“You know,” he mutters, “I’m not doing this to help you.”
I glance up at him, then let my lips curl into something that isn’t quite a smile. “Of course not,” I say softly. “This is just a transaction, isn’t it? And I have made my deposit.”
A flicker of something crosses his golden eyes…annoyance?
And then-
“Raiden?….Raiden, where are you? Ah!”
The voice is akin to nails on a chalkboard to me. But for him, it is clear–a sweet, trembling little thing, manufactured to perfection.
I needn’t turn to know who the voice belongs to.
Lila stumbles into view, eyes wide, a delicate hand clutching at the fabric of her dress. And then, just on cue, she falls.
Raiden moves instinctively, catching her before she can hit the ground. His hands settle on her arms. He’s concerned, perhaps worried.
“Lila!” he soothes, his voice softer than I’d heard all evening.
Silently, I watch, unmoving. This is ammunition I can use, as painful as it is to witness. The scene plays out before me as it always has.
“Oh, Raiden,” she breathes heavily, blinking up at him, eyes glistening. “I–I was looking everywhere for you. I felt so alone, I couldn’t breathe, then… then I…”
Raiden exhales. He looks guilty.
“You should have stayed at the table.”
“I… I wanted to, but my injuries… they still haven’t fully healed.”
Lila looks me square in the eye. She sniffles. “It’s why I fell. Ever since Siena pushed me, I-”
A masterstroke.
Truly, well played.
“I know how hard this whole ordeal has been, Lila. You’ve been so strong.”
I see Raiden strokes her face gently, never breaking eye contact. He says, “I will compensate you for your trouble.”
Lila shakes her head. “I… I don’t want attention, Raiden, or compensation. You already have so much on your plate. I just need you to stay with me, please, Raiden. Don’t leave me.”
9/3
08:34 Sun, 20 Apr
Chapter 9
I stand to the side, barely stopping myself from gagging.
Raiden hesitates.
63%
He wants to take her away. Comfort her privately. But I am here. His wife. The woman the world, and most importantly, the press, recognizes as their sovereign.
I know exactly what he’s hesitating about–because if I were the Siena of the past, I would have torn that bitch apart in a fit of rage.
But the Siena I am now…I offer nothing more than kind eyes and a smile. Not forced, not bitter. Just simple, effortless.
I gentlely says, “Go ahead. You’d better care for her, Raiden. She deserves no less from our Great King.”
“Don’t forget to transfer the money to my account. Remember it – one million dollars per day?
Silence from them both. Raiden blinks.
The Alpha King had been caught off guard.
