Love and Chaos Series
The Alpha King’s Ugly Bride Chapter 23

The door to Mia's Chambers opened and Toni, a maid much older than Lydia, stepped into the room.

Mia was before the dressing mirror putting on her robe. She tied its rope around it before turning around to acknowledge Toni's presence. Since her return three days ago, a few things have changed. Lydia was no longer her maid, she was dismissed from the palace the day after her return. When Mia confronted Xavier about it, he told her straight away that Lydia was disloyal and not trustworthy.

Mia moved to plead on her behalf, stating that the young maid had no hand in her escape and neither did she know about it. But he didn't listen. When she persisted, he snapped and told her he needed people he could trust to do their jobs. Lydia wasn't one of them, according to him. With a sad and broken heart; she said goodbye to her maid.

There was nothing more she could do. She didn't want to anger the alpha king any further. They had made an agreement, and she needed to be his 'good' wife and queen. Submissiveness was a part of being a good wife.

Toni replaced Lydia as her maid, and just like Lydia, she was also an omega werewolf. Mia, however, didn't feel the connection with Toni like she did with Lydia. There was something safe about Lydia, something she could trust, and she missed her every day. She hadn't found that in Toni yet.

Despite wanting Lydia back, she didn't want to make Toni's life miserable because of it. She was also a replacement for Ariel and didn't like the ill-treatment she received because of it. She had done her best to adjust to the change and make the best of it. "Your grace, breakfast is ready," the blonde-haired maid announced a small smile on her face.

It was the first time she had seen a smile on the maid's face, and it looked good.

Mia climbed down the stairs. Her hand lifted her robe so she wouldn't trip and fall off the stair as Toni led the way to the dining hall.

She saw Edward already seated and his breakfast before him. Xavier sat on his left-hand side, having a narrowed look on his face. Perhaps he was tired of waiting for her arrival.

His head lifted and caught sight of her and red flashed in his eyes, but he subdued them.

"Finally, you join us, come sit beside me." he beckoned. She swallowed shakily and made her way over towards him, where an empty tray was.

She sat down and cleared her throat, "Good morning, my king, good morning, prince Edward." she greeted with a small voice and they both responded.

A female chef, much older, stepped up to her seat with a big bowl in her hand. She set it down before Mia, who glanced up to thank her only to meet a familiar face. She had light skin, hooded grey eyes, high cheekbones and brown hair. With squinted eyes, Mia wondered where she'd seen her before. Then it hit her. The chef looked like Kai, the shaman she had met on the ship heading south days ago. He had spoken about his daughter, who was a chef, and she had to be the one.

Mia reached out and took her by the hand. "What's your name?"

"Julia."

"You're Kai's daughter."

She nodded her head, her eyes narrowed as she stared at her, wondering how she knew that.

Mia wanted to tell her she'd seen her father on the ship, but the alpha king cleared his throat. She jerked back to her surroundings and let go of Julia's hand. The chef exited the dining room quickly, uttering no word. "What was that about?" Edward asked with an interested tone and eyes fixed on Mia.

She gave a mild shrug. "I knew her father."

It's been three days since she met the shaman and seeing Julia reminded her of what he told her.

"You will be okay." Kia's voice echoed in her head, and she believed.

Xavier reached out and took hold of her chilly hands, warming them up. Her heartbeat skipped at the contact. She almost yanked it away from him on instinct but realised Edward was at the table with them, watching their every move. 'Play the role of a good queen,' she commanded herself, shaking the nerves away and forcing on a better demeanour.

"Did you get enough sleep, my queen?"

She nodded vigorously. "It was great, thank you. How was yours?"

"Wonderful, but it would have been better if I had you by my side."

She caught Edward rolling his eyes, not buying the bullshit they were acting out before he spoke. "Can we eat now? I still have a meeting with the council on the Capital 3 project and I'll need to get on to it."

Xavier cast a glare at Edward, but he didn't see it as his gaze remained on the food before him. He then released her hand so that they could eat.

After finishing the meal on his plate in silence, Edward picked up the tablecloth, wiped his mouth and spoke. "Your wife hasn't attended the maiden's council meeting since she became queen, brother. Are you going to release her soon?" Xavier swallowed the egg in his mouth before speaking. "It's barely two months since we wedded, Edward. I don't want to rush her into anything. She needs to take her time and learn."

"There's no rush on her. All she has to do is take a few cases, listen to what they say, and give a sound judgment. I know your wife is very young, but I believe she's capable of much more. She can do better than being trapped in this enormous Palace all day doing nothing, except beckoning to your calls."

After her return, Edward asked if the alpha king had harmed her in any way and she told him he hadn't. She couldn't tell him about the agreement she and his brother had made, even though she wanted to. Xavier had made her swear on Ariel's ashes to keep it private. No one was to know, and even if they did, it shouldn't be from her mouth.

She admitted to Edward about her attempt to end her life after getting caught. Then she apologised for being unable to keep her promise. Edward told her he understood and, despite being sad to see her back, he was happy to see her alive.

He asked her what her plans were for her return and she told him she planned to keep her head down until a better escape plan came along.

Xavier dropped the cutleries and slammed his hands on the table, making Mia flinch in panic.

He picks the table cloth up and wipes his mouth as well. "The breakfast hall is a place to eat in peace. It's not a place to pick a fucking fight on what's what, but you don't know that. You never have."

"I'm not trying to ruin breakfast. I just think this is a grand avenue to speak. The people will not respect their queen if they never see her helping them out in their affairs. What do you think, Mia?" at the mention of her name, her head lifts and they met Edward's inquisitive eyes, while he waited for her answer.

"I will go with whatever my king and husband say is best." She timidly stated.

"Fine, since you're the mouthpiece of the people, I have heard you and she will be with them in tomorrow's meeting. Is that okay? Can I have breakfast in peace now?"

A mischievous smile took over Edward's face, knowing he had won this round.

A small knock came to Mia's door, and she rose from the armchair and made her way to it, already guessing who it was. She opened it wide and before her stood Edward.

He stepped into the room as soon as the door opened and she shut it. She turned around and saw him with the same mischievous smile he had on his face at breakfast.

"It worked," he told her as if she wasn't there to see for herself.

She smiled, her first genuine smile for a while now, and it was all thanks to him.

He was indeed the friend she had never had while growing up.

Yesterday, Edward informed Mia about the need to be a part of the maiden's council affair in the kingdom. It was a necessary step, since her escape might not happen soon. Though it sounded like a great idea and she longed to step out of the palace, she didn't know if Xavier would accept it. Edward asked if she wanted to be a part and when she said yes, he told her that was all he needed.

She didn't think she deserved Edward's help, especially after her agreement with the king, but he was helping her, anyway.

"Thank you, Edward." the smile on her face was impeccable, and she threw her arms around him once again.