Her Husbands

Hazel’s POV

I sat at the corner of the small place that brought immense prosperity whenever I visited here. This small garden waters several blossoming flowers, filled with affluent and sweet aromas of the last remains of my mother, whom she loved more than anything. My eyes twinkled with bliss as flowers danced with touches of breeze.

“Hazel!” I sighed. Why does this precious moment have to be ruined?

I gently caressed the tulips with the soft touch of my fingers as I felt the velvety texture of their petals caressing my skin.

“Hazel! There you are. I’ve been looking—Hey! Is that dirt? What’re you doing in the mud?”

“For God’s sake—”

“Anyways, I don’t have time to quarrel with you. Mother is calling you, she’ll get more frustrated, the longer you make her wait…” I looked behind me to find her standing a few feet away from me, on the stone-made path with her hands over her waist as she looked down at me with a deep frown.

Her caramel skin gleamed with sun rays as her long, long hair flowed down her waist in rich waves of darkness. The light pink ankle-length dress she wore made her green eyes prominent against her heart-shaped face. Liana.

“I don’t even think that is possible. She’s always frustrated.” I said rolling my eyes with a wide smirk.

Liana always hated it when I didn’t listen to her. After my mother died, she was the only person left who understood me like no other. Be it out of a sisterly bond or the four-year age difference, she always provided me with love and affection I was void since childhood.

I turned over and pushed myself up on my feet. My eyes shined as the bright sun attacked me with its warmness and rays.

“Change your clothes before going inside.” Liana reminded me.

“Yes, mother dearest,” I said sarcastically. I tugged and pulled down my white ankle-length dress with small blue flowers, reminding me of my mother, until it nearly gathered around my feet.

“I wonder what’s it this time,” I muttered as I quickly headed out of the garden.

I quickened my pace though I was indisposed to get to my undesirable destination. I looked up at the large castle I called home, well not exactly home if it meant only as a shelter for me. But not to forget how busy it was today with hundreds of men and women running around preparing for the evening’s highly apprehended occasion.

The Almighty Sovereign of Nithilorc were coming. And I heard from Liana that they were going to ally with Hora, this kingdom. And most excitement was shown by none other than Liana herself. I may or may not have heard that she had a thing for the eldest son of Nithilorc.

I grabbed the side of my dress and walked up the long window steps towards my Father’s palace. Liana followed behind as she yelled at me to go slow.

“Slow down, Hazel!”

I giggled before running upstairs as she heaved a heavy sigh.

“Always in a hurry.”

I gasped as my feet stumbled backwards but before I could fall, Dominic clasped his hand around my wrist.

“Dominic!” I grinned. “You switched your duties with chefs now,” I said as I balanced myself when I noticed the tray of freshly cut fruits in his other hand.

“They’re for Isabella.” Oh!

“Now you’re her waiter too?” I teased as I crossed my arms over my chest and he looked down at me, assessing the length of my body as he scrunched his face.

“Your father told me to be her guard for the day. Anyways, what’s with all this mud?” He said shrugging his shoulders.

“There’s a difference between bodyguard and waiter, Dominic. And…” I faked a smile and tilted my head. “This is not mud.” Dominic rolled his eyes.

“And who’s going to guard me?”

I asked curiously. No matter how much disgrace I was to this family, my father never left me unguarded, hadn’t any idea why so, but other than my father’s wife and her daughters, I had my fair share of respect in the kingdom.

“Don’t tell me Eric is going to be my babysitter for today. I cannot stand his pervertedness.”

Eric wasn’t that pervert actually but I always find his eyes on my chest whenever he gets the chance which makes me uncomfortable.

Dominic frowned.

“Is he getting out of control?”

I shook my head.

“No, just occasional stares.”

Dominic mumbled something under his breath.

“Tell me if he does something funny.”

“Why? It’s not like you have any time for me other than to protect Isabelle?”

I was sulking I knew. But I couldn’t watch my close friend leaving me to guard Isabelle, a seductive wench.

“You’ll always be my priority. You know that?”

“Wish you a memorable evening, Dominic.” I teased as I leaned up against him. I winked at him and rushed as I heard the annoying voice of my so-called mother.

“See ya’ later! Love ya!” I waved as I ran upstairs grabbing the hem of my dress as the screaming of my name became louder and louder the closer she got.

“Hazel—”

“I’m here,” I said quickly appearing in the large dressing room where she was shuffling through clothes and a few expensive-looking fabrics were scattered all around the floor.

My other five sisters, Isabella, Tiana, Ruby, Irene and Soni were all gathered in the massive room. Two maids were helping two of my sisters helping with their dresses. Soni was tightening her corset and Isabella was rubbing a tinted scent all over her face. A tall, pale-skinned, with sharp blue eyes, and long braided blonde hair turned around and looked at me with her usual expression, of disgust. But then she was always like this.

“Where the hell were you?” She scowled.

I held back the urge to roll my eyes.

I looked up at her as she approached me with a disgusted look on her priceless face. “You don’t have to cover yourself with soil to look more disgraceful.” She scoffed.

“Leave it, Mother! It practically suits her.” Isabella snickered as others laughed with her. I rolled my eyes unamused.