Chapter 33: Ex..

Chapter 33: Ex..Eyes finally moved to where Ariana stood. She inhaled slowly before walking to the dining table. Just as she reached it, she curtsied politely to her father—and to her surprise, he nodded with a smile. She sat down quietly. Ava’s gaze was fixed on her, eyes wide with disbelief. It seemed Ariana had changed—deeply. Was it the gown? The way her hair was styled? No, it was something more. Her aura. She looked like someone born into luxury, born noble—even though she wasn’t even trying. "Sweetheart, would you like some extra chicken?" Mr. John spoke. Ava almost gagged as the foul stench of his breath mixed with the food he had eaten wafted over to her. She forced a fake smile and shook her head, her body tingling with shame. At this point, she didn’t even know how to look her sister in the eye after all her boasting. Not to mention how disgustingly clingy this man was. "Ariana, you look stunning. I must say—your husband is treating you well," Mr. Brentford said with a pleased smile, shocked himself at how Ariana carried herself. Ariana knew too well why her father was acting this way. She returned the smile, catching both her sister and father off guard. Slowly, she raised her hand and signed: "He really treats me well. What a responsible husband of mine, don’t you think?" "V-Very true, my dear daughter," her father stuttered, clearly not expecting her to reply. It seemed she had changed. Just how many days had she been here, and already it felt like he couldn’t recognize her. The once calm daughter was nowhere to be seen—this was someone else, someone with quiet determination. "Your daughter is very pretty, I must say. In fact, she looks like a goddess herself. No wonder Alpha Zavren is fond of her, as the rumors say," said Mr. John, the brown-haired man, as he picked up a piece of fish. Ava’s face twisted in barely contained anger. Why did her sister always have to take everything from her? Why did it always have to be Ariana, Ariana, Ariana? "Your husband isn’t here, sister? Is he so busy that he can’t even have breakfast with his wife?" Ava asked sweetly, though her voice dripped with thinly veiled mockery. "Oops, I forgot—you’ll have to get used to it, even when he gets other wives." Ariana’s lips curled into a smile as she raised her hand again and signed softly: "I’m hoping to see cute little ones soon. You and your husband look perfect together." CLANK. Ava’s spoon fell onto her plate as her face paled. She hadn’t expected Ariana to ignore her words like that. Even their father nearly choked on his food. Ava’s chest rose and fell rapidly as she watched Ariana carefully cut a piece of fruit and eat it with quiet grace like nothing ever happened. Just as Ava opened her mouth to speak— The large door opened. T..The Alpha King. Zavren entered the dining room, his face blank, his black and gold royal garment screaming power and luxury. His black hair was swept back, though a few strands fell over his face. His stormy grey eyes landed on Ariana, a subtle smirk forming—only to vanish immediately. He walked over and sat at the head of the table, Ariana sitting beside him. "Your Majesty," they all greeted in unison. Everyone paused, waiting for Zavren to pick up his cutlery before they resumed eating, as it was a sign of respect for the King—except Ariana who was unaware, she continued her meal without hesitation. Ava stared at her in shock, then glanced at Zavren. He hadn’t even spared her a single glance. His eyes were locked only on Ariana. "Ariana, don’t you have any respect? How dare you eat while the King—" her father began, but was instantly cut off. "Shut up." Zavren’s voice sliced through the air like a sharp knife through stillness. "If you ever speak to my wife like that again, your head will be the next steak for my sharks. After all, they wouldn’t mind a different flavor this time," he said with a predatory grin plastered across his face, the thought of it sparking slight amusement in his eyes. The words echoed through the hallway as silent horror enveloped the hall. Seconds passed. Mr. Brentford broke into a violent sweat, his body trembling. Mr. John sat silently. He knew the Alpha King—and how brutal he was—so he stayed quiet. "M-My apologies, Your Majesty," he stammered, bowing his head quickly. Ariana’s eyes widened slightly. She knew he wasn’t joking. S..Sharks? Did Zavren just say... sharks? Did he actually keep sharks? Just what kind of man was she married to? Ava bit her lip, her heart clenching with jealousy as she watched them. "Your Majesty, we’re