Chapter 31 - Plan

Later on, I went back for a bath, and thank the goodness he wasn't there, the shocking realization still struck me, we shared a bathhouse and I had no idea until now, I guess our timing just met at a really bad time.

I was still flushed about what happened and more the idea of him almost seeing me completely naked, and what's worst I can't get the image of his backside off my head, it was like an imprint to my brain I couldn't remove.

The sinful feeling I felt when he touched my waist, I wanted him to touch me more, I wanted it so bad that I couldn't recognize myself anymore.

I should snap out of it, I shouldn't be feeling this way for this man, he was dangerous just like Cora said, he had tried to get rid of me once, he could do it again.

I frowned at my look at the mirror, It's high time I snapped out of this lustful feeling towards him, for all I could know he could be playing me, I shouldn't believe his words or any mysterious affections he showed.

I should start using my head instead of my instinct, I should start heeding Cora's words, but can I trust what she said? I shook my head, I should because Cedric has already proven how dangerous he can be when he tried to get rid of me just a few days after our marriage.

Olivia was done setting my grown, it was an empire waist yellow gown, sleeveless, along with a white see through Kimono jacket designed with yellow flowers. My silver hair packed but some let down to fall in curls.

I had to think of something to stay clear of Cedric... what should I do though? There was no way a wife and can stay away from her husband in the Empire, especially newly wedded, I should think of something, there should be a way and then a thought found me.

That's it! Cedric mentioned once about having separate chambers after one month of marriage, it was allowed in the Empire, If I can just find a way to hasten that process, yes that should do the trick.

And Mother was gonna be the key in making this work if I can just convince her but first I had to find out if she knew about what happened in the Eternal Garden.

"Olivia"

"Yes, my lady"

"Let's go see Mother"

☆☆☆

On our way, I also took the liberty of asking Olivia if she heard any rumor but she said she didn't which was strange, rumor was bound to spread in the Empire, then why haven't the rumor of me breaking the laws come up? Something was odd, I had to fish it out.

☆☆☆

Western Wing

The door barge opens with the help of the guards as I strolled into the hall, coming in view of Mother sitting at the dining set.

She indulged herself in some printed papers not taking a bite of any food on the table.

I gulped walking towards her.

"Mother" I greeted bowing slightly.

"I apologized for not seeing you yesterday right after I returned from the Eternal Garden, I was so tired," I said trying my best to sound sorry.

Mother gave a heavy sigh, my gaze drifting to her instantly, uh-oh that can't be good, right?

She instantly stashed the paper together.

"Nothing interesting in society, how boring" she states facing me.

"Oh dear you're here, have a seat and eat".

I gulped as I did.

"What do you mean by nothing interesting in society, you mean like a rumor or..."

Her gaze drifts to me.

"Rumor, whatever does rumor have to do with news, Sylvia?"

"Nothing Mother," I said quickly looking away as I grabbed my cutlery.

"Well news does come from rumor but not all the time, it could be registered state affairs, I was hoping to get something interesting in the day to day activities"

So she didn't hear any rumor then, I took a deep breath of relief I didn't know I was holding. But hold on, that rumor was bound to be spread about how unkempt I was, this was society we were talking about, according to mother they were overly sensitive, and how come what happened was gone like the wind? I couldn't wrap my head around it.

"Ha Cedric, there you are"

I froze at Mother's voice, I gasp turning seeing Cedric approaching the table, I quickly looked away, Instantly remembering what happened in the bathhouse, my cheeks flushed.

"Mother," Cedric said in his usual cold tone as he took a sit.

"I was thinking you weren't joining us, I thought you were having a meeting with the ambassadors?"

"It was canceled"

"I see"

Suddenly I felt his gaze on me, ugh why does he like staring!

"Sylvia aren't you forgetting something?".

I turned to Mother, she raised an eyebrow, Oh great... I was so eager not to meet gazes with him, I forgot.

My gaze finally met Cedric's, his unreadable look on, was this the same Cedric that touched me in the bathhouse? The one who said words with confusion? Okay he really had a constant change of mood.

"Husband," I said with a bow.

He said nothing as he took a cup of water bringing it to his lips, not taking his gaze off me as he slurp on it.

The movement of his throat was somewhat alluring? I quickly looked away, as I cleared my throat, I suddenly felt hot again but I ignored the feeling,

Mother didn't seem to notice anything.

"Cedric hope you enjoyed your time with Sylvia at the Eternal Garden?"

Ugh, why did she have to bring it up?

Cedric just made a hmm sound, taking his cutlery.

So he doesn't wanna talk about it then, I wonder why, I was the one who did something wrong.

"I suppose it went well," Mother said.

Sometimes I wondered how she coped with her son acting so cold, as a mother I'm sure it should hurt her, but the way she acts, like it was a casual thing from Cedric, was he always like this?

Forget that... the main reason you're here, I didn't mind if Cedric was around, It only makes it interesting.

"Mother there's something I need to talk about"