The Bride He Hates-Chapter 21: The Ex’s Game

The garden was quiet in the early morning. Lyanna had come here after breakfast, needing space from the suffocating walls of the royal chambers, from Clara’s pitying glances, and from the constant awareness of Azrael’s presence even when he wasn’t there.

The garden was one of the few places she could walk without permission. She was examining a black rose when she heard footsteps behind her.

"Queen Lyanna."

The voice was smooth as silk. Lyanna turned to find Lady Sylvia standing a few steps away from her.

"Lady Sylvia ." Lyanna replied politely.

"What a lovely surprise." Sylvia smiled. "I was hoping to talk to you in private, without the formality and court politics."

"Of course. I’d like that." Lyanna replied, even though her every instinct warned her to refuse the conversation.

They began walking together along the garden path. Sylvia started with talking about flowers, and the weather.

"It must be difficult." Sylvia said suddenly as they stopped near a fountain. "Being human among vampires. Does it frighten you, knowing that you’ll age, wither, and die, while he remains exactly as he is and available to others who won’t vanish like morning dew?"

Lyanna’s stomach clenched, but she tried to stay calm.

"I’m aware of my mortality, and it doesn’t frighten me." Lyanna replied.

"How brave." Sylvia laughed. "Twenty years from now, you’ll have gray hair while he’ll look the same. In fifty years, you’ll be dead, and he’ll still have centuries ahead of him. He’ll barely remember your name."

Lyanna kept her breathing steady. She refused to react, refused to give Sylvia the satisfaction she was seeking.

"But there is a solution, you know." Sylvia continued with fake concern. "If His Majesty truly genuinely cares for you, he can turn you. He can grant you immortality." She paused, watching Lyanna’s reaction.

"Has he offered? My father turned my mother five hundred years ago because he couldn’t bear the thought of living without her. King Damien turned his wife after only ten years together. Even Lord Victor turned his wife within the first year of their marriage."

"It hasn’t been discussed." Lyanna replied, hating how the answer sounded like a failure.

"That’s unusual. Most vampires who intend to turn their spouse do so within the first year. The fact that he hasn’t even discussed this..." She paused again. "Well, it tells me how little he values keeping you with him."

Lyanna’s hands clenched into fists at her sides. She wanted to argue, but she controlled herself, remembering Azrael’s words. Sylvia looked down and smiled. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"Your hands." Sylvia gestured towards Lyanna’s left hand. "You’re not wearing your wedding ring."

She said it loud enough that two nearby servants heard her. Lyanna remembered Azrael showing her the ring, but he had never actually given it to her. And she had also completely forgotten about it given her circumstances.

"A queen without her ring. How... unusual. Did His Majesty not give you one?"

"The ring..." Lyanna’s voice faltered.

What could she say that wouldn’t make this worse?

"No ring, no immortality, no true claim on him at all." Sylvia said with a smirk. "I wonder if you’re actually married or just temporarily entertaining him. A curiosity that will fade when something more interesting catches his attention.

After all, you’re just a minor human princess from a disgraced house, forced into marriage as punishment."

The servants had abandoned their work and were listening to the conversation with full interest.

"You know, Azrael and I spent the best time of our lives together." Sylvia smiled at the memory. "Although, a ring is just a piece of metal and stone. But its absence, and the way he treats you like his favourite pet rather than a true wife, speaks volumes, doesn’t it?"

This was it. Lyanna could no longer control herself.

"Lady Sylvia, I find it absolutely fascinating how much time and energy you devote to analyzing a relationship that has clearly ended. If Azrael had wanted you beside him for eternity, if you were truly as special as you’re implying, he would have chosen to marry you instead of me.

But I’m the one wearing his name, while you are desperately trying to convince both of us that your century-old rejection still matters to anyone but you."

Sylvia burned with anger.

"You little..."

"Lady Sylvia." Azrael interrupted their conversation.

Both of them turned to find Azrael standing a few steps away from them. Lyanna’s heart stuttered on seeing the expression on his face. She’d seen him angry before but this time the anger on his face was on another level.

How long had he been standing there? How much had he heard?

"How interesting to find you harassing my wife." He said calmly.

Sylvia recovered immediately.

"Your Majesty, I was just getting acquainted with the queen. We were talking about...matrimonial symbols." She replied with a smile. "I was just telling Queen Lyanna how unusual it is to see a vampire married without discussing the turning. Most vampires who truly love their spouses offer immortality quite early. But I’m sure you have your reasons for waiting."

"My marriage and my decisions regarding it are not topics for garden gossip, Lady Sylvia. Your father wants to see you. I suggest you attend to your duties rather than discussing matters that don’t involve you."

His words left no room for argument. But Lyanna noticed how he didn’t deny anything just ended the conversation using his authority.

"Of course, Your Majesty. Do forgive my presumption. I was just trying to help." Sylvia said and walked away with a victorious smile.

The moment she left, Azrael looked at Lyanna.

"What did she say to you before I arrived?" He asked immediately.

"You should’ve heard most of it, given vampire senses are sharp enough to eavesdrop from wherever you were lurking. She said I’m not wearing a ring. She said you haven’t turned me. She said I’m just temporary." She replied. "Is she wrong?"

His expression darkened further. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her behind a high hedge wall, away from the rest of the garden. He released her wrist and stepped closer.

"You let her bait you. That’s what she wanted. You are a queen, Lyanna. Act like it." He said. "As for the ring and the turning, you don’t deserve it. When you prove yourself worthy of the ring, you’ll get it. And immortality?? Let’s not even go there."

"As if I’m dying for your ring or you to turn me." She chuckled bitterly. " I want nothing from you. I want nothing from a man who treats his wife as property, who measures my worth by how well I perform my role.

What would be the point of an eternity chained to someone who doesn’t see me as a person? Who will spend the next thousand years reminding me that I’m only here because he permits it?"

She turned away and started walking.

"Where are you going?"

"Back to my chambers." She replied without looking back. "Since that’s where you keep your possessions, isn’t it? Or should I wait here for your permission?"

"Lyanna..."

But she was already walking away, with her head high. Behind her, she heard him say something, but she ignored him, refusing to listen.