honored to have breakfast with you... and my daughter," her father attempted to say. "Queen Ariana, you’re not as stupid as you look, are you?" Zavren’s nonchalant voice rang out. Mr. Brentford’s face stiffened. "Q-Queen Ariana... I apologize for my behavior. My other daughter, Ava, and I traveled to visit her husband’s parents do we could not attend the wedding last night," he said quickly. The brown-haired man beside them smiled awkwardly, making sure not to look at Ariana. Everyone knew how ruthless the King was, and the last thing he wanted was to offend him. "I see," Zavren replied coolly. He picked up a piece of meat. But instead of placing it on Ariana’s plate, he lifted it to her lips. Ariana’s face flushed instantly as she looked at him in disbelief. ’What..i..is he doing’ she asked herself in surprise. "Go ahead, Snowflake," Zavren urged, his eyes now focused on her soft, full pink lips. All eyes were on them. Watching. Ariana slowly opened her mouth and took the meat from the fork. She chewed softly, her elegance effortless. Zavren’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he watched her lips move. Then, as if nothing had happened, he used the same fork to take another piece and ate it himself. Ava gritted her teeth, her fists trembling under the table. Her stomach turned in disgust as she felt her husband’s eyes watching her. The Alpha King was even more handsome than she remembered—and her sister was going to have him. While she stayed with this... As if that was not enough, Mr. John’s hand moved. And then... she felt it rest on her lap. Ava’s body froze. She fought the urge to shove it away, but she couldn’t. They were married now. "Last night, you didn’t fulfill me well," he whispered. "Eat a lot today, so you’ll have strength." Ava scrunched her nose. Why fish? Why did he have to eat fish? It was like the smell had intensified. With every breath, she swore he was breathing straight into her nostrils. Her stomach churned. What kind of embarrassment was this? ... "Your Majesty, I came here to tell you myself that my... Queen Ariana..." Mr. Brentford stumbled, his eyes lowering in fear. "Her baby..." Zavren’s gaze slowly shifted from his plate, resting with icy boredom on the trembling man before him. "Don’t waste my time." Zavren’s voice was sharp. Ariana shifted her gaze to her father. Ava, watching her sister, felt a twisted smile tug at her lips. "I wanted to inform you... she h-has a... child..." her father stammered. Zavren’s lips curved into a chilling grin as he spoke, his voice calm—too calm. "That I am aware of. I am the father." The moment those words left Zavren’s lips, Ava’s face crumbled. Her lips trembled. Silence fell as Ariana’s father’s mouth opened and closed in raw shock. Ava’s face turned pale, drained of color. Why... just why? Beside her, the man’s hand began to caress her thigh. Even though her gown acted as a barrier, she still felt the disgust crawling on her skin. Her brown hair, tightly packed into a ponytail, felt like it was pulled with her skull. The dress she wore—the one he claimed his mother had worn after her wedding day—suddenly felt like a costume for shame. Ava’s heart squeezed painfully in jealousy and deep hatred. She couldn’t let this continue. She wouldn’t sit here and watch Ariana smile. If it meant ruining this marriage, so be it. She would do it. But even now, her breath shook. Zavren is the father? H..How? When? "Your Majesty..." Ava managed to say. But her throat caught. Just saying those words felt like swallowing glass. Now it all made sense—why her father behaved like that, why the air felt so suffocating. The Alpha King’s presence wasn’t just intimidating—it was deadly. "My sister’s ex-husband died," Ava blurted out suddenly, voice unsteady. "And... there are rumors that she killed him." She hadn’t even planned to say that. It just... slipped. Her hand trembled around the fork. She couldn’t eat anymore. She couldn’t even move. It was like her body had frozen. Her limbs ignored her. Her thoughts scattered. Zavren hadn’t even glanced her way. Still, her body refused to obey. This man... He was terrifyingly scary. Zavren didn’t turn to her. Instead, his eyes shifted to Ariana, who had quietly stopped eating. That name—ex-husband—had struck something. His lips curled into an emotionless smile. It didn’t reach his eyes. Then, his deep voice echoed across the table. "Killed, huh? Isn’t that interesting? Such skill is very hard to find nowadays I’m quite impressed." The room fell into a stunned, choking silence at his words.