Love and Chaos Series
The Alpha King’s Ugly Bride Chapter 12

A month later,

"Are you looking forward to the wedding banquet tonight?" Lydia asked, handing over the white cotton towel to Mia as soon as she stepped out of the bathtub. "What banquet?" Mai asked, taken aback by her question as she wrapped the towel around her body.

They stepped into the bedroom together.

"Your wedding banquet. To celebrate your union with the alpha king. For ordinary citizens in the kingdoms, wedding banquets are a week after their marriage, but for noble-born kings and queens, it's different. They get to enjoy a month of marital bliss also known as the honeymoon and after that the banquet takes place." she explained, clarifying the queen's confusion.

There were a lot of things Mia didn't know, many things she didn't place her heart to know. This was one of them. She never thought she'd settle in the kingdom much less to the king and so she never sort to educate herself in the affairs of marriage. Part of the blame was on her for never considering other opportunities. Fate had always played a twisted game in people's lives and she was to blame for never expecting hers.

Being a last-minute resort, the bride makers barely coached her on anything like they should. They were more concerned with dressing her up and sending her to the altar to keep their heads on their neck. Mia only started learning a few things after her marriage to the Alpha King.

Now, there was something to learn in the palace every day, and today was the marriage banquet.

"If that's the case, I am not looking forward to it." She answered, moving to the dressing mirror and taking her seat before it.

A pitiful look flashed across Lydia's face, but she didn't let Mia see it. She knew how much the queen hated being looked at with pity.

It had been over a month since Lydia had served her mistress, and queen and she had done her best to learn as fast as she could. The royal union wasn't a loving one, but the queen did her best to stay in line as if it was. She had tough skin and carried herself with grace despite wanting to scream out in pain. Any emotion that gave her pain away, she masked up, but Lydia saw through it all.

Lydia moved to the wardrobe, pulling out a simple grey robe for the morning and she laid it on the bed while Mia lather her body with the rose fragrance body cream before her.

"The nobles will be in attendance. And everyone will expect you and the Alpha king not only to be there but also to show the kingdom what a happy and loving union would look like," she concluded.

Mia turned to Lydia, a look of disbelief on her face. "But this is far from a happy or loving union. Those who came for the royal wedding a month ago saw the outrage of the alpha king. We coexist because we have no choice, not because we want to." the last part of Mia's words sounded too bitter for her liking, yet it was the truth.

"If you sell a lie well and often enough, it becomes an acceptable truth."

Mia agreed.

Most people don't long for the truth. They long for what they want to see and if they can get that, they'll search no further. She learnt this years ago.

"Your breakfast will come in as soon as you're dressed." Lydia bowed her head and exited the room.

Mia nodded and thanked Lydia as usual, and as soon as she exited the room she rose, picked up her dress and put it on. Then moved to the desk where the book she was yet to finish reading was. Knowing her quest to go round the world was now a pipedream, she settled for exploring through the books at her reach.

...

The knock came to the door and two maidens pushed opened it and entered, without Mia's beckoning. she noticed the emerald robe with crystal designs in the younger maids hands as they stepped further in. They stopped at the centre of the room, both having a smile on their faces.

Mia, who had stopped reading as soon as the door came flying, waited for them to speak. "Your robe just came in from the Royal dressmaker. Now we can get you ready for tonight." She raised a brow. "What's happening tonight?"

The cheerful look on both their faces faded. "Your wedding banquet, my queen. Did you forget?"

For a moment she did. She had carried on reading after breakfast and only took a break during lunch. She was almost at the end of the book and it had been a productive day so far.

"Do you prefer it up or down, my queen?" the older maid asked, grasping Mia's curly red hair between her hands. They had spent the last two hours fitting her into the dress and oiling and brushing her hair. This was the last touch before they'll wrap up and she couldn't wait.

"I don't think I'll get prettier either way." Mia thought to herself before mumbling, "Whatever you think will go well with this dress."

She nodded, "Yes, my queen."

They were halfway through getting her ready in a neat ponytail when her door flung open without warning or a knock and in marched her husband, the alpha king. Her heart skipped at his presence in her room and despite being surrounded by the dressers, she trembled helplessly. His presence had brought nothing good to her, in the past month. It had only brought fear, pain and anger and almost always, she looked forward to his departure. "Leave us." He commanded, and the dressers immediately scattered out of the room, leaving them alone.

He currently stood in a matching emerald robe with designs similar to hers except his robe had a masculine look compared to hers. His long black hair was in a neat bun and the beards he'd been grooming this past month gave an edge to his refined face. She silently rose to her feet to face him with her hands entwined. A part of her wondering what he came to say and another part knowing exactly what he came to say.

"By now, I'd think you're already aware of what lies ahead tonight?" He asked, his tone brittle.

"I have been told." She nodded and fidgeted with her fingers, her tone calm. It was a little fear at work and more self-preservation because the last time she raised her voice at him, he choked the life out of her.

He nodded, "Good," then he proceeded to lay down the rules of engagements, formality and cautiousness, for the night.

"And you shall be at your best behaviour-"

"I am always on my best behaviour, my king."

What she just said triggered him because he glared at her, flickers of red in his gaze. "Do not interrupt me when I'm talking and do not speak unless spoken to." he took a bold step towards her and her heart skipped a beat.

She staggered back and her legs met with the front of the dressing mirror.

F**k!

She didn't fear him a little, she feared him a lot. After their clash over a month ago, she promised she would never put herself in any situation that would anger the Alpha king. If being triggered brought out the worse in him, then she'd do her best to not trigger him. She nodded, "Yes, my king. Will we be together throughout the night?"

"Yes, unless otherwise. We are newlyweds, after all, and we must make everyone believe we are happy." His eyes flicker and for a brief moment, she thought she saw helplessness in them.

"How long does the banquet last?" her inquisitive brow rose.

"It starts in a few minutes and lasts until midnight."

"Too long," she muttered to herself, but glancing up, she saw his heated gaze on her.

He opened his mouth to speak, but she beat him to it. "Don't worry, I won't give you a reason to choke the life out of me the second time."

"If you as much as bring your rebellious attitude, getting choked would be the least of your worries," he promised before marching out of her room.