Chapter 19 - Picnic Day

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Cedric's gaze never left the view of the Empire, his mind in deep thoughts, his powers were stirring again, it has been like this for a week now, a week since he has been married to Sylvia.

He didn't know the trigger... normally it was a splint headache that caused small damage but now he did it unconsciously, while asleep.

He stared at his palm. He never bothered about his powers going berserk, he never needed to. So why now?

"Magnus" a deep voice came in, as a shadow formed into a wolf beside him.

"You seem unease," the wolf said.

"Unease?" Cedric said with a faint chuckle.

The wolf froze at the sound, nothing was ever good whenever his master was amused, he merely shakes where he was.

"Nothing makes me unease, Beowulf".

"O-Of course Magnus... forgive me, I was out of line," the wolf said with a bow of its head.

He got silence in return, Beowulf was still trembling.

"Forgive me, Magnus, the silver-haired" he began.

"What do you intend to do with her". he was curious, the silver-haired was indeed a special being, she was able to reshape the gem, which was magic, in all his life he knew that was hardly impossible.

"I felt your aura," he said once again.

"Your powers were stirring once again, wasn't it Magnus?"

"Yes," his answer was short and simple.

"Could the Silver-haired be the cause of it? he asked because he knew his master's powers were off ever since he married that maiden. But what could a mere silver-haired do to affect his master so?

At his question, Cedric's eyes narrowed.

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I groaned pulling the covers more to my body more, my head ached, I hardly got any sleep because of what happened last night, my mind was on high alert, I knew I won't be safe if I left myself vulnerable with Cedric, the sleep only came in this morning.

Throughout the remaining hours of the night, I didn't feel Cedric come to bed, so grateful about that. But deep down I was worried... ugh! why should I, he should go to hell for all I know.

I sat up staring at the empty room, I slapped my cheeks with my palm, a trigger to remind myself that I shouldn't worry about a heartless man, he once tried to get rid of me, he could do it again for all I know, from now on I had to be careful of him, what he displayed made him a dangerous man, even though he seemed calm, I knew he was more than that. I just couldn't wait for this one month to be over and then I can finally have my chambers, at least then I can be safe.

The doors badge open as Olivia walked in with a smile against her lips.

"Morning my lady, did you sleep well?" she asked with a slight bow.

"With the enemy, certainly not"

She frowned at my words.

"Did Lord Cedric do something again my lady?" she asked worriedly.

I was about to say something but then I remembered his threat, I instantly shut my mouth, forget about me, I wouldn't want Olivia to know, her punishment could be worse than mine.

"No nothing... you seem overjoyed this morning, what's the occasion," I said instantly changing the topic and she bought it.

A smile graced Olivia's lips.

"Well my lady, have you forgotten? today is picnic day at the Eternal Garden"

Great! I forget it was today, the day I will spend the entire day with Cedric and other ladies of the house, great just great, I had a feeling much was in store for me today, but my papa taught me to be brave, and brave I shall be and face the unknown.

"Then get me ready".

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After a few hours, I was bathed and dressed. I wore a sheath gown, yellow in color, along with a white hooded cloak on top, embodied with golden designs.

I watch through the mirror as Olivia did my hair, she was good at this, I figured she was trained specially for this. She packed my silver hair in a bun, decorated with golden spin. My face was already applied with makeup, I begged Olivia to do it lightly, anything to avoid the kind of makeup I did for my wedding, wouldn't wanna switch faces again.

The doors barge open as Mother walks in with her maids behind her.

I quickly rose to my feet giving mother a bow.

"Mother," I said.

"Let me look at you".

I raised my head.

"Perfection!" she said proudly.

Olivia handled my yellow gloves to me, helping me wear them, she also helped me put on my hood.

"Off you go dear, I expect you will be on your best behavior, you shall be in the midst of society, everything matters. The way you eat, walk, talk, and most importantly do not forget you are representing the Hartford house"

"Yes, mother," I said with a slight bow. These customs never do end, do they?

"Perfect"

☆☆☆

"Please tell me you're coming along"

"I would have loved to my lady, but servants aren't allowed in the Eternal Garden," Olivia said downheartedly.

"Oh" I just made a sound, it was bad enough I would be with Cedric and now I can't have Olivia with me.

The horse neighing broke our small discussion, I turned towards where the black carriage was,

In front was the company of five horses mounted by men in dark robes, you could still see the armor they wore, guards I presumed.

Cedric stood next to the carriage waiting for me.

Even in all the majestic handsomeness that radiated off him, I scowled.

The chauffeur approached us.

"My lady, Lord Cedric awaits you," he said with a bow of his head not meeting my eyes.

"I will see you when you get back my lady" Olivia said with a slight bow.

I forced a smile, descending the stairs, raising my gown a bit to enable me to walk, doing it elegantly.

I walked to the carriage not breaking my gaze with Cedric neither did he, I made sure I kept my scowl on, I had no intention of smiling at this man.

"Wife," he said as a wicked smirk pursed up his lips, my heart skipped a beat hearing the word wife rolled off his tongue, it cause a feeling to overwhelm my body in a way I couldn't understand, my stomach in butterflies, but I composed myself.

"Husband," I said with a slight bow before taking his hand he stretched out for me.

He helped me into the carriage.