Chapter 51

It's been three months after the death of Zinnia and Fox and the 8th month of my pregnancy, my pregnancy was almost due and I was getting more stress from it every passing day, my mood swings became worse to the extent that King Archer stays with me at least seven hours per day, My hunger for weird food became even worse I was gaining much weight and having lots of stretch marks around my belly and my laps, I noticed that King Archer no longer tries to get close to me that much because of his hatred for stretch marks.

I sat at my balcony as the cold refreshing breeze blew my hair around. I had tried my very best to calm and free my mind from stress and Lady Ann and her son's helped me with that.

I and Lady Ann became closer each passing day and her son's became free with me to the extent that they spend more time with me than their mother.

Lady Ann was so fast in moving on and forgetting her loving husband and I admired her for that knowing that I won't recover quickly if anything happens to Archer even if he sometimes acts cruel to me. Just last two weeks ago King Archer slapped me for harassing the slut that slept with him… Yeah King Archer was back to sleeping with sluts and that makes me even more jealous, being King Archer's wife made me strong knowing that he is the abusive type of man.

I heard my door crack open as king Archer walked in with a mixed facial expression. I stood from my chair walking a few steps towards him as he hadn't been to my room for two days and I hadn't seen him for two days.

He stretched his hands to me which I hesitantly took wondering why he wanted me to hold him, he gently pulled me along with him as I trailed behind him Wondering where he was taking me to.

It's been a long time since I came outside of the castle and I was quite happy that I was out but I was curious and wanted to know Where he planned to take me to.

We entered the chariot parked in front of us. I expected the chariot to leave the castle premises but instead it rode down… Yeah the castle was like a mini kingdom and I have not seen the end of the castle before.

We rode down until the chariot stopped in front of an opened little gate, King Archer helped me down, leading me into the entrance. It was a garden! A beautiful sight to behold, it looked like a mini paradise. I am sure there are lots of beautiful places in the castle that I haven't seen.

"Welcome to our love garden" King Archer said, leading me in as I raised my eyes at him.

"Love garden!?" I muttered staring around the beautiful garden with beautifully trimmed Ornamentals! Flowers that existed but are rare.

The natural smell swept past my nose giving that refreshing feeling…

"Yes, This a garden for just both of us no one has been in here apart from the Gardener's that take care of this place"

I felt so special hearing that, hearing that from him made me feel like he cares for me even if he maltreats me sometimes.

"I have something to show you," he said, leading me inside, which was more beautiful than the entrance. There were more daffodils and roses there than the entrance, which has many sun flowers, hibiscuses and others.

I sighted the mini table with different species of fruits and juice. I couldn't wait to sit and have them all, I hurried over and sat as I poured out some fruit juice to my glass cup.

After having almost all the fruits while King Archer watched me sipping his liquor, I was finally done and was now focused on the fruit juice.

"You're eight months gone already Pearl…" King Archer started as I nodded.

"I can't wait to get this load out of me, I am so tired of it and can't wait to see my flat belly" I said in a frown as he smiled this time a genuine smile that reflected on his eyes.

"I know Pearl and I also know that you haven't forgiven me for how all this happened and for your parents death but I am sure that one day you will learn to forget it" he said rubbing my palms.

He sounded so sure that I will forgive him one day and truth be told I have forgiven him but will never forget, it would be quite hard for me to forget how he ruined my innocent life.

"Do you care for me, do you love me?" I found myself asking as he went mute for some seconds staring at me, maybe amazed that I could ask that.

"Yes Pearl, I Love and care for you because you're my father's choice and you have my heir inside of you" he said as I frowned.

"Don't you love me for me? I mean do you love me just because your father chose me?" I asked feeling bittered and curiously waiting for his reply, the look on his face made it clear that he was confused and couldn't tell his feelings for me.

I felt tears stream down my cheeks which I wiped off immediately…

"Please, I want to leave here.." I said standing up

"Pearl are you okay? We came here to have a good couple time. Why do you want to cut it short" he asked, trailing behind me.

