Chapter 603
JASMINE’S POV
The moment I left the Queen’s study, I took in an intense breath.
I was overwhelmed by the sheer betrayal of it all.
He had claimed he would let me choose, but he had decided for me.
Just when I had assumed everything was getting better.
When I assumed things were finally going to be fine.
I took in a deep breath.
I wanted nothing to do with him anymore.
I was going to find my uncle and my mother’s family and leave all these people.
I would finally find my family.
That was what mattered.
Firstly, I was going to find the siren, Pearl.
From the little information I had gathered from her, I needed to know more.
Especially since I had seen that woman in my dream.
She came flashing to me.
The way she had sung the song.
The way she had called me by my name.
Was that my mother?
It had to be.
Who else had red hair?
From there, I would find Otto and begin trying to fix all the puzzles on the map he had so badly looked for.
I turned around and remembered that Hildegard was supposed to be waiting for me.
“Where is Lady Hildegard?” I asked.
“She was called aside.” One of the guards replied. “But I’m sure she would return.”
I swallowed and nodded before heading out on my way.
It was good, I didn’t even get to meet her.
How was I going to explain my whereabouts?
I went down the hallway and followed the narrow steps down to the gardens.
I almost crashed into someone at a bend.
“I’m so sorry.” I apologized.
To my horror, it was none other than the King himself.
I subconsciously took two steps back.
“Your majesty,” I said, looking down at my feet.
I could feel his energy.
I hadn’t been in this much proximity since I had caught him cheating on the Queen.
“Look at me!” He ordered.
I did as I was asked, and I stared into the eyes of the man who lied to his wife.
Who betrayed her by sleeping with his sister-in-law?
It was terrible.
“I would have never wanted you here.” He began. “If it weren’t for my wife.”
His green eyes disgustingly glared at me.
Like I wasn’t worth even looking at.
“You’re mannerless.” He began. “And you’re a latent wolf. Everywhere you go, you attract something bad. Your parents, your pack.”
I was nothing to his harsh accusations.
“You will not bring your ill luck to my family.” He pointed a warning finger at me. “Do you understand me?!”
I nodded. “Yes, your majesty.”
I wondered when he was going to bring up what I had seen.
“You will have to earn your place here. Nothing is free. The moment I get one complaint about your behavior, you are out. Do you understand me?” He hissed.
“Yes, your majesty,” I replied dutifully.
At that moment, none other than Princess Auburn came.
She had a nasty and mischievous smile on her face.
“Grandpa.” She said in a false tone as she held his arm. “You shouldn’t be mad at her. She is a less fortunate wolf. I mean unshifted.”
He looked at me. “I’m telling you this, girl. Suppose it weren’t for my family. You would have never been accepted here!”
“One complaint! Just one!” He warned me. “Now get out!”
I curtseyed and hurried out of his way.
I was relieved to be away from him.
He terrified me.
And I wondered why he never mentioned what I had seen.
He had acted like it never happened.
I knew Auburn’s defense wasn’t genuine.
I knew she didn’t like me, and I wanted to avoid her.
I didn’t want another Anna situation.
She was the least of my problems.
I had to find my way home.
I went out to the gardens and made sure no one was following me.
The moment I saw the coast was precise, I went on my way.
In about ten minutes, I had found the lake.
“Pearl!” I called out. “Pearl.”
But there was no answer.
The lake was still, with not a single ripple in sight.
“Pearl, please come out!” I begged. “I need to speak to you. It’s Jasmine.”
But she didn’t.
I chewed on my bottom lip, wondering if I had put her in trouble.
Or perhaps she didn’t want to see me anymore.
I picked up a rock and flung it into the water.
There was no response.
I itched the back of my hair and angrily left.
I was frustrated!
As I stormed back towards the castle in a state of anger, I saw Auburn glare at me.
“Good goddess.” She gasped.
“How dirty and mannerless you are.” She said to me, and a giggle erupted amongst her ring of friends. “Chewing your fingers. So dirty. Some people should never rub their shoulders around others.”
I stopped short, and my eyes filled with venomous anger. I looked at her.
“What do you want to do?” She taunted. “Hit me?”
I was brewing with so much anger when all of a sudden, Auburn started to sniff.
She and the other girls joined.
“What is that?” Auburn asked.
“Fire!” A she-wolf screamed.
To my surprise, the tail of her dress was on fire.
Auburn screamed and bounced around while her girls tried to put it off.
“Put it off! Do something! You idiots! Someone do something!” She screamed.
Some guards came running towards them.
One of her minions snatched a jar from a servant and poured the liquid on Auburn.
It did the work, except she was now drenched in purple liquid.
There was a still silence.
Auburn screamed.
The girl started apologizing.
I started laughing.
Auburn glared at me, her eyelashes wet with purple liquid.
“You STUPID girl!” She screamed at me. “You did this!”
I raised a brow. “How?”
She stomped her feet and ran off, crying, with her girls trooping right behind her.
I laughed so well and I shed a tear.
It was the first time I had laughed today.