Before Anisha knew it, time flew by in the blink of an eye. A week had already passed.
Nhel seemed to ignore her these past days. He just tries to be there for meals and then stays away.
Anisha began to be suspicious, 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 went through the same routine.
She would take 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 she would wake up and find him next to her, sometimes she wouldn't. Even if he later came in, by morning he was gone.
She stared at the huge and wide gates that were ahead of her, could she go out?
It seemed like it was inviting her to pass through its 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.
Another person 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 voice said
"We don't know for sure if she's truly innocent but it was quite unfortunate for her,"
"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. She might have 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 Prince Nhel. Don't 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 moved to walk in on them but was stopped
"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, what if someone hears you."
"What are you afraid of, Prince Nhel is currently not around and the Princess is probably with Prince Edmond. This makes me feel His Highness is very tolerant of certain behaviors."
Anisha gripped her knuckles hard, wanting to barge in and give the girl a resounding slap for utter such words.
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 send 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 drunk already.
Her gaze lowered as her head dropped lightly on the table.
Nhel came in and scanned across the room. He couldn't recall telling her they would star gaze so what was it about.
He had no clue how marriage worked so he thought giving her space was the best thing to do.
His eyebrows went up as he picked up the bottle accessing its quantity. She had gone over half.
It appeared this wife of his was a taker.
Anisha's eyes flung open as soon as he touched her.
Nhel froze, her eyes were red, face flushed but gaze surprisingly steady.
"You came back," she said softly and smiled.
"Why did you drink?" Nhel asked.
Sluggishly standing up to face him showed Nhel that she had taken an amount of liquor.
"Unzip my dress, would you?"
Nhel became taken aback by her words.
His hands reached for her corset and loosened the ropes.
"The servants should have helped you change into a more comfortable dress," 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 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.
Although he didn't 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.
She held on to his arms, taking him by surprise.
"Did I actually do anything wrong? you're leaving again,"
Her eyes were sunken and tears had gathered up. His heart skipped a beat at the sight.
"Please I need to know, do I irritate you that much?"
His arms were gripped tightly by her but he didn't feel the pain.
He was clueless on why she was asking these questions so he found it hard to reply.
"What are you doing?" Nhel asked, 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 lightly.
"You are not yourself, when you're sober I'll eat you up with pleasure," he muttered under his breath, shutting his eyes hard.
Her lips looked full and red that it crazily attracted him to have a taste.
Remembering Anisha mentioned a name, he inquired, "who's she?"
"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 below his chest and said words that were muffled. Lifting her up, Nhel tucked her in bed and joined her.
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.
After thinking for some time, Nhel finally figured out why she had said all those things.
To think he thought he was giving her the space she needed when in reality, 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 her and was surprised 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.