Chapter 34: Once she has served her purpose, she...

Angelique's POV

Damien and I spent most of the day together talking nonstop. Perhaps he believes that I have already forgiven him for what he has done to me. No, I haven't. I haven't forgiven him at all. And all this effort of getting him closer to his sister and family is nothing but a part of my scheme against him. After what he did to me, I am more than certain that I'm not safe with him. He might've let me feel I was once, but that will never happen again. I see him for exactly what he is—a monster.

As of the moment, we're in the library discussing the book he had left behind. I haven't read anything past the first chapter and he's very appalled by it. He claimed that the book is very interesting and a lesson to be learned.

"I won't spoil the book for you," he says, pushing the book towards me. "You have to read it yourself."

I pushed it back, saying, "Telling me the story saves me time and energy."

"Angelique," he says.

"Damien," I said back, a smirk spread across my face.

He sighed, taking the book. "Princess, if you won't read it, then there's no pushing you to," he says, "The story of the forgotten queen is interesting. It shan't be disrespected."

"You didn't say a single thing about your new happy family," I said, grinning, "I heard the rumor. Silver and Rose are finally engaged. How fitting."

He smiled, looking away.

I held him by the chin, making him face me. "Why didn't you?" I asked.

He held my hand firmly against his face, saying, "I don't know. Honestly, it must've slipped my mind. After the engagement, all I wanted to do was spend time with you." He chuckled, pricking my forehead. "Don't give me that look," he says, "I haven't gone mad yet. This is all but a political arrangement... unless we change our minds."

I felt my blood rushing to my cheeks, making me blush a very bright shade of red. I looked like an overripe tomato. I think the time we spent together has run its course and it's time for us to go our separate ways for the day.

"I'm just teasing," he says, "I always enjoyed playing with you, love. You're pregnant, so this is my way of doing it gently. The look on your face is quite satisfying."

"You're annoying," I said, pricking his forehead back. I stood up from my seat, getting ready to leave.

Hera soon entered, curtsying to us both. "Princess, Prince," she greets, "Princess Angelique, Prince Jonah would like to have an audience with you."

I looked at Damien. He didn't look bothered at all. Instead, he just nodded, gesturing for me to go.

"I'm not worried," he says, "Besides, he won't do anything to you. You're pregnant."

That statement made me want to throw my fist in his face. Did he mean to say that I'm not desirable due to my pregnancy? That I am no longer attractive due to my swollen feet, heavy breasts, and plump melon of a belly! Unbelievable.

Damien chuckled, well aware that I took offense to what he said. "I didn't mean whatever it is you're thinking," he says, "If you want, I can make you feel desirable tonight. It's been ages, hasn't it? I'd love to make you feel special tonight."

Hera interrupted, "Please, your grace. With all due respect, I would appreciate it if you kept these intimate conversations to yourselves and in your bedroom." She looked like she could vomit at any given second.

Damien nodded, gesturing for us to be on our way.

Hera remained silent as we walked. I just remembered the scene I had witnessed yesterday. Did Jonah propose to her?

"Why are you so silent?" I asked her.

I received no answer from her.

Again, I asked, "Hera, why are you so silent? Is something the matter?"

She shook her head in response, smiling awkwardly at me. "Nothing's wrong, Angelique," she stammers, "There's just something we wanted to tell you."

I asked no more, waiting patiently for the right time to ask them what the hell was going on. It didn't take long for us to reach Jonah at the pavilion in the main garden. He looked absolutely stiff in his seat as he anticipated our arrival. His face lit up at the sight of us.

"Prince Jonah," I greeted, "What is the meaning of this? Why have you summoned me so abruptly? What is this news you wish to tell me?"

He pulled out a seat for me to sit and Hera next. He then sat across from me and next to Hera. He appears serious.

"I wished for you to know that I am," he struggles, "That we are engaged."

Engaged, you say? Well, well, well... I wonder why. Are you using my friend as a pawn in your game, Jonah? Have you finally gone as cold and cruel as we are?

"You look pale, Angelique," Hera says concernedly, "I apologize if the news brings you anxiety. It happened really fast, and all I could do was say "yes" to him. I wanted to tell you that I may have your blessing as my princess and my friend."

