Divorcing His Royal Highness (English-R18)

Chapter 8

TAYLOR

My much-needed breath of fresh air was abruptly halted by my unexpected encounter with Diane. It left me with no choice but to lock myself inside my room, a familiar refuge I had sought when I first arrived here. Facing Lady Diane again after our heated exchange was something I wasn't prepared for. My borrowed courage, the same courage that had enabled me to stand up to her, had its limits, and I didn't want to test them further.

The sun had set, casting a shroud of darkness outside, matching the uncertainty that had descended upon me. Vladimir had left this morning without providing me with any answers, particularly regarding the kiss we had shared earlier in the day. What was going through his mind when he initiated that kiss, knowing full well that his girlfriend would be arriving at the castle today?

Just as I was lost in this whirlwind of uncertainty, a soft knock echoed from the door, pulling me from my reverie. I opened it only to find Vladimir standing on the other side, his presence as captivating and handsome as ever.

"Dinner is ready," he announced, his tone frigid, lacking the warmth I had secretly hoped for. It was only then that I registered the darkness outside, and the world beyond our windows had already been swallowed by the night. Upon closer observation, I noticed that Vladimir had changed from the formal attire he had worn earlier in the day.

Curiosity got the best of me, and I couldn't help but inquire about his arrival time. "What time did you arrive?" I asked, my curiosity piqued, as I hadn't heard any indication of his return. The other room, presumably his, had remained eerily silent until the moment he knocked on my door.

Vladimir deliberately avoided making eye contact, and a sense of secrecy hung in the air. It took a moment for the puzzle pieces to fall into place. His damp hair and the lingering scent of aftershave suggested that he had recently taken a shower. My intuition kicked in, pointing out that he hadn't used the bathroom in our shared suite, and I hadn't heard any of the customary sounds associated with a shower. It took me a few seconds to come to a disconcerting realization: Vladimir had likely spent his time in one of the castle's other suites, most probably with Diane.

"I-I'm sorry for intruding," I stammered, feeling my cheeks flush with embarrassment. "I understand it's none of my business. If you'll excuse me, I need to change for dinner. I'll join you at the table."

Without waiting for his response, I hastily closed the door behind me, a swirl of emotions engulfing me as I retreated into the familiar cocoon of my room. The silence pressed in on me, a stark contrast to the whirlwind of thoughts and feelings raging inside me.

The knowledge that Vladimir had likely been with Diane during his absence gnawed at me. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being kept in the dark about something significant, something that had been carefully hidden from me. It was as if the castle itself held secrets, secrets that were now intertwined with the lives of Vladimir and Diane.

I quickly changed into a more appropriate attire for dinner, opting for a simple yet elegant dress. As I glanced at myself in the mirror, I couldn't help but wonder about the tangled web of emotions that had begun to envelop me. The castle's opulence and grandeur seemed to mirror the complexities of the relationships within its walls.

As I entered the dining room, a mixture of emotions swirled within me. Vladimir occupied his usual seat at the head of the table, an air of regality about him that was impossible to ignore. His expression, however, was a mask of inscrutability. It was as if he had become a master of concealing his true emotions, leaving me to wonder what thoughts lurked beneath that composed facade.

Diane, on the other hand, was seated on Vladimir's left, a position traditionally reserved for the queen. The sight of her in that place, where I had once sat, was a stark reminder of the shifting dynamics within the castle. Her presence was a palpable one, a constant and unspoken assertion of her role in Vladimir's life.

I couldn't deny that seeing her there, in the very spot that had once been mine, stirred a complex mix of emotions within me. But then again, I reminded myself that that place was never mine to begin with. I was merely borrowing it until its rightful owner claimed it.

"At long last, we have the pleasure of Lady Taylor's company," Lady Diane declared with a noticeable roll of her eyes, leaving no room for doubt about her exasperation at my presence.

"Diane!" Vladimir's voice resonated through every corner of the dining area, catching us all off guard with its sudden intensity. The surprise was evident on our faces as we turned our attention to him.

Vladimir's voice held a distinct chill as he spoke, making it clear that he was not to be trifled with. "Remember, she's still my queen, and I anticipate a certain level of courtesy from you," he asserted firmly. "You will address her by her title. Is that absolutely clear?" His words left no room for misinterpretation.

"Y-Yes, Y-Your Highness," Lady Diane stuttered.

"Have a seat, Lady Taylor," he ordered.

