The Crown's Entrapment

At Castle Cordon

Jayra had a proud and thoughtful smile as her gaze turned to King Darius, who was still unconsciously lying on his bed. She had stayed inside the King's chamber while overseeing the situation inside the Element Forest through the vision before her coming from the King's disc. Particularly, everyone seemed to be still inside Xenia's dream.

"She recognized you, Your Majesty," she confidently uttered. "Soon enough, everything will be fine, and I'm sure by tomorrow, you'll be back here with us."

It had been way too easy for her to recognize her friend's husband. But knowing how much of a cautious person Xenia was, her friend would surely try to observe further and think through things before making a move.

It had been hours when the door swung open. The Queen Mother had entered, a solemn look etched onto her face as she directed her gaze towards the King.

"Thank you for looking after my son, Lady Jayra," the Queen Mother gratefully nodded. "I'll be taking over from here. Bartos is already waiting for you outside..."

Jayra smiled, followed by giving the older woman a curt nod before quietly leaving the bedchamber. Outside, Bartos was leaning on the nearest wall, obviously waiting for her to appear.

"Hungry?" he asked.

Jayra simply nodded. "Will we be staying here for now?" she curiously asked as she hooked her arms around her husband's arm.

Traveling back and forth had consumed some considerable time despite them traveling in Bartos's wolf form. It was still more than half a day's journey to go from the Lock Heart pack to the Capital City, and right now, they needed to stay more at the Capital City, especially with the king still being unconscious.

"Yes. We'll be staying here in the castle while our King is unconscious," Bartos nodded. "I've also asked for another guest room for Bella so that she can just stay here with us while the tournament is ongoing. Besides, that's also what she wanted as well."

"But she and Calypso will see each other often here?" Jayra asked with a frown.

"Calypso had already left with Lady Aurelia to see the Princess with the gift to see the past," Bartos informed her. "I heard that it will be a long journey for them, so it will take some time for them to come back home."

"That's good then," Jayra nodded in satisfaction. "Anyway, where's her bedchamber? You should've chosen the one nearest to the bedchamber that Lord Osman's using."

It was an obvious suggestion. She had no plans to hide her plans of playing cupid to her sister-in-law from her husband, and if it even helped, then all the more would she do so.

Hearing her suggestions, Bartos halted in his steps. He turned to stare at her with knitted brows, a small curious frown etched onto his face.

"What?!" Jayra scoffed, trying hard not to laugh at his expression.

"What are you planning to do?" he asked.

Jayra shrugged at the obvious question. "What else? I'm sure you know by now," she scoffed. "I noticed how the Admiral is constantly looking at Bella. And right now, I clearly agree with Mother that Osman would be the best man for her."

She shrugged with a pout, "Besides, what's the harm in having her bedchamber near the Admiral? It's not like they'll crawl into each other's bedrooms in the middle of the night."

With Jayra walking ahead of Bartos, the latter quickly followed behind her. Once he caught up to her, he comfortably put his arm around her shoulders to pull her in closer as they walked together. "Fine. I'll do as you say," Bartos cooed into her ear. "Just please stop frowning at me."

"Thanks!" Jayra beamed with a wide smile.

Her husband could only shake his head. "You go and pick up Bella then. She's currently in our bedchamber at the moment, then go on ahead to the dining hall," Bartos instructed. "I'll just give out further instructions to the servants pertaining to Bella's bedchamber as you suggested."

Reaching a certain junction in the hallway, Jayra nodded before quickly turning left to go get Bella for dinner.

Excitedly barging her way inside their bedchamber, Jayra smiled as she saw Bella getting ready, brushing her black hair while looking at the full-sized mirror.

"How was today's fight?" Jayra curiously asked as she grabbed the brush from Bella and combed her hair for her.

"It was boring as usual," Bella scoffed. "Nothing significant happened."

Jayra smiled at the her answer. She then candidly added, "So, how's your interaction with the Admiral going?"

Firing off her question, Jayra closely observed Bella's expression from the mirror. Sure enough, the growing blush on her sister-in-law's face didn't go unnoticed by her sharp eyes.

"Hmm, I'm not sure, but I think the Admiral is weird..." Bella hesitantly commented.

"What do you mean by weird?" Jayra asked further. Oh, how she loved conversations such as this. By the mirror, Bella hesitantly stared back at her.

"It's alright, Bella. You don't need to tell me if you're uncomfortable," she gently reassured her with a smile. "So, do you want your hair lose? Or do you want me to braid it? Or maybe just put it up in a bun?"

Ah... She missed those days when she and Princess Xenia would often play with one another's hair. She would arrange the Princess's long bronze hair, and Xenia would do the same for her during those sleepovers they had together, all while talking about random things like her experiences in the Mage's Tower and Xenia's experiences in training together with Prince Ezekiel.

It always felt so good to act like a good older sister like this. Sometimes, she would pinch herself just to make sure that she wasn't really dreaming. Now, she also has Bella to care for as a sister just like Xenia had been for her.

After a while, Bella suddenly spoke, telling Jayra everything. The more she talked, the more Jayra's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Heavens! Aren't you just one of a kind?" Jayra burst out. "Talking to Calypso like that in one blow, and now asking the Admiral if he likes you?"

"It wasn't me," Bella shrugged. "My wolf Poona keeps bothering me since Admiral Osman kept on stealing glances at me."

"So what did he say then?" Jayra asked. She was dying of curiosity, not even blinking as she stared at Bella through the mirror.

"He said he did..."

Jayra squealed so hard that Bella had to turn and cover her mouth. "Sis, why are you being so loud!?"

"It's because I feel so thrilled!" Jayra beamed as she cackled.

Bella chuckled as she shook her head. "Come now. Let's just go and eat," she smiled. "You might just be overreacting because of hunger."

"Why?" Jayra chuckled. "Don't you feel thrilled at all?"

Bella only wrinkled her nose and smirked, "Maybe... Maybe not... It's a secret.."

Dropping her line, Bella quickly walked towards the door. Blinking, Jayra quickly followed and called out to her. "Come now, tell your sister-in-law about it. I Promise I won't squeal at anyone!"

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AN: So, who among our side characters interests you the most that you think should have their own volume that will focus solely on their story only? Tell me your thoughts about it... *wink*