CHAPTER 89: WHAT DOES "NO" MEAN?

No?

I stabbed my fork into the steak. I used my knife to aggressively cut even though it was the softest meat ever, and I was only making sharp noises.

There was nothing else better than saying no to my face? This damn beast!

I felt Drevon’s gaze locked on me, but I opted for eating.

I was very hungry, so I helped myself to what my hand could reach, shoving them into my mouth and chewing with eager passion.

"Eloise?"

I didn’t reply, simply plating myself some pastries.

After what seemed like a few minutes, I heard the chair. Lifting my gaze, I found Drevon coming toward me, pulling the chair with him.

I swallowed down my mouthful and grabbed the crystal goblet to take a drink.

Drevon stopped beside me and positioned his chair.

"You should be at the other end. It’s proper."

"I’ll have the table changed, it’s ridiculously long. Too far from you."

"No," I said, sucking the sugar on my thumb. "I think it’s perfect, it gives me space."

"Space?"

"Yes, it’s already suffocating enough with you around me every minute," I voiced. "Oh, and I really wish you didn’t decide to spend the entire day with me."

"And why is that?"

I used the napkin to wipe my hands and pushed off my chair, rounding the table to walk away.

"Perhaps we should go back to bed? I intend to spend the entire day being lazy with you."

I halted my steps, threw a look over my shoulder, annoyance plastered on my face. "With your cock?"

"If that is what pleases my little wife."

Tempting.

"I’d rather spend the entire day staring at the skies while brooding." I pushed open the door, arms folded, as I strolled the corridor.

Tsk! The nerve of that beast! He wants to spend the day being lazy with me, yet he doesn’t want me to attend the ball.

I certainly had no interest in the details of the ball that was hosting that trash, Prince Damon. What aggravates me most is the thought of Drevon not wanting me to be by his side in such an event.

I’m his wife! And public appearances on occasions were necessary. What reason could he possibly have for not wanting me to attend? Surely I’m not buying that it’s for my safety.

"Eloise!"

I spun and shot Drevon with a glare. "I’m done with breakfast, so leave me be!"

"Are you angry with me?" He asked with a softened gaze.

"Do I look like I’m angry?"

He tipped his head, observing me amusedly. "All the lines are showing on your face."

"Are you calling me old?!"

"Goddess no!" he laughed softly.

I clenched my teeth. "Stay here and don’t follow me. How hard can that be? After all, that is what I’m going to do the rest of tomorrow!"

"This is about the ball, then." He grasped my waist and pulled me to his body.

I hated how much I loved this contact. However, I pushed his hands away and took a step back.

"I have no idea what you’re talking about," I denied. "Is there a reason I should be angry about the ball? Care to tell me, my liege?"

He opened his mouth to speak, but loud footsteps came, and Dia was seen.

"Dia!" I hurried to her and grabbed her arm. "I’ve been waiting for you!"

"What—" she paused, looking over to Drevon and then me. "I beg your pardon?"

"I promised we’d talk about that matter!"

"Talk—"

I didn’t let her finish as I hauled her away with me.

"Why do I get the feeling I have come between something?" Dia asked behind me.

"No, you came at the perfect time!" I said quickly on my steps, determined to put some distance.

"And you, what are you doing here?" I asked when we got to the courtyard.

"U-Um, running an errand for the princess!"

I should be thankful to the princess.

There was nothing else I could do to avoid Drevon.

"Where is Osha?"

"I wish I knew," I said, rolling my eyes.

I haven’t seen her since this morning. I’m blushing just thinking about the bathing time with Drevon, even though I was too busy fuming over his decision to let me sit this ball out, I did enjoy that quality time.

However, that is ruined. I don’t know, something just doesn’t sit well with Drevon telling me no. Or maybe it’s because he had never disagreed with me before.

I felt a finger poke my cheek, and I brought my gaze to Dia.

"Is it normal for humans to just stand and stare into space? I could have sworn you had lost your mind rambling over in your head."

"Haha, funny." I pushed her hand away. "It’s called thinking, you should try that something. It’s very enlightening."

"You..." she wavered before releasing a sharp exhale. "Did the monarch and you fight?"

I scoffed. "I wish that were the case," I said, folding my arms. "All because of that stupid Debutant Ball. Who would want to attend that trash? If he doesn’t want me to attend it by his side, he should have just said so directly rather than telling me no!"

I snapped my wild eyes at Dia, who jumped at my fierce glare.

"What is no? Surely it can mean several things. It’s completely normal that when you say no, you give a reason or an explanation and not throw the safety move at my face. But that beast isn’t normal, is he? Is he?"

Dia was far away from me now.

"What are you going over there?!"

"You might very well strike me as you set off like an eruption. I urge you to look at yourself in the mirror. You look hideous, throwing a fit."

"I’m not throwing a fit," I said, pacing. "I’m simply expressing my feelings."

"Are you usually this aggressive when things don’t go your way?" Dia questioned, eyes raking me from head to toe like I was a creation she couldn’t comprehend.

"Do I look aggressive?"

"No, you look beautiful," she uttered sarcastically, but then she did a double check. "And radiant..." she murmured as if my sudden appearance was something she couldn’t understand.

Did I have something on my face?

Dia came close, hands on her hips, with her neck stretched as if to detail everything. "You look far different from the last time I saw you."