The Beta’s Regret

(Eden's Pov)

"I like the sound of that." Pison whispered with a plastered smug grin across his face. I could see that the public display of my intentions had given him the final conviction he wanted. However, that effect of my words on others was different.

I shivered in disgust as my skin rubbed against Pison. The moment was torture, and I was tempted to run away and scrub my skin clean of Pison's repulsive scent.

The scent of a monster. Rotten and evil.

The people around us looked at me with hate filled eyes. Eyes that spoke about their pain and disappointment in me. I had dashed their hopes by siding with Pison, and acting like I liked him...

They didn't say a word, but their eyes said it all. That I was a traitor. My throat tightened as I forced down the tears that threatened to spill

I couldn't bear it, the looks of despair.

I felt guilt weighing on me but I knew I had no other choice. This was the only option.noveldrama

I glanced at them, my eyes pleading for them to understand but they refuse to see it. They couldn't see past the pretense I had to put up to save everyone. How could they see through it when Pison himself seemed to believe everything I said. They saw me as their enemy now.

I was now a stranger to my own people.

All I wanted to do at the moment was to grab Pison by the neck and squeeze the life out of him for all he had done. I wanted so badly to tear him apart that it pained me holding myself back from doing exactly what I wanted.

Pison's smile got wider as he faced his warriors.

"Release them." He commanded. That order sent an uproar of shock amongst the people. "From now on, Eden's parents are to be treated like royals." He said.

The cries of disbelief got louder and I looked away from the people's responses.

Pison wasn't making this any easier for me.

His warriors hesitated, unsure if Pison was in his right senses. But knowing Pison would possibly have their neck next if they disobeyed, they turned to my parents and roughly pulled them free of the silver chains that bond their hands together. Lord Shevek winced, rubbing his wrist slightly as it began to heal.

My mother looked pale, her breaths heavier as she struggled to hold herself together.

What had Pison done to my parents?

My mind was still occupied with these thoughts when a slight commotion at the entrance of the hall caught our attention.

I looked up and frowned when I saw Alice along with a few warriors match into the hall. They came to a stop before Pison and I.

Memories of the kind of relationship Alice and I once shared flooded my memory and I felt my heart grow heavy at what had become of us.

We were nothing but sworn enemies.

Alice watched me, and I thought I

saw a flash of guilt on her face before her eyes flicked to the point where I held Pison intimately, and felt her anger surge at what she saw Alice looked at me in disgust, before she looked back at Rison.

Maybe I was wrong. How could someone as wicked as she was feel guilty?

"Pison." She said, the tone of her voice came out too intimately and a little harsh.

I raised a brow in surprise. Pison? Wasn't that a little too personal?

I glanced at Pison. I could see the muscle on his jaw ticked furiously. His eyes hardened..

"Alice." He said coldly. "You will address me properly or I will have you head next hanging on a stake."

Alice bowed slightly, visibly shaken as she took a step back. "I'm sorry, your highness." She said,

Pison growled softly and pulled me

closer to him. "I have made my choice Eden will be queen. She will be in charge of the palace affairs and the people's wellbeing

Alice's head shot up. "What?" Her head whipped my way. "Her?" she whispered and looked Pison in the eyes. "You promised me the throne." Pison opened his palm in a nonchalant shrug. "Did I?"

Alice balled her fists. "You did."

Pison sighed. "I have made my decision. For you, you will continue to be my mistress, keep me company in bed and I will put you in charge of other duties so you can be of help to the queen."

Alice made no further argument, but I could see that she was trying hard to hold herself back.

Pison carefully pulled his arm away from mine, and nudged me forward with his palm.

"I want you to lead Eden to a royal room. Remember she is going to be your future Queen. Is that clear?"

Alice nodded. "Yes, your highness."

Pison waves us away. "Go now."

Alice straightened up and stood aside for me to walk forward.

I moved, every step I took felt heavy and painful. I followed Alice and her warriors out of the hall into the inner parts of the palace.

The minute we were out of sight and far away from the people, Pison and Alice' warriors...

Alice turned on me and suddenly grabbed my throat with eyes deep with hatred.