The Bride He Hates-Chapter 82: A New Ghost From Past

It had been three days since Lyanna and Azrael had a real conversation. They saw each other, had formal interactions during meals, and slept in the same bed. But they weren’t together.

Azrael left their chambers before dawn each morning and returned long after Lyanna had gone to bed. If she were still awake, he’d enter quietly, change clothes, and fall asleep without a word. He was exhausted and caught up in whatever crisis he was managing.

She tried not to take it personally. But it felt personal, especially after their fight in the library, the unresolved tension about the council’s pressure for an heir, along with her secret knowledge about her possible infertility.

When she woke on the fourth day, Azreal was gone again. But this time there was a note on his pillow:

Council meeting about border attacks. Will update you tonight.

Will update you? Not "let’s discuss" or "your opinion is needed."

Lyanna crumpled the note. Soon, Clara entered with breakfast.

"Good morning, Your Majesty. Did you sleep well?"

"Yes." She lied.

"His Majesty left word that he’d like you to attend a council session this afternoon in the main chamber."

Finally, an invitation to be included.

Lyanna should have felt happy. Instead, she felt annoyed that it took three days of exclusion for him to remember she existed.

"I’ll be there." Lyanna replied.

She then began dressing for the council meeting.

The council chamber was packed. There were not just the usual advisors, but also military commanders, representatives from allied courts, and intelligence operatives.

Azrael stood at the head of the table, pointing to a map. He looked up when she entered and gave her a small smile. Lyanna ignored him and took her seat at his right hand.

"We were discussing the attack patterns." Azrael said, turning back to the map. "Seven border territories were hit simultaneously three nights ago. Casualties were moderate but still concerning. No one had claimed responsibility."

"The Holy Order?" Lyanna joined the conversation.

"The Order was decimated months ago." Adrian said. "They lack the resources for this scale of operation."

"The Order had significant infrastructure." Lyanna replied. "And we didn’t destroy it completely. We just captured their leaders. If they’ve regrouped under new leadership, coordinated strikes would be exactly their strategy."

"That’s actually a strong theory, Your Majesty. We’ve been thinking vampire enemies, but the Order has motive and potentially the capability." Lord Cedric said.

"I’ll have my people investigate the Order." Victor said.

"Any other insights, Queen Lyanna?" Azrael asked, and she couldn’t tell if the question was sincere or condescending.

"Not until I’ve seen all the intelligence reports." She replied. "Since I wasn’t included in the initial briefings."

The temperature in the room suddenly dropped. Azrael was angry.

"We’ll discuss that later."

"Of course." She replied with a polite but fake smile.

The meeting continued for another two hours.

When the council finally adjourned, Azrael tried to leave with the others, but Lyanna’s voice stopped him.

"A word, Your Majesty."

He turned back, waving off the remaining advisors.

"If this is about...

"Three days." She cut him off. "It’s been three days of you avoiding me, shutting me out. And then you invite me to the council meeting like you’re doing me a favour?"

"I’ve been busy..."

"I’m your wife." She snapped. "I’m supposed to be part of managing crises, not just informed about them later!"

"You’re right." His answer surprised her. "I should have included you from the beginning. I was just trying to handle it myself, not burden you..."

"I don’t need you shielding me from the difficult parts of ruling! I need my partner back! The man who actually talks to me, who values my opinion, who doesn’t disappear for days!"

"I’m here right now..."

"No, you’re not!" She gestured at him. "You’re physically present, but mentally you’re in your king mode, where I don’t exist except as a political piece to your position."

"I can’t be your attentive husband every minute, Lyanna. I have a kingdom to run. I’ve responsibilities..."

"So do I!" She slammed her hand on the table. "Or did you forget you have a wife too? That this is supposed to be a partnership?"

They stared at each other across the table, both angry and hurt.

"You’re right. I shut you out. I’ve been stressed about the attacks, about the council pressure regarding heirs, about..." He stopped. "I’m sorry."

The apology deflated some of her anger.

"I’m not asking you to be attentive every second. I know you have responsibilities. I’m just asking you to include me in those responsibilities instead of handling everything yourself and telling me about it later."

"I promise to do better."

They walked from the council chamber to their private chambers.

"I can’t let my guard down." He said. "Not with an active threat, not with you possibly in danger, and not with everything we’ve built at risk."

"So you’ll just work until you collapse?"

"If that’s what’s needed."

Lyanna stepped behind him and put her hands on his shoulders. He immediately relaxed at her touch.

"You’re just one person, even if you are an ancient vampire. You need rest and help."

"I need to keep you safe." He turned to face her, and she saw the vulnerability on his face that he usually hid. "I can’t lose you. The council wants an heir, threats are emerging, and I can’t shake the feeling that something terrible is coming. And if I rest, if I let my guard down for even a moment..."

"Then I’ll watch." She said, taking his hands. "We’ll take turns. You rest tonight. I’ll coordinate with the intelligence. Tomorrow, you take over and I’ll rest. We’ll work in shifts until this crisis is resolved."

"Okay." He replied after thinking for a minute.

"Okay?"

"I’ll sleep. You can coordinate with the team tonight. But Lyanna, if anything happens, if anything feels wrong, you wake me immediately."

"I will."

"I mean it. I don’t care if it seems minor or if you think you can handle it. You wake me."

"I promise."

He pulled her into his arms and rested his forehead on her head.

"I’m sorry I shut you out. I still fall into old habits when I’m stressed. It’s not an excuse, just an explanation."

"I know. We both still fall into old habits ." She thought of her own secret research, the fertility information she was still hiding. "But we’ll work on it."

A sudden knock at the door interrupted them.

"Your Majesties, forgive the intrusion, but we have a situation." Victor said.

Azrael opened the door and saw Victor looking genuinely worried.

"What happened?" Azrael asked.

"A vampire noble from Crimson Dawn Court has arrived at our gates requesting asylum. She claims to have information about the attacks, about who’s behind them and what their real goal is."

"Who is she?" Lyanna asked.

"Lady Sienna Nightshade. An ancient vampire, formerly part of Queen Elise’s inner circle before the betrayal." Victor paused. "She specifically asked for His Majesty by name. She says she has a history with him and will only speak to him."

Azrael’s expression went blank.

"Bring her to the reception hall. I’ll meet with her there."

"We’ll meet with her together." Lyanna said and Azrael nodded.

Ten minutes later, they stood side by side on the dais, as the doors opened and Lady Sienna Nightshade entered.

She was stunning. When she looked at Azrael, her cool expression changed intosomething warmer, and more intimate.

"Hello, Azrael. It’s been a long time."

Azrael? Not His Majesty??

Lyanna’s stomach clenched as she watched Azrael’s face, noticing the recognition and the complicated emotions on his face. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Great!!!! Another woman from his past.

Sienna then looked at Lyanna.

"And she must be your bride who has caused so much fuss." She smiled.