ALL Chapters & Episodes of Happily Ever After by Jayson - Page 4

RPOV—One Month LaterA raindrop landed on my window.I pressed my finger to the glass that separated us, tracing its path as it clumsily slithered down. It collided with other raindrops along the way; however, that only drew it closer to its fall. Before I realized it, my finger ran out of glass to glide on, and the raindrop vanished, now replaced by its brethren that fell from the depressing sky."Wouldn't it be wonderful, if we could disappear and be forgotten as easily as raindrops?"Startled, I jerked around and found Lissa standing in the doorway of my bedchamber. I began to relax at her presence, but then I noticed that her jade-green eyes were troubled, and she wore a black dress that starkly contrasted her pale skin. Something—someone—was bothering her, and I immediately knew the cause of her distress."Can I talk to you?" my ex-stepsister asked, fidgeting with the hem of her lacy sleeve."Of course. Come sit with me." Lissa wordlessly joined me on my bed and folded her legs u

Thirty Two - A Rose's Promise

Happily Ever After/Jayson

February 20th, 1686RPOVEven though I'd been resuming my education for a month, it still felt strange being at Fairston Academy. Having a student's psyche seemed inconceivable—ridiculous, even. How could I bring myself to textbook reading and paper writing, when I'd experienced ordeals that were more life-changing and traumatic than other seventeen-year-olds' would ever be? I'd lost my mother. I'd nearly been murdered. I'd been raped. I was engaged to a prince.I'd outgrown an innocent life.All these thoughts flowed through my mind, as I walked with Lissa and Jill into the school's main building. Their sense of displacement was gone, and comfort filled their pale and slender bodies. Relaxation shone in their jade-green eyes, and for a moment, jealousy seized me.They were so fortunate to escape all the hurt I'd went through—to avoid all the suffering I was battling every day. Coming to school must've felt so normal and relieving to them. They must've felt like they had never left an

Thirty Three

Happily Ever After/Jayson

RPOV—Two Weeks Later"Are you excited for this evening?" asked Lissa, running her nimble fingers through my dark, luscious tresses. I sat in front of my giant, full-length mirror, watching as she carefully and expertly styled my hair. Her jade-green eyes stared at my reflection expectantly, waiting for an answer. Silence hung around us as I was trying to think of what to say.Prince Adrian and I had still been courting over the past couple of weeks, yet I didn't think I was wholeheartedly into our relationship as much as he was. Prince Adrian had showered me with gifts, took me to multiple venues for romantic dates, and dropped me off at Fairston Academy and picked me up. Everyone now knew that I was his territory, and no one challenged him. He was making the message insanely clear.With Prince Adrian's party being tonight, I felt both reluctant and enthusiastic. My brain was demanding me to be energetic and absolutely interested in the entire event; however, my heart dreaded having t

Thirty Four

Happily Ever After/Jayson

January 6th, 1686DPOVThe ballroom was nicely coming together. It was early afternoon, and event planners were bumbling throughout the majestic room, making sure that everything was in place for my family's annual ball. I could honestly say that I looked forward to this every year—I took joy in reuniting with people I hadn't seen in a while and meeting wonderful maidens from all over the world.A small woman in a sophisticated dress came up to me, a notebook and quill clutched in her aging hands. She had graying, polished hair tied into a tight bun, and her eyes darted anxiously. "We're making significant progress, your excellency, but I'm not certain if we'll finish in time," she swiftly began in Russian.I surveyed the area, taking in the exquisitely clean, marble floors; silver chairs neatly positioned at round tables covered with pure white tablecloths and adorned with wintry centerpieces; light drapes against the commodious, glass windows; an open dance floor; crystal chandelier

Thirty Five

Happily Ever After/Jayson

Warning: this chapter contains sexual content. Reader discretion is advised.RPOV"Are you all right?" a concerned, feminine voice wondered.I lifted my head against my lethargic body's wishes, feeling the complaint of my stiff bones and muscles. I felt so drained and restless—I had no clue if it was morning, afternoon, or evening. A yawn suddenly erupted from my mouth, and I rubbed my eyes, dazed and confused. "What time is it? Where am I?" I managed to speak.The voice spoke again, this time informative, and I realized that it was Lissa. "It's half past noon, Rose," she told me. "Why on earth are you still in bed? You missed breakfast, and we're supposed to be having lunch."I rolled off my stomach and sat up, meeting my stepsister's gaze. Her jade-green eyes were so curious and puzzled and worried…She deserved an explanation about why I slept in so late, or more precisely, barely slept at all. An unbearably haunting voice inside my head had been pestering me for approximately 12 ho

