Imperfection - Chapter Three (Patreon)

“Congratulations, Olwen.”

I smile, dipping my chin in acknowledgment as another one of my parent’s guests congratulates me on my position. It’s been a hectic week with familiarizing myself with the issues before my first day and getting settled in my new home. But I’ve finally managed to make time for my parents. They’ve been asking to host a celebration ever since we found out about my position, and I have finally given it to them.

I shift my attention to the corner of the room where Tiberius stands, silently eyeing the crowd. This is the first time in days I’ve gotten any space from the detached soldier who follows my every movement. I am glad for the temporary separation. His presence itself places me on edge, making me anxious. I’ve lived my entire life able to read people within thirty seconds of meeting them, but this man gives me nothing. Not even mannerisms. His golden gaze falls on me, but he doesn’t look away nor does he react. He just watches me, forcing my lungs to constrict in my chest as I suddenly forget how to breathe.

I whip away from his glare, making my way through the ballroom to my parents. My mother catches my eye immediately. Her dark hair is intricately braided per our customs with golden fabric weaved into her braid signifying her status and victories. My father stands next to her, his arm resting on the small of her back as they speak to their guests. Like all marriages in the king’s class, my parents were arranged. My mother was at the top of her class, showing an emphasis on military strategy. She spent a few years at the knight’s class academy to up her physicality and became an unstoppable force that has given our dome many victories against our enemies. She was matched with my father who at the time was a promising candidate to be on the high council.

It is the highest governing body of Etherium second only to the king himself.

Not only was their marriage perfect on paper, but it helped change the course of Etherium by establishing another dome, bringing the grand total to five across the world. The Sheridan family name is one that rings power throughout Etherium. And we’ve only become stronger since my placement on the advisory council.

My father notices me before my mother does, stepping away from the group.

“Look who finally decided to grace us with her presence,” he smiles pulling me in an embrace and I fight the instinctual urge to push him away. My father has always been this way, overbearing in his affection. But it is who he is, and according to my mother, it is something she loves about him. As he steps back, my mother eyes me knowingly, giving me a squeeze on my shoulder as she places a kiss in the air above my cheek in greeting. She uses the proper way we are to greet each other, not the barbaric way my father insists on using.

“We are so proud of you,” my mother smiles as she gently squeezes my chin.

“The king himself will be attending with the royal family to congratulate you,” my father smiles. His comment earns murmurs of approval from his peers in attendance but I couldn’t care less about the king’s attendance. I’ve never liked the idea of a monarchy. To me, it dilutes the idea of Etherium; that the intelligent will always be on top. With a monarchy, only one bloodline will rule, regardless of IQ. It is why my job is so pertinent. The king cannot see the things that I do. In my eyes that makes him lacking in his ability to rule, but I am bound by the laws of Etherium to serve him, no matter my personal opinion.

“Have you seen Benjamin? I haven’t seen him,” I say.

My mother visibly frowns, looking at my father before pulling me away from the group.

“Your brother was stationed in Ethos. He left a few days ago. He said he was going to call you he didn’t?” she asks. Panic slams into my chest. I know exactly why I never received the call. I told Augustus to ignore all calls, even from my family. Because I was so busy with acclimating.

“I must’ve missed it,” I say softly.

Irritation at myself forms within me. I’ve always struggled with prioritizing my family. I don’t see the world in the way they do, nor do I see them in the way they see me. My emotions are something that has been absent most of my life due to the nature of my mind. It isn’t something I’ve ever stressed over or felt I was lacking in until now. Ethos is a troublesome dome with rising discord on the inside, especially since it is newer. My brother is like my mother, he excelled in military strategy which is probably why he was sent to assess the dome and calm the situation. And I missed his attempt to say goodbye.

“I’ll be sure to call him when I get home,” I say turning away from my mother. She grabs my arm before I can though.

“You aren’t leaving now, are you?” she asks.

I want to. I want to go home and call Benjamin if only to say hi. But I can tell by my mother’s tone and my father’s words earlier about the king, they want me to stay at least until the king shows up. We must always present as a family.

“Of course not. I’m going to check with my guard and see if he was told anything about Benjamin leaving,” I say quickly.