"Because I am tired and want to be alone!" I yelled as I entered the chariot which was still waiting outside.

I ain't supposed to be angry because Archer rejected me, by the way my marriage with him was never for love. I am his unfortunate Betroth so why am I expecting a happy ever after with him? … I feel so rejected.

"Pearl stop this, I have a lot to say to you…" He said as the chariot started moving.

"You have said enough Archer, Leave me alone!" I yelled as he kept mute.

The rest of the ride was quiet until we got back to the castle.

I got inside my room to see Sage arranging a dress on my bed. My head was too full to take notice of the dress as I lay curling myself up on my bed trying hard not to cry.

"My Queen, is everything okay?" Sage asked as I sighed, turning away from her.

"Sage I am okay, if you're done arranging the dress please leave my room I really would appreciate staying alone" I said as tears streamed down my cheeks.

I hate him so much! Just when I thought we are becoming closer as a couple, he disappointed me by letting me know that he doesn't have feelings for me.

"My queen tomorrow is your ritual with the queens of seven kingdoms" Sage said as my mind raced back to what she told me about the ritual and how I will be given a difficult task even with my very big baby bump all to make me strong and ready for child delivery.

Hence King Archer can help if he wishes as Sage said, will he help me out? I shouldn't put much hope on him because he doesn't love me and definitely would want me to die.

It is gonna happen tomorrow! This seems so fast to me. I mean Sage just told me about it some months ago and here comes the day!… I don't think I am ready to face whatever it is, I feel like it would hurt me.

"And yes my Queen, the Seven Queen's already arrived" Sage said as the door opened and closed back, I turned knowing that I was finally alone in my room.

Am I ready for this ritual?…

I spent my whole day in thoughts and anger and I did my very best to avoid everyone including Lady Ann in order not to transfer aggression to her, I couldn't eat the whole day Sage would bring my meal and come back to see it untouched I could tell how worried she was but she didn't dare talk to me as I have told her that I didn't want to talk to anyone.

All this while I expected King Archer to come talk me to eating but he never came I felt so rejected and hated him.

"Queen Pearl, what do you think you're doing to yourself!? You are hurting yourself and the baby you haven't eaten the whole day and it isn't good for your health especially as you're almost due" Lady Ann said sitting beside me as I lay facing the wall. "You should try eating this one, it's seafood and it would really do a lot in your body, '' Lady Ann said as I sighed, sitting up facing the food that surprisingly wasn't attractive to me knowing how much I loved crabs and all.

"You have been crying all day Pearl! Look how red and swollen your eyes are, I don't think you're ready for this ritual Pearl… Please tell me what your problem is" she asked worriedly as I sucked my teeth leaning towards my meal.

"I don't think I want to eat again, it's already past midnight" I said as I made to lay down when Lady Ann held me back up.

"No Pearl you have to eat please, if you don't like the seafood I can personally make you something simple and healthy to eat" She said as I nodded, liking the sound of her Making my food.

"Alright then, I will be right back.."

It was finally the day for my ritual and I still haven't seen King Archer. He still hasn't shown up to at least cheer me up and assure me that I can do whatever task I will be given as every good husband would do.

I quietly sat facing the mirror as I stared at the reflection of the maids rubbing red paints on my body I hated my look on the attire too, a black jumpsuit that looked more like my slave wear at Prussiate.

"My queen please don't think too much about this, if other Queens can go through this and survive whatever task they gave to them then you can even do better, I have high faith in you my Queen" Sage assured as a smile curved my lips.

She is right anyways, I have Always been the strong Pearl whom everyone in the kingdom looks up to when they have problems. I was never a weakling and I will never be.

Just after Sage's words to me, seven women barged into the room looking dangerous in their outfits that almost looked like mine. I was suddenly scared by the way they stared at me as two women out of them walked over to me pulling me roughly out of the room.