Reincarnated as the Betrothed: Bride of the Shadow Queen

Anezka's Pov

As everyone quietly departed to give me some much-needed rest, I surrendered to sleep, hoping to soothe the throbbing pain in my head. The hours slipped by, and I eventually stirred awake, feeling a touch more refreshed.

Needing a break from the heaviness enveloping me, I decided on a long, soothing bath. The warm water enveloped me like a comforting embrace, and I let my worries drift away. Afterward, I chose a light sky-blue cotton dress that seemed to match the calmness I craved, and I deftly braided my hair, feeling the gentle tugs of the strands as I worked.

A wave of realization hit me—Rhea hadn't visited my room today, and now the clock read late into the night. "Did she go to sleep without meeting me?" I mused, a hint of concern creeping in. My stomach began to growl, reminding me that dinner must have already been served at nine o'clock.

I found myself torn between the idea of venturing out to ask someone for a small snack or searching for Rhea to see if she was still awake. Just as I was weighing my options, a soft knock echoed from the door of my chamber. Curiosity piqued, I rose and opened the door, eager to see who was there.

I was taken aback when I saw Adrian carefully maneuvering a food-serving trolley, a wide grin on his face, while the rest of my cousins followed closely behind him. "Can we come in?" Adrian asked, his eyes glimmering with excitement.

"Of course, come in," I replied with a welcoming gesture as I settled myself on the edge of the bed. Adrian wheeled the trolley into the room, its surface laden with a colorful assortment of dishes, while Aella entered with a large, patterned picnic mat draped over her arm.

I observed Hayes and Aiden as they made their way into the chamber, struggling slightly with a large Japanese foldable floor table. What were these guys planning? A picnic in my chamber? Was that really a thing? Everything about this kingdom felt peculiar to me at this point, but I chose to remain silent, curious to see where this would lead.

Aella glided to the glass door of the balcony, swinging it open with a soft clang, and began spreading the picnic mat on the floor, smoothing out any wrinkles with meticulous care. Meanwhile, Hayes and Aiden worked together to drag the elegant wooden table onto the balcony, positioning it precisely in the center of the vibrant mat.

Once their setup was complete, the excited energy in the air shifted as they started arranging beautiful plates on the table. Aella then took charge of the dishes on the trolley, gracefully serving an array of delicious foods onto each plate, the aroma wafting around us, promising a delightful feast.

Once everything was meticulously arranged, my siblings gathered around me, forming a semicircle that felt imposing, almost like a gang confronting someone in the mortal world. It made me wonder—do such gang terms even exist in this immortal realm?

"Sister, we understand that what happened today must have taken a significant toll on you," Adrian said, his voice a mix of concern and empathy. His words struck a chord, reminding me of the struggle I had faced earlier.

An ache blossomed in my chest as I realized that none of them had come to my defense. They were my siblings, after all—wasn't it their duty to stand by me? It was as if my pain was etched onto my face, compelling them to lower their heads, their expressions heavy with guilt.

Adrian, seeming to read my thoughts, continued, "I know you're wondering why we all remained silent instead of standing up for you." I offered a slight nod, acknowledging the hurt I felt. "Sister," he continued, "Mentor Selmor has a strict code—he doesn't tolerate any interruptions. He only listens to our mother. When he's engaged in something, she's the sole authority who can intervene. We believed he would never harm anyone. We thought he was merely testing your abilities since that's what he does with everyone who joins his sessions. He assesses their skills first before assigning them their respective roles. None of us expected you would lose consciousness."

As he spoke, the weight of the situation settled around us, and I could sense the shared concern in their eyes. The atmosphere was thick with unspoken feelings and the desire to comfort me, yet the reality of our mentor's ways loomed large.

"Adrian, I honestly have no idea how everything functions here," I admitted, a mix of frustration and vulnerability creeping into my voice. "It's only been a week since I stepped into this extraordinary world, and it feels so different compared to my own. I'm trying my best to find my place, but adapting is proving to be quite challenging. It's not like I can instantly grasp the intricacies of your world's social norms in just a few hours."

As I poured out my thoughts, Aella stepped forward, a look of understanding softening her features. "I get it, Anezka," she replied earnestly. "That's why we've all come to a decision. From now on, we will help you navigate this new life. We'll show you how we live and interact. After what happened today, we realized the error of our ways, and we sincerely apologize for how we treated you." Hearing Aella, who often projected an air of arrogance, offer an apology took me by surprise.

Perhaps she wasn't as unapproachable as I'd initially believed. "It's alright," I said, with a newfound empathy. "I understand that I'm being new in your different environment can be tough. It's only natural for finding it hard to get along with someone unfamiliar." I hoped that my words conveyed the understanding I felt deep down, bridging the gap between us.

"To bridge the gap of unfamiliarity among us, we decided to host a lively dinner where everyone could relax and connect," Hayes said, his smile radiating warmth and enthusiasm. As I listened to him, a wave of happiness washed over me at the thought of finally having siblings; I was grateful to be their sister. With a newfound sparkle in my eyes, I replied, "Absolutely! I'm thrilled at the opportunity to learn more about all of you. To be honest, my curiosity is piqued!" I beamed, feeling the excitement of the evening ahead.

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"May the flowers remind us why the rain was so necessary"

- By Xan Oku