I Got Married To My Killer

Chapter 17

The kingdom of Alagascar was breathtaking. From the towering silver-columned buildings to the vast streets stretching endlessly under the golden morning sun, everything about the kingdom was grand and imposing. But the most striking feature of all was its people tall, elegant, and regal. Height was an unmissable trait in Alagascar, a silent yet dominant mark of its identity.

As Grace leaned against her window, she observed the kingdom that was now hers to rule. The streets buzzed with conversations, laughter filling the air as merchants called out their wares and children ran between the market stalls. It was clear that Prince Quicke, or rather Grace herself, was well-respected here. Even from a distance, passersby looked up, some waving excitedly when they noticed her watching from above.

She sighed. This place, so full of life, was now her reality.

But no matter how beautiful the kingdom appeared, it did little to erase the memory within her.

A knock on the door pulled her back to the moment. It was time to meet Juliet for their scheduled picnic.

Dressed in a black embroidered outfit, Grace adjusted her fitted wristwatch and stepped out of her chamber. Her tall frame carried an air of quiet authority, further accentuated by the lingering scent of her cologne subtle yet unmistakable.

Juliet was already waiting outside, draped in a flowing gold dress, her black silk hair neatly pulled into a ponytail. Her feet adorned with delicate yet elegant sandals. The contrast between them was striking, one in regal gold, the other in dark command.

They exchanged formal pleasantries as the guards opened the doors, allowing them into the carriage.

Silence settled between them. Juliet seemed eager to speak, her gaze flickering toward Grace several times, but Grace wasn't ready for whatever conversation she intended to start.

The ride to the royal garden was long and quiet.

Once they arrived, Juliet took the lead in spreading out the soft mattress for them to sit on. But as Grace watched her work, something in her mind shifted. A memory. A flashback of the dark and painful incident that altered her whole life.

Her voice came out colder than she intended.

"You spread that quite well," she mused, watching Juliet's hands smooth out the fabric. "I suppose that's how you learned to drag things or perhaps humans on the floor so effortlessly, right?"

Juliet froze for a moment, then looked up, startled. "I don't quite get you, Your Highness." She forced a small, uneasy smile. "You seem to speak in parables often."

Grace took a slow step forward, her gaze steady. "Oh, I speak in parables? That's quite a discovery Juliet or should I rather say, my bride. How come you never seem to understand them?"

"I may not seem to understand," Juliet said, shifting uncomfortably, "but I promise if you break it down for me, I will."

For a moment, Grace hesitated.

What if Juliet was innocent?

What if she had no real intention to cause harm?

But the thought dissolved as quickly as it came. No one was truly innocent. Everyone knew exactly what they were doing. Juliet had been a part of the incident, and that made her no different from her cousin.

Grace chuckled lightly. "You'll understand soon enough."

There was silence for a moment before Grace changed the subject. "Our wedding… How come your cousin, what do you say her name is again?" She paused deliberately. "Ah. Queen. How come she didn't attend?"

Juliet's shoulders tensed slightly. "You see, she was one of the people I wanted there, but she's far apart."

"Far apart?" Grace raised a brow. "That's not a valid excuse. She comes from a wealthy family, married into an even wealthier one. Distance wouldn't have been an issue for someone like her. Talk to me, Juliet. What's the real reason she didn't come?"

Juliet adjusted the folds of her dress, a habit of hers when nervous. "The thing is my family and Queen's family aren't quite the same in status. The Jonah family is far wealthier than the Morphine family. She has always treated me like I was beneath her. When I told her about the wedding, she assumed I was marrying within my class. I didn't tell her I was marrying royalty."

Grace tilted her head slightly, absorbing every word. "You're family," she said, her voice even. "Why didn't you tell her you were marrying into the throne?"

Juliet hesitated before exhaling sharply. "I wanted to surprise her. And I didn't want her to outshine me at my own wedding." Her fingers clenched slightly. "It was my moment. Not hers."

There it was that flicker of anger, the rawness beneath Juliet's carefully crafted face.

Grace nodded slowly, the corners of her lips twitching. "I see."

A brief silence passed before she asked, "Since we're family, tell me have you ever done something, or helped accomplish something, that you regret to this day? Be transparent."

Juliet held Grace's gaze, her expression unreadable.

"No, Your Highness," she said finally. "I do not regret anything I've done in the past. I did what I did because it was right for me." She gave a small, confident smile.

And just like that, whatever possibility Grace had considered of seeing Juliet in a different light vanished.

She was just like Queen Jonah.

Grace let out a quiet sigh before standing. "Alright, well said." She turned slightly, adjusting her collar. "I want you to invite your cousin, Queen Jonah, over. Her journey will be paid for, and she will be treated well when she arrives."

Juliet stiffened. "What… what for?"

"So we can all get acquainted," Grace answered casually.

Juliet hesitated, her expression unreadable. "I'll think about it, Your Highness. That's quite a decision."

Grace smirked. "Take your time."

She took a deep breath, feeling the conversation had reached its natural end. "It's time we head back to the kingdom. I have matters to attend to."

As she turned, Robert was already waiting nearby.

Juliet stood as well, brushing off invisible dust from her dress. Then, she suddenly spoke.

"Your Highness," she said softly. "Every day, I am grateful you chose me above the others. Being with you heals a part of me that I don't speak of. And I'm not just speaking about Prince Quicke… I mean you."

Her eyes searched Grace's, vulnerable and unguarded for once. "Let's make this work. Forever."

For a moment, Grace stood still. She could feel the weight of those words, the plea beneath them.

But what was Juliet truly asking for? Love? Redemption? Acceptance? Or was it simply another layer of manipulation? Grace asked within herself. But she she didn't answer anything Juliet had said, Instead she gave a slow nod and turned toward the carriage.