Chapter 7

A week has passed since Dario left.

Apple sat in the confinements of her room; her trembling hands tightly squeezed the letter Dario sent her.

She needed to find the courage to read the letter, but somehow; it hurts too much.

Anastacia enters the room and jumps onto her bed. “Hey!” she says with a huge grin. “Apple? Earth to Apple!”

“Huh?” Apple asks as she looks at Anastacia with a frown.

“You’re completely in a daze. And your fingertips are white from holding onto that letter. Is everything okay? Did he write that?”

“Yes. But I’m too afraid to read it.”

“Why?”

“What if something happened? What if he found someone else?”

“Alpha King? Find someone else? Are we talking about the same man who thinks marshmallows are teddy bears?” Apple flashes Anastacia a nervous smile. “Exactly. So, we’re reading it.” Anastacia grabs the page from Apple and slowly paces around the room. “My dearest Apple,”

I hope you’re doing well. Though I wish to be with you, in our room.

I miss you.

There’s this terrible ache that rumbles within my heart.

I wish this meeting would end as soon as possible, but it seems to be the longest process as most of the councilmen are old and are malfunctioning.

I’m writing this letter to let you know that as soon as I come back, we’ll be getting married. I’ve asked Amadeo to introduce you to a few of the kingdom’s people. You must be tired of sitting in that room, cooped up and drained. Please be patient, as this is also a time for us to be sober minded for when we’ll be married, I don’t want you to marry me if I’m a mess. Because I am a mess, a terrible one, and I don’t want you to be caught up in my chaos.

I miss you, my Apple.

I didn’t want to say it when I came to greet you because I hate seeing you cry. I hate seeing you in distress. You’re too beautiful to be in distress. You’re too precious.

I heard Anastacia’s treating you well. Amadeo said you two are getting along just well. Apparently, she’s been training you. He didn’t give me any details though, just said you’re doing good. I’m glad that you’re independent without me, I don’t want your life revolving around mine.

“It stops there.” Anastacia says with a frown as she hands the curt letter back to Apple. “He’s neutral, but it’s Alpha King we’re talking about. The next one will probably be better.”

“He wants to marry me?” Apple asks as her brows suddenly pull together.

“Well, obviously, Apple. He wants you to be his in every single way, and he will make you his even if it means walking through fire.”

Apple nods and looks at the letter in her hands. The next one will be better; she reassures herself with a smile tugging in the corners of her lips.

.

Apple silently strode next to Amadeo and Anastacia. They silently made their way down the wide stairs, multiple guards standing on either side of the staircase. “Are they not cold?” Anastacia gapes at Apple who caringly glances at each of the guards as they pass them.

“It’s their job, they vowed to protect this kingdom even if it means dying at the hands of this kingdom.”

“That’s harsh. I hope they won’t die.”

“They will not, My Queen.” Amadeo murmurs as he opens the door for the two ladies who trail behind him. They slide into the sleek limo and Apple glances out the window. “Is everything okay, My Queen? If you’re uncomfortable with leaving the castle, we can go back.”

“No. I’m fine. I don’t want you to address me as my queen.”

“Alpha King would murder me if I disrespect his better half.”

“It’s an order.” Apple says dryly and Amadeo nods unwillingly.

“Of course, My- I mean, Miss Apple. Is that better?” Apple nods.

Anastacia playfully bumps her shoulder into Apple’s arm. “I love the fire, My Queen.” She says with a bow causing Apple to laugh.

“I’m not like that, Amadeo. I’m your queen, but I’m also your friend, and I don’t entirely admire the concept of us being formal.”

“I understand, Miss Apple. Whichever you prefer, I respect your wishes.”

Among the commoners, Apple felt safe.

She felt at peace.

She could openly talk to the people, or as Anastacia would put it- her people. “And how old are you?” she asks a young boy named Elisa. She crouches down to his level, her hands on her thighs and a huge grin spread across her face.

“Six,” Elisa answers. He puts his small palm on Apple’s cheek. “You’re beautiful, Queen Apple.”

“How about we make a deal,” Apple says. “But it’s a secret.” The young boy nods, his eyes glisten with excitement. “How about you call me Apple, and I’ll buy you a chocolate.”

“Apple,” he says and a cute grin sprawls onto his face. He puts his hand on his hips. “Beautiful, Apple.”

.

“You’re amazing!” Anastacia exclaims loudly as they enter their room. She looks at her husband who silently accompanies them. “Amadeo, please tell this goddess of a creature that she’s absolutely good at this.”

“I should leave.” Amadeo says as he looks around their dirty, unorganized room.

“Oh please, you’re being a like a baby. You know I’m a bit messy at times.”

“A bit?” Amadeo questions as he looks around the room with his eyebrow cocked.

“That’s not the subject of this conversation, Amadeo. The subject is our queen who just showed us how capable she is of ruling this kingdom beside her soulmate.”

“Slow down, Ana. She just spoke to a few people and sang for them. Which we never knew she could do… but anyway, you need to slow down. There is still a lot to do before she is capable of ruling this kingdom.”

“You’re scared, aren’t you?”

“Scared of what exactly? I’m a thirty-three-year-old grown man for heaven’s sake. What could I possibly fear?”

“You’re scared she’ll take up Alpha King’s time. You’re scared he’ll not care for you like he does now.”

“You guys do realise I’m still in the room, right?”

“Not now, Apple. I need to figure out why my husband is acting like a fairy that lost her wings.”

“I’m leaving,” Amadeo mumbles, but is stopped by Anastacia who grasps his wrist.

“I cannot believe you.”

“Let go.” Amadeo says in a warning tone and Anastacia lets go of his wrist as if it burns her.

“This is so like you, Amadeo, this is what you always do, right! You always run away from your problems, you always run away from me!” Amadeo hurriedly runs out of the room and slams the door shut behind him. “I’m sorry you had to see that, Apple. It’s just… ugh! He’s so freaking frustrating sometimes.”

“You want a hug?” Apple asks as she opens her arms. Anastacia nods and walks into Apple’s warm embrace. “You’ll be fine.”

Apple felt different.

She felt energized.

But she still missed Dario and thinking about him made her sad. So, she shut him out of her mind and focussed on Anastacia.

A painful month passed since the king left.

Apple stood in her window, her eyes wandering over the thick, bushy forest that stretched throughout the castle’s ground.

Anastacia exits the bathroom. She wipes her mouth with a sigh.

“You’re pregnant, Ana.”

“How would you know?” she asks angrily and leaves. The door opens again, and Apple turns around.

“Amadeo,” she greets.

“Miss Apple, this came for you today,” he hands her the letter and a huge pink box. “Alpha King sent it.”

“Thank you, Amadeo.” She takes the items from his hands and plops onto her bed. “You may leave, Amadeo.” Amadeo nods and leaves Apple wrapped in her chaotic thoughts. She hurriedly opens the letter.

My dearest Apple,

I’ll see you within the next week.

I wish for you to wear the following.

Apple refrains from rolling her eyes as she looks at the huge page with three lines written on them. She opens the box and smiles when she sees a black shirt neatly folded and placed inside with a necklace on top. The necklace gleamed between her fingers as she touched it in awe.

Apple takes the shirt out of the box and small, white page falls in her lap.

The necklace symbolises the half moon that shone in the sky when we met. I hope you like it, My Apple.