I doubt Tiberius knows anything. I’ve been avoiding him like I have everyone else for the past week. But I need to get away from my mother’s intimidating glare. So, I shuffle away from her, shifting my attention to the wall Tiberius once stood near. He isn’t there. I furrow my brow in confusion as I search the room for him, but he is nowhere to be found which is strange seeing as he is meant to protect my life. Even if it is my parent’s home. I silently make my way through the crowds of people, politely murmuring my thanks as they congratulate me until I finally reach the doors that lead into the hallway. My parent’s servants are stationed against the walls, their eyes straight ahead as I step past them.

“Have you seen my guard?” I ask the nearest one holding a tray of drinks. He bows slightly, his gaze shifting to the door to my father’s study.

“He and Mrs. Hightower entered a few minutes ago,” he says.

I raise a brow in confusion but make my way to my father’s door nonetheless. I place my ear against the door, but the thick wood makes it difficult to hear anything more than murmurs. I push the door open, just in time to see Lisa Hightower with her finger in Tiberius’s face, her own skin flushed in anger as she speaks to him.

“What is this?” I ask pulling both of their attention.

Tiberius shifts, looking at me with a blank expression but he doesn’t speak. He knows the rules for him speaking when there are two people from the upper class. But Lisa is quick to respond.

“My husband and I were the sponsors for Tiberius’s journey into the academy. I was just congratulating him,” she says quickly.

I shift my attention to Tiberius. His attention is once again focused on me, his golden gaze giving me nothing. But I can see from Lisa’s trembling tone and breathing that she is lying. I won’t question her though. Her husband, though in a lower class, is an important man. It’s not my business or priority what her true purpose is in berating Tiberius. I study him a second longer, and I immediately notice the flushed mark on his cheek.

She struck him.

“I need to speak with Tiberius pertaining to my brother. If you are finished?” I say.

Lisa hesitates slightly but decides against whatever she is thinking. She makes her way to the door, her demeanor calm. She keeps her head down, however, lifting her gaze to speak to me once more before leaving.

“Congratulations again, Olwen,” she says, placing her hand on my shoulder before exiting. I wait until the door is closed before turning my attention to Tiberius. I don’t speak as I approach, eyeing the red flush of his skin. And he doesn’t move when I place my palm against the inflamed skin. It’s warm under my touch.

“She hit you?” I ask.

Our eyes meet and I finally see something I can read. He’s warring with himself on whether or not to tell me the truth.

“Yes.”

I release his face, stepping back. The timbre of his voice is smooth. And even though he’s only said one word, my brain is going crazy trying to decipher it.

“Why?” I ask.

“I wasn’t respectful enough. I was eager to get back to my duties and in turn, disrespected her.”

I sense no lie. But something inside of me tells me there is more to his story.

“She is not to put her hands on you, Tiberius. Your life belongs to me now. She is not to disrespect it.”

He lowers his head.

“Yes, Miss Sheridan.”

I study him silently. I don’t like the use of titles. But I won’t tell him not to use it. I can’t blur the line between us in any way, especially when I have no grasp on who he is behind this facade. I release a breath, making my way to the door.

“I will speak to her before we leave-”

“No, please don’t. It was my fault. She did nothing wrong. It wasn’t my place and she reminded me of it.”

He seems intent on keeping me from speaking to her. I don’t know if it’s because of his gratitude for the Hightowers sponsoring him, or something else. I turn to face him, hiding my irritation and he meets my gaze head-on.

“You are no longer indebted to the Hightowers. Do you understand? Your guilt should not outweigh your duty to me,” I say.

“I understand-”

“I don’t think you do.” I push the door closed, crossing the room so we are inches from each other. His eyes rival the most brilliant gold as he looks at me, his unwavering aura remaining in its place. I ignore the beating of my heart, reminding myself of who I am to this man. I am not some silly schoolgirl. I am a woman from the most powerful family in Etherium. I will no longer allow him to fluster me.

I snatch his arm, my nails digging into the flesh now covered with my mark. Beneath the skin lies the chip I implanted myself, the chip that gives me ownership.

“As of last week, I own you. Every piece of you. Your name no longer matters as it is now attached to me. You have no say, no opinion, so when I tell you I am going to do something, you do not protest. You agree and thank God that He gave you the honor of taking an order from me. Do you understand?” I growl.

His eyes widen slightly, and his facade breaks for only a split second, but I see it. Not anger or hatred or even fear. Disgust. He covers it quickly, however.

“Yes, I understand.”

I release his arm.

“Good.”

A servant knocks lightly, opening the door to save Tiberius from my wrath, breaking the tension between us.

“Miss Olwen, the king has arrived.”