's

and I feel like

ay, someone knocks on my door and leaves a tray of food outside. The lonel

hat Alexander wants my presence at a banquet. He drops a bl

s simple and elegant, and instantly, I am in love with it.

y at 8 P

barely concealed command in the note, but don't let it get to me. The i

k forward to instead of wasting away in this cold, cold room. Ten minutes

hair in a soft updo and have brushed light makeup on my face. My eyes look alive after so

. My earlier plan to appeal to Alexander's h

on this banquet, he is c

in a black suit, and his blue pocket square matches my dress. When he finally lifts his eyes and

However, my smile falters when I see his eyes harden. With a dismissive f

with a deep breath, I gather all my dignity and calmly follow him out.

n embarrassed blush color my cheeks. Ducking my head d

y a word to me. He is constantly typing out em

outside view. It feels like it's been so long since I saw the outside wor

ng with excitement. I get out of the car without waiting for anyb

ll smile, but my lips freeze. He is looking down at me with excitement of his own. Except, there is a vicious ed

and just enjoy the lit

are wide as I take in all the beautiful floral arrangements in the banquet. They

ds. Alexander doesn't respond, neither does he let me

y senses, and my smile widens. I feel an almost childlike glee tak

r, the people mingling and the li

my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. "Don't worry, I have just th

n his voice. However, I only find more people standing around a couple there. I am not sure what's there to

ls like my entire wo

in the scene, and a sharp s

e with his arm around a woma

she is holding to lightly splash on her fingers. Immediately, James takes the coffee from her han

a thousand times before. A gestu

omebody would do

w someb

h them look like they are co

s. I had immediately taken to her and she had been my only female friend. I disc

ther like this. Just days aft

, I berat

o

e no

I had agreed to it to save James, I

and try to turn away. But Alexander's merciless

iar face. We just have

d I can only watch in helpless h

tting crushed with a gigantic hammer. By the time I

gid. He looks at me once and quickly looks away. R

Who's your lovely new lady friend?" Alexande

a plot to hurt me. To bring me pain by making m

t to hold myself together, afraid that

les uncom

her. They are great frien

el Alexander t

sharply, an ed

squeals animatedly. "Isn't that right, Ivy? You look so

expression come over Alexander's face. He no longer wears the vicious glee he was spor

nstricted. I swallow slightly and instead, just giv

ward, and my heart sinks as I look at the ring there.

y so busy with your marriage, or you w

eel like he is going to flay her with his words. But then, all expression wipes from his f

holding myself up. The excitement of finally getting out of the palace has completely seeped out

hem with a big smile. Gently, extricating myself from

ions," I whi

ppy for

th sincerely,

I am happ

Just because I wasn't happy in this fake mar

at it hurts

he awkwardly says her goodbye t

sway on my feet, overwhelmed by th

l, that wa

. I try, but I cannot hide my emotions any more. I feel vulnerable

hard. An irritated expression flashes through him as he takes

just like your fake piety. Easily changeable and replaced. Y

and hurt from today's encounter bubbles over, and tears freely fall down my face. A

omes out shaky but clear. "Yes, I am

n as more tears f

did nothing wrong? It's people who hurt others so cruelly who should be ashamed. It's people like yo

nches and his eyes turn darker. Cold anger t

t's like a dam has

nd with a trembling whisper. A hiccup

not backing down, even

s Alexander's eyes turn to ice, a

shut, knowing that whatever he is go

realization

e now from the Ly