Oh, Hera... You're way smarter than this and you know that. But still, I've done my part as your friend after Jonah deemed unworthy for you. I warned you countless times. Who am I to stand in the way of your "happiness" and "true love" as you so poetically put it? I'm just your friend. All there is to do now is to stand by you. But, though I am your friend, I cannot save you from the possible outcome of the arrangement you have placed yourself into. Should you lose your life, your blood is in your own hands. This is the end of us.

Smiling, I nodded at them.

"Oh, thank you!" she beams, "Thank you, Angelique!"

"You must go and tell your family then," Jonah says, "I shall speak to Angelique about the matters of our political affairs."

Hera nodded, curtsying to us both. Once she was gone, the real conversation was about to take place.

I looked sternly at Jonah as he did back at me. We were both in an intense staring contest and were both eager to win. It's as though we were already conversing with our eyes. I have so many questions right now.

"Why her?" I asked, not breaking eye contact.

"Because she is close to you," he replied coldly, "No one would question me if I'm always near and ready to protect you."

"You're going to sacrifice Hera? OUR friend?" I questioned angrily, "Are you even the same Jonah I knew? Because from here, you're starting to act more and more like Damien. Is this your way of making me jealous? To get my attention? Let me tell you how selfish this is."

He raised his hand, shaking his head in disbelief. "My world does not revolve around you, Angelique," he says coldly, "I'm doing this because of my brother's orders. I have to protect you. Hera is just collateral damage. Once she has served her purpose, she..."

"Don't even dare to finish that sentence, Jonah," I said angrily, "Don't even go there." I took a deep breath, calming myself down. He's right. His world no longer revolves around me. Hera is just collateral damage. He's just doing his part in this war.

"This is all I have to say to you," I said calmly, "Hera has made her choice despite my many efforts to sway her from loving you. You will be her downfall. As for you, I hope you can live with the guilt of whatever it is you're going to do to our friend. Other than that, there's no more to say. Once she marries you, she no longer is my lady and is now a princess and your wife. I will cut ties with her knowing that I can no longer trust her. You two will no longer be a friend to me, but just an ally to my country. You'll be nothing but a piece in my own game board." With that said, I stood up and turned to leave.

Jonah caught my wrist, tugging on it. "You do not get to have the last word every single time," he says, "Just so you know, I don't trust you anymore either. You seem to be so in love with Damien that you have lost who you once were. I don't recognize you anymore!"

"Neither do I recognize you!" I argued, "You changed."

"So have you," he snapped back, "You're no longer the White Knight of the House of White. You're just Angelique, the wife of Damien Cross. The oven used for cooking up heirs. You have become nothing!"

Before I could say anything, my body reacted instinctively by slapping him hard on his cheek. I didn't need to say anything at all. That enough was a response. I left him standing there, watching as my figure disappeared. All I could think of was "What the hell just happened?" Jonah and I have been friends for years. Today, we're no longer friends. I think I said too much to ever take it back. No matter how badly I want to run back and hug him, I cannot. I cannot be disrespected like that. Sure, I have done equally horrible things to him... I hurt him by rejecting him countless times, but I did not deserve that. For my best friend to call me "an oven for making heirs" that was incredibly painful. I regret this. I regret everything that just happened. I am certain that there's no more going back ever again. He has no idea how much I want to hug him and just erase everything that happened. He was my rock. I didn't think he'd shatter me to pieces like this. Was this the same pain he felt whenever I rejected him?

I didn't notice the tears flooding from my eyes until Alicent came running to me in worry. She dabbed her handkerchief on my face, wiping away the tears.

"Did my brother do something to upset you, your grace?" she asked worriedly.

I smiled at her, wiping my own tears away. I sat down with her, inhaling deeply. "I assure you, your brother can't do anything to make me cry," I say, "He doesn't have what it takes. I'm too dense a woman for him."

She snickered, holding my hand. "You still manage to joke about it despite the obvious pain in your eyes," she said admiringly, "I truly admire you, princess."

"Thank you, Alicent," I said, "Please do not let anyone know of this. I am just having the blues due to my pregnancy; nothing more."

She nodded obediently, holding my hands firmly. "Yes, princess."

For some reason, she seemed to calm me down. I suppose it's nice to have a younger sister. Well, sister-in-law. I shall hope she doesn't loathe me when the time to strike her brother down comes. Though, I am well-aware that she will loathe me with all her heart.