I walked over to the bed. I didn't cry. I couldn't anymore. I was too tired for that.
What would Klaus tell my father? I rolled onto my back and stared up at the ceiling. I thought I had hit my limit before. I hadn't. Not until tonight. I wasn't doing this anymore.
I would dissolve the marriage tomorrow. No more pretending. No more hoping. No more bruising myself over a man who never even glanced back.
I closed my eyes, willing to sleep. It didn't.
But eventually, exhaustion won over the pain I felt in my heart.
The sun was barely up when I returned. I pushed the door open and stepped inside.
I barely had time to take a breath.
"Bella."
I froze.
My father stormed towards me.
"Where were you?" he demanded. "Do you have any idea how worried Klaus was last night?"
I blinked. "What?"
"He didn't know what he did wrong but he was scared something had happened to you." My father's voice rose, anger filled with concern. "You left him because you were angry? Is that it? Couples fight all the time Bella, you don't just storm off."
I snapped.
"Dad!" I screamed. "He used me as a wager! He sold me for a few plots of land. They were playing a game yesterday. And the winner was his friend, his friend took me home. Dad, if his friend wanted to do more then I would, I might've had to sleep with another man.
And then—
"Bella, you—" Aiden's voice came from behind me, quiet but present. He clearly didn't think I would spill everything to my father.
I spun to face him, rage filling me up. "No. I'm sick of pretending. I'm sick of playing house in a marriage built on nothing but lies. He doesnt love me. I turned to face him. "You don't love me, Aiden. Let us end this fake marriage now. I wish you and Athena the best."
Aiden looked stunned. Maybe he didn't expect me to actually have limits. "I never—"
"You never what?" I cut him off, my voice shaking. "I'm not your true mate, Klaus. We've been pretending we were in a loving relationship in front of my dad, but I'm tired now. So let's just stop this pathetic act."
My father's eyes widened, struggling to keep up.
"I want this marriage dissolved," I said, voice firm and bitter. "Today. In fact right now."
I went to the kitchen to get a knife. This was the only way to dissolve the marriage through sacrificing your blood to the moon goddess. I came out and my father was still there stunned, I knew he was still processing everything.
My fingers hesitated over the knife for only a second before I grabbed it, the cold steel biting into my skin as I cut a clean line across my palm.
My blood spilled.
I dropped to my knees, held my bleeding hand to the sky, and whispered through gritted teeth, "By blood, I sever this bond. By the Moon Goddess, I take back my freedom."
A sudden chill passed through me, and I knew it was done. The marriage between Klaus and I was gone.
I turned to my father. "Let's go."
He didn't move.
"You promised to treat her well," my father said through his teeth, stepping forward.
And then—he tried to swing. My gentle, soft-hearted father, a healer by nature, not a fighter, threw a punch at Aiden.
Aiden easily sidestepped it easily.
My father didn't try to hit him again. Instead he collected himself and calmly said. "Aiden, I will make sure you suffer for your actions." "Bella, let's go home."
I followed my father, my injury was already almost healed.
He said nothing as I climbed into the carriage beside him, but when I slumped forward and started crying into his shoulder, he simply pulled me close, holding me like he used to when I was a child.
"I want to be stronger," I whispered through sobs. "I don't want to live like this—helpless, powerless. I want to serve the king as a warrior. I want to protect, not be protected."
My father looked down at me, his eyes misty with a quiet pride. "Then that's what you'll become," he said gently. "And I'll help you, Bella."
I clung to him, the warmth of his embrace finally breaking the cold in my chest.
And before I knew it, I had fallen asleep in his arms, I felt safe.
When I woke up, sunlight filtered softly through the curtains. My body ached, but the heaviness in my chest was slightly less crushing.
Then I heard voices.
My father's voice.
"Yes, deliver the message quickly," he was saying to someone outside the room. "Ride fast. The palace must receive it before noon."
I pushed myself up, rubbing my eyes. "Dad?"
He turned instantly, a relieved smile tugging at his lips. "Bella. You're awake."
I nodded, my voice still groggy. "What message…?"
He stepped closer, crouching beside the bed. "I've sent a message to the palace. It should get there soon. I'm using the last royal favor the king owes me."
My heart stopped. "For what?"
"To have you placed as a soldier in the king's palace," he said simply, like it wasn't the biggest thing in the world.
"No." I shook my head quickly. "No, Dad—you don't have to do that. Please don't."
"Bella," he said gently, "you are all I have. No amount of wealth or power compares to you."
Tears stung my eyes. "But—"
He reached up and cupped my cheek, silencing me.
"I believe," he said softly, "that one day your powers will awaken. And even if they don't… I believe one day, you'll become something great. Not because of magic or status—but because you're my daughter."
A tear slipped down my cheek. I didn't wipe it away.
The messenger returned quicker than expected, breathless and covered in dust from the road.
He handed my father a sealed scroll bearing the king's crest. My father opened it with trembling fingers, eyes scanning the words with growing emotion.
He looked at me. "You are to report to duty in five days."
I took a deep breath. "Five days?"
"But first," he continued, "you must undergo compulsory training.
I prepared, and in five days, I was on my way. I arrived at the grand gates of the royal palace, my heart filled with excitement in my chest.
The palace was majestic.