Twice Rejected
Chapter 45

Koko’s POV

It’s been a month since Niyole left on official duties. I missed him every second and I couldn’t help blushing every time I remembered our last love-making session.

Was he thinking about me too? I wonder if he missed me the way I was missing him too.

The palace had been a little calmer and peaceful ever since that girl, Scarlett, stopped picking on me. Although I was still having a hard time with Niyole’s mother, I had learned to bear it all.

She always threatened that I should leave the palace before Niyol comes back. Laci had told me to ignore whenever she was saying. It wasn’t like I talked back to her, but she always found an excuse to rain insults on me, even though I kept my mouth shut.

To be honest, I was already getting fed up. I was tired of being mocked by the servants because of her insults every day. If not for Laci’s involvement most times, I would have been used as a rag by the palace maids.

I had learned to always raise my head, however, I still put my head down whenever Niyol’s mother was around.

It was a lovely morning, yet I was feeling stuffy. So, I decided to go out to get some fresh air. These days I was always feeling stuffed and nauseated, but once I was outside, I felt better.

So I strode out to the garden. The scent of the lilies was calming to my mind and I decided to lay on the flowered bench nearby.

I was taking in the calming effect of the wind and scents of the flower when I heard heavy footsteps behind me. I turned to see Henry, who had a grin on his face.

“Oh, Henry! You startled me.” I said, standing up from the bench.

“Really? But I didn’t hear you screaming or jumping up in fright, yet you are saying, I started you,” he said.

I just smiled and sat down again. Henry moved a little closer to me, but didn’t sit down.

“Are you okay?” He asked.

“Yes. Where have you been for the past month? I didn’t hear anything from you. Did you go back to the human realm?” I asked.

He nodded in affirmative. “Yeah. I had to go back to assist my parents for some time before the alpha would come back. I only came back this morning and I decided to come and visit you.”

“That’s nice, Henry. Do come and visit me more, because I’m really lonely. Apart from Laci, I have no one else. And Niyol isn’t back yet.” I said, looking at my clasped hands.

“Don’t worry, I promise to come and visit you till Niyol comes, but it will be in the presence of people or open space. I don’t want Niyol to sever my head from my body when he comes back. He might think I am trying to snatch his mate away from him.” Henry said, smiling.

I just smiled at his words. “I doubt Niyol would do that. You are his friend and I am sure he trusts you.”

“You are so naive, Koko. Alright! But I still stick to my idea.”

“Alright. If that would make you comfortable, then let’s stick to your suggestion.” I replied.

Then another footstep came towards us. This time it was like an angry stomp of the foot.

An angry voice woke me up from my state of happy talk with Henry. Without looking at the person, I already knew who it was.

“Was this why you didn’t want to leave my son? So you can stay idle and flirt with every young man all day? You are just a cursed piece of trash!”

“Good morning, Queen mother,” I greeted her. I turned to see her with another woman. That same woman that I saw at the supermarket. Aunty Maria.

“Are you seriously wishing me a good morning with that devilish face of yours? What’s so good about the morning, when you are the one wishing me?” She asked, throwing me a disdainful look.

“Your majesty!” Henry bowed deeply to her.

She walked closer to us with Aunt Maria as they scowled at me. Niyol’s mother’s gaze went over to Henry and lingered there a little longer.” Are you Alpha Parker’s son?”

“Yes, Your majesty. I came with the trainees for this year. I await the approval of his majesty.” Henry said.

Aunt Maria squinted her eyes as she seemed to remember Henry’s face. “Isn’t this the young man that also defended her at the supermarket last month? So you are Alpha Parker’s son! No wonder you were so arrogant!”

Niyol’s mother just looked at him for a little while before looking away. Then she cast a disdainful gaze at me before saying,” Stay away from this cursed girl. You don’t know how you are going to be jinxed by people like her. You are from a royal family. Who knows how your association with her will jinx you.”

“Your majesty. I don’t believe in those stupid things as being jinxed or being cursed. I believe…”

“Are you trying to say I am stupid?” She asked, obviously suppressing her anger.

“Of course not, your majesty. I wouldn’t dare make such an assumption. You are after all the mother of our great Alpha king with discerning eyes and wisdom.” Henry said, smiling.

The Queen mother knew he was just twisting words.

But Aunt Maria would have none of his flattering as she chipped in, “I told you he was arrogant! But come to think of it, why are you so protective around her?”

“I’m just saying what I believe in. How is that being protective, Lady Maria?” Henry asked in a polished tone.

“You even defended her too at the supermarket in the presence of so many people. Is that also saying what you believe in? You don’t even know her, Prince Henry!” Aunt Maria said, smirking at him.

“Of course! I believe in facts, just as I believe that a person should not be oppressed simply because they are powerless. Who knows, that person might turn out to be very powerful!” He said.

“Powerful indeed! Using her dark powers, I suppose?”

“What about her powers as the alpha’s mate? I bet you and your family won’t be able to withstand that!” Henry mumbled loud enough for them to hear.

“You are crossing the line!” Aunt Maria said, looking really angry.

Instead of getting angry at him, the Queen mother directed her anger toward me. She obviously heard what Henry had said, but she chose to ignore him.

“I don’t know what powers you are using to control everyone around you, but I want to tell you that it’s not going to work anymore.”

“Queen mother… I’m truly sorry if I upset you in any way.” I said, bowing my head.

I really didn’t want any argument this morning. Besides, I was feeling sick. I just wanted to rest my head till I would feel better, but it seemed I could never get that wish done.

“If you have upset me? You know too well how you are continuing to upset me. I just want you to disappear from my presence and our lives! Is that so hard to do?” She said, her anger suddenly bursting out.

“I wonder why she kept clinging to the Alpha King. If you don’t have ulterior motives, why are you not leaving?” Aunt Maria said.

I remained quiet at her words. I didn’t have anything to say to her because I was still sticking to my words.

“I am sorry, Queen mother. But I am not leaving until Niyol tells me to leave. I already told you that I promised to wait for him.”

Yes, I wasn’t going anywhere. They were not my mate. Why should I leave my mate who already accepted me? Despite my appearance, he accepted me. I knew that I wasn’t a curse neither was I going to jinx anyone.

So, I was going to stick around until my mate returned, then If he wanted me out of his life, I won’t hesitate to leave. I would leave and never step my foot in this pack again.

“So you are still adamant? You are not going to leave? If you say so. Then I will have no choice but to make you disappear!” She said, glaring at me.

I still did not bulge or show any feelings on my face. I could see her anger rising.

“Mark my words, cursed girl! I will make you disappear!” She screamed, walking toward me in anger.

Her voice drew the attention of the servants and guards who were all staring at me and making weird faces. I felt embarrassed seeing all the stares at me.

I really wished I could hide somewhere, but unfortunately, I just couldn’t do any of that.

Just as Henry was about to say something to her, Laci’s voice beat him to it.

“Mother!”