CHAPTER 79: DON’T PLAY GAMES AGAINST ME

Rhynera rolled on the bed and she felt a lot of discomfort, tirelessly she opened it and was shocked to see herself half naked.

She blinked her eyes confused as she tried to recall what had transpired the previous night but nothing came to her mind.

Still, her body told her the truth, she could tell very well that she had an illicit affair.

Her legs shook when she tried to stand. A sharp ache between her thighs made her wince. Whoever had touched her... had been rough.

She wanted to believe it was Adam. She wanted to think her own husband had been with her.

But she couldn’t remember anything.

"Mia!" she called out from the top of her lungs, but there was no response.

She was about to call her again when her eyes met with her reflection in front of the giant mirror resting on the wall.

She could see several hickey on her neck and she almost hit the ground, her hands moved to her neck and she shook her head.

"This must be from Adam... please let this be from Adam.." With everything in she screamed.

The door suddenly opened. She gasped, snatching the blanket around her body, but it was too late Adam walked in.

He stopped, his eyes sweeping the room, confusion flickering on his face.

"Why are you screaming like that?" he asked, worriedly.

He took a step forward and then his eyes caught on the faint mark at her neck. His brows drew together.

"What is this?" he asked, his voice lower now. Before she could answer, he stepped in, his hand gripping the side of her neck as he tilted her face toward the light. His gaze hardened when he saw the dark hickey.

Then his eyes moved to the mattress to see how the bed was so rough, he didn’t even miss the smell, he could tell she had just had sex with someone.

His stare came back to her. "What happened here?"

Rhynera’s voice was barely a whisper. "I... I can’t remember. Maybe... maybe you were the one... maybe it was us..."

Adam’s expression darkened. For a moment, she thought he might explode in rage, but he pulled back, forcing himself to breathe.

He was a prince and this was their nuptial night, this was an open scandal that could destroy the alliance between realms.

Still, his voice came out cold as ice. "You had sex with someone behind my back... on our nuptial ceremony night?"

Her eyes went wide, and she shook her head quickly. "No! I don’t know what happened. I swear..."

She clutched the blanket tighter, panic in her voice. "The last thing I remember was drinking... then everything is gone."

Adam’s jaw clenched. He remembered how strangely she had been acting at the feast. Someone had played a game right under his nose.

"That means," he said slowly, anger sharpening every word, "someone else took your first time instead of me."

Tears slid down her cheeks. She shook her head, but her lips trembled.

A knock sounded at the door. Lady Serena stepped inside, glancing around.

"Oh..." she stopped, turning her back. "I heard you raise your voice. I thought I should check. Sorry, I will leave now."

Adam’s smirk stopped her. "You shouldn’t leave." Serena looked over her shoulder.

"Why?"

"You work with herbs, don’t you?" he asked.

She nodded slowly. "Yes."

"Good." His smirk turned cruel. "Make sure she doesn’t get pregnant."

Serena blinked, confusion flashing in her eyes. "What?"

Adam didn’t hesitate. "My new wife here," he said coldly, "slept with an unknown man on our wedding night."

Rhynera’s face burned with shame. "Adam!" she shouted, furious that he would say it in front of Serena.

He didn’t even look at her. "She’s no one important to me anymore. The moment she gave another man her first, she lost anything that mattered."

Serena’s brows drew together. "Come on, Your Highness... don’t be so harsh." She moved toward Rhynera, reaching to pull a cloak over her bare shoulders but Adam’s hand shot out, grabbing her wrist.

Rhynera’s heart pounded. She watched the two of them closely, rage building in her chest. She didn’t understand what had happened last night but a sick suspicion was growing in her mind.

Adam’s voice was firm. "Every herb you know... make sure you use it. I don’t want her carrying another man’s child."

Serena gave a soft, pitiful sigh. "She’s still your wife."

Adam’s eyes narrowed. "I will find the man who touched her... and make him regret it. And as for you, Rhynera..."

He turned toward her, his voice dropping dangerously low. "Not a single word of this leaves your lips. From today on, you are only my crown princess. Forget about love, it will never happen between us." With that, he turned and left, the door closing hard behind him.

Silence filled the chamber, as Rhynera felt everything draining out of her.

Serena moved closer, her expression soft as she gently pulled Rhynera into a hug. Then her lips brushed near Rhynera’s ear.

"The next time you play games," Serena whispered, "make sure it’s never against me."

Rhynera froze, pulling back to stare at her. "You... You made me lose my first..." Her voice broke down with shock.

She raised her hand to attack Serena, but Serena caught her wrist midair and slapped her sharply across the face instead.

"Blame your maid for being stupid," Serena said calmly.

She leaned in again, her fingers brushing Rhynera’s cheek almost tenderly.

"You are just eighteen... too young for games like this. I have been with Adam for years and I will always be the one he loves." Rhynera’s throat tightened, but no words came.

"The crown princess title he gave you?" Serena’s lips curved in a cold smile. "I can take it away whenever I want... but..." Her hands trailed over Rhynera’s hair.

"Enjoy it for now." She turned to leave then paused in the doorway.

"Oh... and while you screamed under the man you sent to me," Serena added, her voice laced with satisfaction

"Adam was making love to me, whispering my name.."

With that, she walked out, looking pleased with herself leaving Rhynera staring after her speechless.