Chapter 6

“U..uh I…I-“ I closed my mouth and kept quiet.

Cassian raised his brow.

“Sure. Come in.” I side-stepped to allow him entry as I cleared my throat.

He sat down on a sofa and stretched his legs almost in a relaxed manner.

“Do you have s… something to say?” I stammered.

He looked at me.

“This house is yours as much as mine. Feel free to do whatever you want. Decorate, plant. Anything that makes you feel comfortable. We shall present ourselves to the outside world as a married couple, but we shall respect our boundaries in this house. While you have freedom to do whatever you want, please respect my boundaries. That’s all I ask.”

“It was already quite clear in the rule book you gave me. Don’t worry. I’ll adhere to it. Is that all?” I asked as I sat on my bed.

“About the clause in our marriage arrangement, I’ll give you three months to settle in. I believe that should be more than enough time for you to get used to the idea.”

I felt my cheeks heat up. “D.. Do you mean getting pregnant?”

“Yes.” He stood up. “I hope you’re not too bothered by the idea?” He placed his hands in his pockets. “Have a good night's rest.”

I looked as he closed the door behind him and finally let out a deep breath. Three months. I was expected to get ready to be impregnated in three months. I almost laughed at my life. Most people get pregnant through intimacy with their partners by making love, while I was being scheduled like a period date.

A knock sounded on my door. “Ma’am, I have brought up your dinner.”

“Come in.” I called out to her.

Rose walked in with a trolley of food and began arranging them on my bed.

“Is there anything else you need, ma’am?”

Yes, a book on how to plan to get pregnant.

“No. Please call me Elara.” I said, giving her a small smile.

“O.. okay.” She said hesitantly and then took her leave.

I looked at the food as I sat down to eat.

This was not the life I planned for myself.

I sat in front of my mirror as I brushed through my hair. Today was bright, and I had a feeling it was going to be good. It just felt right.  The sun was shining, and I could hear the water crashing against the rocks down by the lake.

I finished getting ready and made my way downstairs. I wasn’t going to work today. I didn’t normally go in on Saturdays.

I paused at the last step as I saw something I never thought I would. The maids were all bustling about like they were preparing for something.

I got off the last step and saw that they didn’t even notice me. They were all busy preparing. I yelped as I was almost hit by a trolley of flowers.

“What’s going on? Is an event happening?” I asked one of the maids who glanced at me, then walked away like she didn’t hear me.

I frowned as I walked around looking for Rose. I finally found her in the kitchen. A feast was being prepared.

Everyone turned to me when I entered, and hushed voices were heard.

Rose came up to me. “Ma’am! Is there something you need? You could have called for me. It’s not right for you to be here.”

“I told you to call me Elara. Is something happening? Everyone is so busy.” I said as I looked around.

“Oh. It’s all for Miss Celeste. She is coming today.”

My ears stood. A woman coming to this manor?

“C.. Celeste? Who is that?”

She bit her lip like she was considering what to say. “Um… she is Master Rooke’s… friend. They’ve been friends for a long time.”

“W.. why didn’t anyone tell me she was coming?”

Rose didn’t say anything as she kept quiet.

They didn’t respect me as the lady of the house. No one did. Heck, Cassian barely acknowledged my presence. I furrowed my brows. If Melissa were the one who got married to Cassian, would she be pushed around like this?

Definitely not. She would make sure everyone knew she was the lady of the house.

I, however, was far too timid. I turned to Rose.

“It’s alright. I’ll just have my breakfast in the garden and stay out of your way.”

I would spend the afternoon reading. It was not a big deal.

I barely read my book. I was consumed with peeking at what the maids were bringing in.

Flowers of different assortments. It was almost like a party.

I scoffed. Half of this hadn’t even been done for my wedding.

“Ma’am, wouldn’t you like to go freshen up? Miss Celeste is almost here.” A maid walked up to me.

“I am fine exactly as I am. Don’t tell me what to do.” I snapped at the girl.

She looked taken aback as she mumbled apologies and ran away.

Maybe that was a little rude, but my goodness. Celeste this, Celeste that. I was already tired of hearing that name. Was she all that?

I had been on one page for close to an hour. I was more focused on the door at this point.

I had even gone up to my room twice to try to dissipate my nerves. It didn’t work, and on those two occasions, I heard the maids whispering about Miss Celeste and how graceful and elegant she was.

When it finally felt like I would die from waiting, I heard a noise.

It was the sound of a car approaching. I guess she was finally here.

I walked to the transparent doors as I peeked from the side.

I was only seeing the maids line up, but there was no woman. I saw Cassian come down dressed in casual clothes. I hadn’t seen him all day, yet he came to meet his friend.

I continued watching as I bit my lip.

I heard a female laugh first before I saw her. A woman with her blonde hair in a bun and dressed in jeans and a top. She was breathtaking.

I gasped as I watched her run to Cassian, as she hugged him tightly and even ruffled his hair.

She pulled back and said something that made Cassian laugh. I had never heard him laugh before.

Who exactly was she? Were she and Cassian together?