15. Bets on Combat
1464 Words
Rosabelle's POV-
I turn my head towards the voice while Dargan's hold tightens around me.
"The tongue committed a sin," Roald says pushing away the man kneeling in front of him before moving to the other. I see the first man crying while moving his lips as blood drips down his mouth. He cries looking at his cut off tongue on the ground.
When I turn back to look at Roald, he has another man in his grip who is trembling in fear because of the knife pressed against his neck.
"What do we do Alpha?" Roald asks and I tighten my hold at Dargan.
"Why did he do that?" I ask turning to Dargan who takes my hand and pulls me with him.
"What did he say?" Dragan asks Roald while the man cries for his tongue.
"Something about the Queen. He said she can't be our Queen without a wolf. He denied accepting her and this man agreed with him." Roald growls at the man he is holding.
"Alpha..." He speaks pleading.
By now, all the people have already surrounded us. I look back at the kids and feel relieved seeing them with Tina and Ana. When I look back at Dargan, he pulls me in the centre and takes a round to face each man.
"Has anyone here ever witnessed my wolf?" He asks out loud and instantly gets the response.
"Never, Alpha!"
"Haven't I faced all our enemies in this form that we call mortal?" He asks out loud again.
"Yes, Alpha!" He gets an instant reply.
"I have defeated all my enemies in this very state, I have been ruling this Kingdom in this very state and when I, your King doesn't need a wolf to rule, nothing and no one demands it from the Queen." He says squeezing my palm.
"Yes, Alpha!" The people cheer.
"No one knows her strength but I have experienced it." He says looking at me.
"And I assure you, she is the best I could ever get you." He says and the whole crowd erupts in cheers.
My lips part as my breathing fastens and I tug at Dargan's hand. He pulls me close to himself and searches into my eyes, for my happiness?
"Let me earn their respect," I say making him frown.
"You already have it." He says.
"Not like this. Not when you threaten them or make them respect because you said so. Let me earn it. Let them see me, let them judge me and let them decide." I say holding his hands.
"If someone has any problem, you may come in front and disclose your discomfort," Dargan says loudly to the crowd and I sigh alone.
"Do you really think they will come in front and speak against you?" I ask him.
"What do you want?" He asks.
"A combat," I say with determination in my eyes.
He stares at me in silence for a few seconds before I hear his response.
"Alright. You get to choose the opponent." He says.
"Roald," I say and he only stares at me.
"My Queen-"
"I don't expect to win, Roald. But I believe it'll prove my worth." I say cutting him off while my eyes never leave Dargan's.
"You'll have a combat tomorrow." He says making me smile.
"Make the announcement, Roald," Dargan says and grabs my palm.
"I think you have witnessed enough things for today." He says to me and pulls me to the other areas. I get presents from different people and kids make rings of grasses to offer me. Their sweet gesture touches my heart and makes the trip all the sweeter.
"It's getting dark. You need to rest for the combat as well." Dargan says before we both make our way back home.
***
"What if I win?" I ask Dargan once we reach the great room in the castle.
"Then you win, and earn the respect as you so want." He says as we now stand in front of the staircase facing each other.
"I want a reward if I win," I say.
"And what would that be?"
"I'll tell you when the time is right."
"Alright." He says stepping ahead with me.
"I want to see your chamber," I say making him stop and look at me.
"You have your own." He says.
"I know. I want to see yours." I insist.
"I like to keep my privacy." He says and drags me up on the stairs.
"I am your wife."
"And you have your own chamber."
"You have seen mine. It's only fair I see yours."
"You do realize you are facing Roald tomorrow." He suddenly says making me frown and we stand there on the stairs.
"I do."
"Then just rest, or practice a little at least." He says before continuing moving.
"You aren't going to ask me to share my chamber with you as your reward, right?" He asks.
"Ha! You flatter yourself." I say and turn to him standing in front of my chamber.
"I hope you don't lose your way back to your room," I say.
"What if you lose? What do I get?" He asks as I turn to go inside.
"Whatever you say," I say before turning around and going inside.
"Rose! You are back!" Nina exclaims.
"Yes, I'm back! And I need to be ready for the combat!" I say plopping on the bed.
"What combat?" She asks coming near.
"Well, the people were questioning my abilities and now I'm going to go one on one with Roald," I say and concern overloads her face.
"Why would you do that?"
"I need to prove my worth, Nina. You can't stop me from that and haven't you seen me fight?"
"I have and I don't doubt you'll give him a tough one but... I haven't seen him fight as well."
"Exactly. He could be worse than me."
"What if you get hurt?"
"Nah! This is just to prove I'm strong enough. If I don't win, I'll make sure he loses a tooth or two." I laugh.
"Sure you would. When is it anyways?"
"Tomorrow!"
"Okay, but before that, you need to meet Princess Eleanor, today, actually now." She says reminding me.
"Oh, I almost forgot."
"It's alright. Let's go now and meet in the open." She reminds making me laugh.
"Alright, her majesty." I bow to her.
"Rose! You are gonna get me in trouble if you do that!" She slaps my shoulder.
"And you hit isn't going to get you in trouble?" I ask her playfully making her frown in distress.
"Okay, let's go. No more jesting."
***
"It's a pleasure you came to see me, but I thought you might be resting. You did go for a stroll around the Kingdom, didn't you?" Eleanor asks welcoming me into her chamber. I see it is simple, simpler for a royal.
"I don't feel tired. It rather feels good after interacting with the people." I say as she leads me to the round table beside a window in her room.
"I hope you liked it among the people. I love it when I'm among them. It feels great living a normal life." She says taking a seat and looking out.
I frown but let go.
"I see you are not interested in the royal events as well," I say.
"It gets boring. I like it outside the castle, probably because I don't get to go there much." She says.
"No, it's really great. And you'll see the common people tomorrow. I'm having a combat with Roald." I say.
"You are? Did the King agree?" She asks.
"He did."
"Can I ask a question?" I ask her.
"Sure."
"How is your relation with your brother? I mean, you greet him formally, even now, you don't say his name."
"It's nothing like that. He is just busy and I can call his name. I'm just not used to it."
I nod and we both sit in silence before Eleanor suddenly grabs her arm and winces.
"Are you alright?" I ask her.
"Yeah. I think you should go and rest." She says instead before gritting her teeth in pain again.
"Are you in pain?" I ask her.
"NO! Just go! I need to rest!" She says and I stand up not knowing what to do.
"Do you need any-"
"JUST GO!" She screams and I look at her with surprise. She inhales a deep breath and calms herself.
"Look, I'm sorry. I just need to rest. Please, leave." She says in a calm voice and I nod my head.
I think it's better to leave her right now.
I turn around and leave her chamber while continuing to worry about her.
Probably I should send a physician to her.
- Writer
