Riona POV

I stared at the damp wallpaper as it was barely hanging onto their life just like me as I laid on my back. I was exhausted from Madame Noelle's lectures about being ‘ladylike’ and how I should do a great job as Adonis' wife and serve him to the best of my abilities. I guess no one actually knows that this is just a dreadful contract marriage. Or they just choose to play along for the sake of trying to avoid death.

He was an absolute jerk but honestly, what did I expect from a noble human? At the end of the day, humans were just the worst. All I needed was my revenge even if I had to suck up to a jerk like him.

I needed to avenge my people, Audrey. I needed to make Vincent suffer. Slowly and painfully…

So I guess sucking up to Adonis wasn’t so bad. I mean I had no pride anyway. I was the Elven princess of a great kingdom and it was destroyed because of me. Even if I had to grovel at Adonis’s feet or even if it cost me my life I would get my revenge.

The estate was quite silent, not even the workers gossiped. They would all just sneak glances and ignore me. Every corner of the place was silent and gloomy. I would probably hear every pin drop in here. 

Adonis remained annoying, always trying to invite me to dinner. Always telling Madame Noelle to bury me with mountains of work and make me deaf with her ever-so-long and boring lectures. Although her company was nice she reminded me of someone…

Suddenly, there was a loud crash outside my room making me jump a bit. I wondered who it could be, my side of the estate was isolated, barely anyone came near.

As I got up and opened the door, I noticed Gerald on the floor picking up a small box slightly scratched with sunflower patterns as well as a letter. I looked down at him as he anxiously picked them up. Looking at him, he was a rather fragile man. 

“What is it Gerald?” I questioned him as he stood.

“The young master wishes for you to attend dinner,” Gerald told me as he handed me over the box and letter.

“I’ll keep the letter,” I said as I tried to give him back the box.

“But your ladyship the young mast-”

“Gerald, you are dismissed!” I yelled as my voice echoed throughout the hallway.

Just like that Gerald was dismissed but I still had the box in my hands…

The sunflower patterned box…the red ribbon…

We're all a reminder.

My head throbbed suddenly as everything seemed all over the place. Something felt burning in my stomach as it churned up. My legs gave up dropping to the cold floor. All I could hear were the dying screams from that day over and over again that was the only thing I could hear. The dying screams.

A bitter taste filled my mouth as I pushed out the endless vomit that escaped my mouth. Before I knew it blood was slowly trickling down my nose, I crawled slowly outside leaning my back on the balcony as I wiped the blood with my handkerchief.

Why does it always happen when I see a sunflower?

Maybe I could close my eyes for a bit, there are a few more hours till dinner at least.

When it was time for dinner I made sure to throw away my bloodstained handkerchief without anyone noticing. The agony grew every time I took a step as my head throbbed showing no sign of stopping but all I needed to do was to put up a smile and go to dinner. Nothing more, nothing less. I just need to look fine because I was. 

Even if everything I love is gone. Even if everyone I loved was gone. Even if I can not see the warm colours of the world. Even if I'm all alone with constant reminders of the past. I'm fine. I just needed to smile. I just needed to be patient. I'm going to get my revenge soon.

So I'm fine. There is no need for me to be sad or cry. Because I'm perfectly fine while everyone is dead. It was all my fault. I have to avenge them.

I don't have time to grieve and regret because I must avenge them. 

There is no time to be sick. Because I'm fine.

I am fine right? I'm not dead. Even if I should be…

"Riona," a voice called out.

That's when I realized I was at dinner with Adonis. The table was quite grand as we sat at opposite ends distancing ourselves from each other. The room was filled with the scrumptious food aroma. There was a wide course of food collection, some that I had never seen. It was quite the sight. 

I noticed the table was carefully arranged and the silver cutlery carefully lined up with sunflower patterns.

"I hope the food suits my fiance's taste," he asked while taking a few glances at me while he ate his dinner.

I glanced at the food and then plastered a fake smile on my face. The smell was starting to make me nauseous as my head throbbed.

I would say I cut up the chicken quite violently, I wasn't hungry or starving I just wanted to get it over with. Before eating it I gulped, I wasn't afraid of it being poisoned or anything. It just made me feel nauseous. 

As I ate the chicken it had a soft texture and was lightly seasoned. It was meant to be delicious so why did I feel so sick? I fought with my stomach and it continued to churn up and try to push out the chicken but I had to eat it. 

"Yes it tastes delicious," I beamed while smiling but of course, I was lying. I wanted to throw up.

“You look homesick,” he remarked as he stared at me blankly. I couldn't tell why he said that out of the blue.

“I’m fine,” I replied to his remark.

“Is it that you miss your home food?” he questioned.

“I am grateful for your grace’s hospitality,” I told him ignoring his question.

He stared at me briefly for a while without saying anything, I wondered what he was thinking.

“If you ever do find yourself missing your home food just ask Gerald to cook you something,” he told me I felt like he was being sincere.

For some odd reason, his words made me chuckle.

"About our plan," Adonis said while looking down at his food.

Finally, something to take my mind off of food!

"As I said before, you will be attending a social gathering with me where you will be publicly announced as my fiance," he reminded me.

This finally meant we would start on our plan. That means I would finally have my revenge. I would finally make Vincent feel my misery. So I had no time to feel unwell because I have to succeed.

"Yes I know," I replied

"Make sure to attend your final dress fitting, remember this is practically your debut as my wife," he said in a cold tone glaring at me. It was obvious that my success was very important to him. Even though I didn't know Adonis's motives I still needed him, he was the key to my sweet revenge.

"The other kingdom representative's wife for the upcoming treaty will be attending the gathering. You must befriend her and become close to her," he told me while he still glared at me coldly.

For some reason, if it felt as if the room's atmosphere had somewhat changed it felt more cold and stiff.

I can't mess up.

When we were finally done with dinner I quietly excused myself outside far into the garden. My secret spot. No one seemed to come here. It was perfect.

The garden was filled with various weeds and flowers, some that had even withered away it was clear the garden wasn’t taken care of with such shame. Behind all the tangled up weeds was a small stoned well which was perfect for me.

It was quiet so I couldn’t be too loud. 

I looked downward into the well and before I knew it, I found myself vomiting once again. My stomach forced out all that food and finally seemed to relax when it did.

Although when I was done I still felt my head throbbed, I guess, I would just have to get used to it. 

My body began to ache as I let myself collapse, falling back under the large willow tree that shadow lingered above. The breeze moved silently as it brushed past the withering grass, there were no clouds, nor birds. It was rather peaceful today though the sea is always calm before a storm.

“Why are you hiding, don’t you know everyone's been looking for you?” A familiar

voice asked with a hint of coldness as he looked down at me annoyed.

It was Adonis but what business did he have with me?