Chapter 24
The grand dining room of the palace was as imposing as it was beautiful. Long, ornate tables stretched across the room, filled with platters of fruit, bread, and fine meats. The air smelled of fresh herbs and spices, a testament to the royal kitchen’s excellence. Yet, despite the splendor, there was an underlying tension in the air that made Azalea’s stomach churn as she stepped into the room.
Azalea entered with Vick, her steps hesitant but measured. She immediately noticed Federico and Maya at the far end of the room, standing together near the head of the table. They were deep in conversation, their heads closed as if nothing else in the room mattered. Azalea’s chest tightened at the sight, but she reminded herself of the nature of their marriage-this was a contract, not a love affair.
As she moved closer, her eyes met Queen Selena’s sharp gaze. The queen sat at the center of the table, her regal posture commanding attention. The moment she saw Azalea enter alone, her brows furrowed slightly.
“Azalea, my dear,” Queen Selena began in a voice that was both pleasant and edged with ice, “why didn’t you come with Federico? Last time I checked, Maya isn’t part of the immediate royal family.” Her gaze flickered briefly toward Maya, a subtle reminder of her status in the kingdom.
Maya, standing beside Federico, stiffened ever so slightly. The comment was a dagger aimed at her, but she maintained her composure, her face expressionless. She had no choice but to endure it-after all, her father was only an elder in the kingdom, not royalty.
Azalea, unsure how to respond, opened her mouth to speak, but Federico cut in before she could say anything.
“Selena,” Federico said, his voice sharp and cold, “mind your own business if you want a peaceful breakfast. We don’t need your comments ruining the mood.” His tone left no room for argument, and the tension in the room thickened.
Queen Selena’s eyes narrowed at him, but she didn’t press the matter further. Instead, she leaned back in her chair, her gaze shifting back to Azalea as if evaluating her.
Azalea could feel the weight of everyone’s eyes on her. She took her seat next to Federico, feeling more like an outsider than ever. Maya, still standing, gracefully took the seat on Federico’s other side, her demeanor calm, though Azalea noticed the faintest flicker of hurt in her eyes.
The clinking of silverware and the soft murmur of servants filled the silence for a moment. Azalea reached for a piece of bread, her hands trembling slightly as she tried to maintain her composure.
Just as she thought the worst of the tension might pass, a low chuckle echoed from the other end of the table. Leandro, one of Federico’s brothers, leaned back in his chair, a sly grin on his face. His eyes glinted with mischief as he looked between Federico and Azalea.
“Well, well, isn’t this a lovely sight,” Leandro said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “The happy couple, sitting in silence.”
Thomas, the youngest of the brothers, smirked beside him, clearly enjoying the tension. “You’d think after last night, they’d be a bit closer,” he added with a snicker, casting a glance at Azalea.
Azalea felt a flush rise in her cheeks, her embarrassment deepening. She hadn’t expected kindness from Federico’s brothers, but their open mockery made her feel like a spectacle. Her eyes darted to Federico, hoping he might say something, but he remained silent, his expression unreadable as he focused on his plate.
“Leave it, Leandro,” Federico finally muttered, his tone devoid of any real warning. It was clear he wasn’t interested in defending Azalea, and the brothers picked up on that immediately.
Leandro chuckled again, leaning forward slightly as he addressed Azalea directly this time. “So, how’s it feel being married to the coldest prince in the kingdom, hm? I imagine it’s not what you expected?”
Azalea’s grip on her fork tightened. She could feel everyone watching her-Queen Selena, Maya, and the other elders seated at the table. She didn’t know what to say, and any words she could muster felt like they’d only fuel the fire.
“I-” she began, but her voice faltered.
Federico looked up then, his cold eyes locking onto Leandro. “Enough,” he said, a hint of irritation creeping into his voice. “I don’t need you making things worse.”
Leandro raised his hands in mock surrender, grinning all the while. “Hey, I’m just making conversation.”
The tension continued to hang thick in the air, and Azalea wished she could disappear. She felt utterly out of place, surrounded by people who didn’t care about her, and with no one to turn to for support. Even Vick, standing by the door, looked on with sympathy but couldn’t intervene.
Suddenly, the door to the dining room opened, and King Marcos entered, flanked by a few royal guards. His presence was commanding, instantly drawing attention. The room fell silent as he took his seat at the head of the table.
“Good morning,” the king greeted, his deep voice resonating through the room. “I hope you’re all enjoying the start of this new day.”
There were murmurs of greeting from around the table, but the tension from earlier still lingered. Azalea kept her head down, hoping not to attract any more attention.
King Marcos’s gaze swept across the table, pausing briefly on Azalea before shifting to his sons. “I trust the marriage ceremony went well,” he said, his tone neutral but with an underlying weight that made it clear he was expecting a response.
Federico nodded curtly. “It went as expected, Father.”
The king didn’t press for more, but his sharp eyes moved from Federico to Azalea. “And you, Azalea, how are you finding your new place in the family?”
Azalea swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. She could feel all eyes on her once again. “It’s… an adjustment, Your Majesty,” she said quietly, choosing her words carefully. “But I will do my best to fulfill my duties.”
King Marcos regarded her for a long moment, then gave a slow nod. “I’m sure you will.”
Leandro snorted softly under his breath, but a sharp look from the king silenced him. Thomas, however, couldn’t resist muttering, “She’ll need more than luck to survive here.”
Azalea’s heart sank at his words, but she forced herself to remain calm. This was her life now, and she couldn’t afford to let their cruelty break her spirit. Not yet.
As the servants began serving breakfast, the room gradually filled with the sounds of plates clinking and soft murmurs of conversation. But for Azalea, the food was tasteless, and every glance from across the table felt like another jab at her already fragile sense of belonging.
Federico remained distant, barely acknowledging her presence as he conversed with Maya and the king. And though Maya tried to maintain her composure, Azalea couldn’t shake the feeling that beneath her calm exterior, there was a deep-seated rivalry brewing.
Breakfast continued, but the atmosphere was far from peaceful, and Azalea couldn’t help but wonder how long she could endure this hostile new world.