Key to the throne

Dahlia's sleep abruptly broke and she promptly sat up on the bed. "How long did I sleep?" She mumbled to herself, scratching the back of her head. She recalled how she was waiting for Sullivan, but he didn't come, so she fell asleep. 

"It's already night. Sullivan didn't even wake me up." Dahlia made her way out of the bedchamber. She realized Nylie wasn't around and she continued walking until she observed Sullivan on a chair, reading something in the dim light.

"You didn't wake me up. I slept for hours," Dahlia murmured and scratched the back of her head. "Did you have lunch?" she went to him and stood beside the chair. "What are you reading?" She bent on her knees when he closed the book in his hand. 

Dahlia stood straight while gazing at him in bewilderment. "You don't have to shut the book like that," she complained. 

"You aren't allowed to sleep during the day," Sullivan said. 

"Why? I've nothing to do, except for sleeping," Dahlia mumbled. She looked for the water jar and poured a glass of water for herself. She quenched her thirst after drinking two glasses of water and felt good. 

"What time it is?" Dahlia asked. 

"There's an hour left for the dinnertime," Sullivan replied. "You said you would help me get the throne. How do you know I need the throne?" He suddenly asked a question, which Dahlia didn't anticipate. 

"Because you were bullied by everyone. Definitely you need a power to rule above everyone and show them their places," Dahlia stated with a calm demeanor. 

"Tomorrow, I have to prove myself that I'm worthy of being a military commander," Sullivan confided in her. "I won't be granted a high rank just because I'm your husband. Unlike the others, I need to prove my worth," he asserted. His words carried a heavy tone, which showed his disappointment. 

"How Prince Ainsley became a military commander?" Dahlia queried.

"He's the King's son. There were no exams held for him," Sullivan replied. 

"You are also the King's son," Dahlia pronounced. 

"My birth was a mistake. I'm an illegitimate son, who wasn't supposed to born in this world," Sullivan replied, peering at her. Dahlia was hurt by that statement. If she could feel this much pain, how heavy Sullivan's pain would be, it was unexplainable. 

"Don't say that you were a mistake," Dahlia told him. "The King loved your mother. Your mother loved you and that's why you are here," she stated while being serious. 

"Did she? I doubt," Sullivan blinked slowly as he lowered his eye. For him, there was no one who ever loved him. Everyone hated him. Even the King despised him. He wasn't feared of any exam, but the discrimination he faced. He knew they would anything to disqualify him from the test tomorrow. 

Dahlia pondered why the King do that. Why Sullivan needed to prove that he was fit for the military, but Ainsley didn't have to. Even Daedric became the General in military without any struggle. He was trained since his childhood days to be a strong military general. 

Dahlia knew that Sullivan learned everything by himself in hiding. When others had fun, he practiced what he would watch from the far. She knew Sullivan would qualify to be a commander based on his skills. 

Dahlia left her seat and went out while Sullivan watched her. He pondered where she could disappear to until she returned with a bowl full of red berries. "I brought your favorite berries," Dahlia said and sat on the broad armrest of the chair. She held one between her thumb and pointer finger before feeding it to Sullivan. 

"I trust your abilities. You will qualify tomorrow," Dahlia said. "About the discrimination you faced, we will soon plan out to make things smooth for you. You have no fault in anything, Sullivan," she asserted. 

Sullivan wasn't pampered this way before, so this feeling was new for him. He never opened up with anyone. However, in his eyes Dahlia wasn't the same person, so he talked to her about the injustices he suffered all this time. 

He continued to eat the berries until he witnessed how Dahlia licked her index finger after its juice spread on her finger. He bit his bottom lip and recalled her finger did touch his lip. 'Why is so careless?' he thought when Dahlia pushed a berry inside his mouth, causing him to look at her again. 

"Sullivan, you are a good human. You don't need to feel low as long as I'm with you. I am your admirer for a long time and I have always prayed for you," Dahlia stated. She ate a few berries as she turned a bit silent now. 

"I need to go somewhere. I'll see you later," Sullivan stood up from the chair. 

"Where?" Dahlia was excited to accompany him. "Let's go together," she placed the bowl on the table and wiped her hands on her own dress, not caring if any stain would leave behind. 

"Let's do the horseriding," Sullivan suddenly talked about the same thing, which Dahlia ignored somehow in the day. 

"At night? It's not a good idea," Dahlia replied. She was nervous from inside, but she couldn't let it show on her face. 

"The field is well illuminated. You don't have to feel scared of falling," Sullivan said while squinting his eyes at her. 

"Alright." Dahlia agreed with a fake smile. 'I am scared of horses. If I fall down and break my leg, I'll be exposed. Sullivan is smart. He still is suspicious of me. That's why he suddenly asked for it,' she thought while following him silently. 

'Dahlia, you are not the cunning woman anymore. Something is off with you. I have to find out what. Also, tomorrow even if I fail, you'll make sure I get the rank. You are the only key I have to the throne. Hopefully, you beg the King well, or else, there will be no use of marrying you,' Sullivan thought as his deep thoughts finally surfaced.