As I settled into my seat, a disconcerting sense of displacement washed over me. It was a feeling that had haunted me since the beginning of this journey. The question of where I truly belonged remained elusive, and I couldn't shake the persistent notion that I was an outsider in this world.

Even after Vladimir's stern insistence to Diane about acknowledging my title, the sensation of not belonging persisted. It was as if my very presence in this grand dining hall was a disruption, a ripple in the carefully woven fabric of the royal court. Despite the formalities and the titles, I still felt like an interloper, an intruder in a world where I had no place.

The meal began in silence, each of us seemingly lost in our own thoughts. The tension in the room was palpable, a heavy weight that hung over us like a cloud. I stole a glance at Vladimir, hoping to glean some insight into his feelings, but his expression remained an enigma.

Diane, too, seemed distant, her attention focused on her plate as if lost in a world of her own. The unspoken divide between us had never been more evident, a silent acknowledgement of the complexities of our intertwined lives.

The weight of unanswered questions bore down on me, threatening to consume my thoughts. But I knew that answers would not come easily and that navigating this new reality would require a strength and resilience I had yet to fully grasp.

As the evening wore on, the tension in the room became increasingly suffocating. I found myself stealing glances at Vladimir, trying to decipher the emotions flickering across his face. But he remained enigmatic, his thoughts a closely guarded secret.

Diane's presence at the table only added to the unease. She seemed equally distant, her gaze fixed on her plate as if lost in her own world of contemplation. The unspoken rift between us loomed large, and I couldn't help but wonder whether this was the beginning of a battle that none of us were willing to acknowledge.

As the meal came to an end, Vladimir finally broke the silence, his voice low and measured. "I trust you both had a comfortable day," he said, his gaze flickering between Diane and me.

I nodded silently, unwilling to reveal the internal turmoil that had been brewing within me. Diane offered a curt nod in response, her eyes avoiding mine.

"Lady Diane will be residing here for a few weeks. An unforeseen circumstance has arisen regarding her residence, necessitating her stay," Vladimir provided, seemingly attuned to my unvoiced queries.

Diane chimed in, her tone assertive and her words a clear declaration of her presence. "I hope my presence isn't causing any inconvenience. Vladimir...I mean His Highness, with the kindness of his heart, has generously offered me accommodation," she asserted, pointedly addressing Vladimir by his name rather than his title, a subtle but deliberate assertion of her claim.

As I sat there, I'm not really sure how to react. I have no say in this house, so why would they act as if they are trying to get my permission?

I glanced at Diane, her presence a reminder of the intricate web of relationships and expectations that surrounded me. She had always been a dominant presence, and now, she was practically asserting her position as Vladimir's rightful pair.

"I'm certain His Highness has considered his choices carefully, Lady Diane. After all, this castle is quite expansive. I'm sure you'll discover suitable accommodations, preferably somewhere far away from our bed suite," I responded, a teasing smile playing on my lips.

I wasn't entirely sure why I had made such a remark. It wasn't my intention to assert any claim over Vladimir, even though, perplexingly, I was still technically his wife. This whole marriage has been a puzzle to me. It could have been easily cleared out only if Vladimir had found the time to answer all of my questions.

It didn't slip my eye how the corner of Vladimir's lips twitched as if he was trying to hold his smile. His lifted his eyebrow while looking at me with a wicked smile on his face as if I did something that he was proud of.

I thought he was going to get mad for what I did to his girlfriend, but he didn't. I'm not really sure what's happening here. Why is he acting so weird?

As the meal came to an end, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease wash over me. The unanswered questions and the unspoken tension seemed to be closing in, suffocating me with their weight.

Retreating to my room, I found myself once again seeking refuge within its walls. The events of the day had left me emotionally drained, and I needed a moment of solitude to collect my thoughts.

Sitting by the window, I gazed out into the night, the darkness outside mirroring the uncertainty that had taken root within me. The castle, with all its grandeur and opulence, had become a labyrinth of secrets and unanswered questions.

Tonight, I was more determined to figure things out. I made up my mind to wait for Vladimir in his room. I needed to talk to him to get answers to all the questions swirling in my head. So, I sat on his bed, waiting and thinking about what I would ask him.

But the night went on, and Vladimir didn't show up. Hours ticked away, and there was still no sign of him. I was so caught up in making my list of questions that I didn't even notice when sleep quietly crept in and carried me away into Dreamland.

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