13

ARTEMISIA

“Where are we going?” I asked for the umpteenth time, staring at Sin.

Whether he heard me or not, he didn't act like it. Rather, he went on dragging the luggage he had carried yesterday, including mine. He dumped them at the back of his car and walked to the driver's side.

Since I woke up, I had noticed the change in his demeanour. But, he didn't tell me what was going on with him. Instead, he had been ordering me about to get ready.

“Are you coming in or not?” He asked, turning on the ignition.

“Where are we going?” I asked again. “You’ve barely answered any of my questions since morning.”

“That is because I got no answer to your questions.” He said, nudging the door open for me.

Even though he had no answer to my questions, at least he had the courtesy of opening the car for me.

I slid into the car and let out a sigh.

“You know, it's not nice ignoring questions when being asked,” I mumbled, twirling the gold band on my ring finger.

“I must say, your questions are rather unreasonable. So, I have no answer to any of them.”

"You are so rude," I mumbled.

Sin didn't reply but I knew he heard me because he chuckled. He backed out of the driveway. His eyes were on the road but occasionally, I felt them on me.

Sighing, I relaxed into the seat whilst staring at the trees as we passed on the lonesome road.

I yawned as I became drowsy. Aside from what we had said to each other back at the house before the journey started, Sin hadn't uttered any word.

I wasn't bothered to say anything to him either. I wanted us to get to our destination so I could stretch out my aching limbs.

Several hours later, I stepped down from the car, stretched out my sore limbs, before assessing my new surroundings.

It was a grand building that looked like a palace and it wasn't like anything I had seen before. It appeared more like one of the 'palaces' I had often pictured in my mind whilst daydreaming. The place I believed that I would live in one day.

Now, I believe dreams do come true. I had gotten the palace I wished for.

Only that, the prince in front of me was nothing but an obnoxious jerk.

“You can get a tour later. You need to be indoors right now.” Sin said, glancing around. Then he tugged my hands.

I shivered as I felt a jolt at the contact.

I heard him inhale sharply, before flinging my hands off like he was being burnt by a hot potato.

"Move in." He grunted whilst stepping aside for me.

"Why?" I inquired, creasing my brows.

I didn't understand why he wanted me to walk in front of him all of a sudden because he had mentioned the two centimetres distances away from each other's rules yesterday. He even said something similar as soon as I woke up.

It was annoying because he had treated me like a plague.

But, he had broken the rules by gripping my hand and walking side by side with me.

"Why what?" He questioned back.

"I don't want you walking at my back."

I shrugged, rolling my eyes whilst walking towards the entrance of the palace. I heard him exhale once more but I ignored it.

Walking towards the end of the hall, I pushed a door that led to a wide opening. My eyes widened as I stared back at six pairs of eyes that bored into mine.

I had thought everyone would be perhaps asleep by now since it was quiet and dark outside.

Rather, the inside was quite lively, contrary to what the outside exuded.

I noticed Sin's mother first. Also, she was the only familiar face in the room since I had seen her at the wedding.

"Welcome, dearest." She beamed.

I smiled back whilst bowing slightly. She walked up to me and pulled me into a tight embrace.

"You are even lovelier than the first time I met you."

I don't know if she was enthusiastic to see me or maybe she was only acting. Since I noticed she didn't look like she was pleased with her son being with me on the altar at the cathedral.

"Hello." A cool voice called out.

I halted in my tracks whilst assessing him.

He tilted his square-shaped face and a smirk appeared on it. His hazel eyes twinkled as he stared back at me. He didn't look anything like Sin, but I felt they were related.

"Laurent."

I turned to gaze at Sin who had appeared at my back.

Laurent's smile expanded and he nodded his head in acknowledgement.

"Is this your new toy?" He chuckled.

What?!

"Laurant!" Sin's mother exclaimed, glaring. "That is a rude thing to say to her."

I turned to Sin who was now gripping my hand. His nostrils flared and a vein ticked in his jaw as he glared at Laurent. "Meet my lovely luna, Artemisia." He grunted, wrapping his arms around me.

Luna?

I couldn't recall where I had heard that name from and I wonder why he preferred referring to me in that way instead of my name. Since yesterday, he introduced me in that way to everyone he knew.

I didn't mind the name because I liked how it sounded.

However, I found everyone in this hall acting strange. Maybe because I was a stranger. I couldn't push the thought of them being weird away from my head.

Every second, each time I encountered someone new, I noticed Sin would be at my side even if he was not with me or anywhere around me before.

Moreover, I sensed his eyes on me as well and because of it, I tripped on my feet twice.

He didn't even look apologetic when I glanced at him. Rather, a smirk that looked more like a gloat would appear on his freakishly handsome face.