the table.
Nhel came in and scanned across the room, she had already slept off in a bad position. He was informed of what Anisha had told the butler which made him confused. He couldn't recall telling her they would star gaze or did she just want him here?
This was his way of giving her space, he didn't know how marriage worked so he thought it was the best thing to do.
His eyebrows went up as he approached her slacked off, he picked up the bottle accessing it's quantity. She had gone over half, it looks like this wife of his was a taker.
Anisha's eyes flung open as soon as Nhel touched her.
Nhel's hand freezed, her eyes were red, face flushed but gaze surprisingly steady.
"You came back," saying softly, her smile cute.
"Why did you drink?" Nhel asked first.
Sluggishly standing up to face him showed Nhel that she had taken an amount of liquor.
"So I can deal with you tonight." Anisha winked at him playfully.
Nhel didn't understand what she meant. He suddenly heard her say, "unzip my dress, would you?"
Taken aback by those words Nhel nevertheless helped her starting with the corset and loosened the ropes.
"The servants should have helped you change into a more loose dress. Let me call them," he said.
"No need, i could direct you on how to do it it's easy."
Trailing his eyes over to her white inner ware, Nhel subconsciously gulped, to be honest he was starving, why did it look like she was inviting him for a feast when he knew for certain she wasn't ready.
But hold on, does it even mean he had to wait till she was ready before they did what they should have done a long time ago. He did not have such patience himself.
Nhel decided to call on the servants so she could be taken care of, he lifted her and then placed her on the bed.
When he was about to leave her side she held on to his arms taking him by surprise.
"Did I actually do anything wrong? you're leaving again. Please I need to know, do I irritate you that much?"
Nhel was indefinitely taken aback by her words, her eyes were sunken and tears had gathered up. His heart skipped a beat at the sight.
His arms were gripped tightly by her but he didn't feel the pain as much. He was clueless on why she was asking these questions so he found it hard to reply.
"What are you doing?" Nhel's eyes widened, Anisa had begun struggling to take off her garment, tears pouring down her face.
"You don't have to go to her anymore." Anisha responded.
"Who?"
"Your beloved Cordelia," Anisha kept on trying to take off her garment when Nhel gripped her not too hard.
"You are not yourself, when you're sober I'll eat you up with pleasure."
Shutting his eyes hard, he hissed, her lips looked full and red that it crazily attracted him to have a taste.
Remembering Anisha mentioned the name Cordelia he inquired, "who is Cordelia?"
Awakening out of drowsiness immediately she heard him say Cordelia Anisha asked, "You know her right?"
"No idea." Nhel replied and thought it was best to stop any conversation with her due to her state.
Anisha finally dropped onto him, just below his chest and muttered words that muffled. Lifting her up, Nhel tucked her in bed and joined her also.
Listening to her calm breath, he let out a chuckle. Had she been conscious, she would have laid like a bag of ice, even forgetting to breathe, he didn't know what was so scary about him.
After thinking for some time, Nhel finally figured why she had said all those things. Maybe he had been a little harsh on her but he didn't mean to, to think he thought he was giving her the space she needed when in reality it was hurting her.
Anisha woke up later and seemed to have sobered up, Nhel had been lost in thought he didn't realize time had passed.
"Nhel?" She said with a strained voice.
Nhel turned to scan if she was sobered and when he saw that she was, he was taken aback by how she had called him.
If it was before and she realizes he was there with her she would go all stiff which gave him mixed feelings.