Thirty Six

Happily Ever After/Jayson

APOV A stout, middle-aged crewman ran into my quarters, out of breath and riddled with panic. It took me a while to realize that someone had intruded on my romantic interlude with Sydney, until she squealed and hastened in covering up her naked body. I climbed out of bed and grabbed my shirt that was on the wooden floor. "What is it that you want?" I demanded, bristling with annoyance. Whatever it was, it had better be good enough to interrupt an intimate evening with my wife. The crewman didn't respond—he was adamantly focused on Sydney's bare form, his wide eyes glazed with lust. I slapped him across the face, causing him to yelp and rub his cheek. "Don't you ever look at my wife in such a way," I growled. "Answer the question, you perverted bastard. I haven't got all night." He swiftly recovered, but words refused to leave his mouth for several moments. He was quivering all over, and a sheet of sweat broke out over his feverish flesh. I was beginning to grow insanely worried, so

Thirty Seven

Happily Ever After/Jayson

DPOV The rest of us stared at her with our mouths agape. I couldn't understand why they were falling behind schedule this year out of all years. The Ivashkovs and Sages always attended my family's ball… "Do you think…do you think they're dead?" Rose squeaked, her chestnut-brown eyes watering and body tensing in anticipation of terrible news. I swallowed deep and hard, resting my hand on her back out of comfort. Svetlana sighed and shook her head. "I don't know, Miss Mazur, but if they took the North Sea to get here, they could've died from the chilling temperatures and volatile waves this time of year. A lot of travelers suffer from hypothermia and—" "Go to Admiral Mikhail Tanner and tell him that he needs to send a naval fleet of rescuers. Be sure to explain the purpose of this. If he defies me in any way, tell him that I'll relieve him of his duties and make him a peasant," my mother ordered, her voice low and cold, her dark brown eyes void of any exaggeration. "It isn't certain

Thirty Eight

Happily Ever After/Jayson

Warning: this chapter contains sexual content. Reader discretion is advised.RPOV"Are you all right?" a concerned, feminine voice wondered.I lifted my head against my lethargic body's wishes, feeling the complaint of my stiff bones and muscles. I felt so drained and restless—I had no clue if it was morning, afternoon, or evening. A yawn suddenly erupted from my mouth, and I rubbed my eyes, dazed and confused. "What time is it? Where am I?" I managed to speak.The voice spoke again, this time informative, and I realized that it was Lissa. "It's half past noon, Rose," she told me. "Why on earth are you still in bed? You missed breakfast, and we're supposed to be having lunch."I rolled off my stomach and sat up, meeting my stepsister's gaze. Her jade-green eyes were so curious and puzzled and worried…She deserved an explanation about why I slept in so late, or more precisely, barely slept at all. An unbearably haunting voice inside my head had been pestering me for approximately 12 ho

Thirty Nine

Happily Ever After/Jayson

CW: Graphic depictions of physical and sexual violence. Reader discretion is advised.RPOVJanuary 9th, 1686Today is the day where my precious dreams will come true. I am going to spend a magical evening with Cesarevich Dimitri, the dearest love of my life. We will dine and wine and dance the night away, with the stars and moon as our most ethereal spectators.Even though there will be hundreds, probably thousands of guests at the annual ball, it will feel like it is only me and him. However, these experiences will only occur if I am indeed alive to live them, and according to Ms. Yeva Belikova, his clairvoyant grandmother, I am going to have to kiss the world and everyone I know goodbye.Unless I somehow change my fate.If there is a next time,Rosemarie MazurI wrote the entry early in the morning, and the dark quill and velvety journal almost felt foreign in my hands. It seemed as if I hadn't recorded my thoughts in a long time; however, it was probably just my imagination.The re

Forty

Happily Ever After/Jayson

DPOVMy royal dresser eased me into an ornate, pure-white jacket adorned with numerous, silver buttons that vertically ran down my torso. Black fur lined its collar and hems, while metallic patterns swirled in between. Black trousers covered my legs, tucked into equally dark, knee-length boots decorated with lighter swirls. My brown hair fell around my face, lightly brushing my shoulders, as a lavish headpiece stood a foot tall atop my skull."You look incredibly handsome, your imperial highness," my royal dresser said in Russian, his eyes glowing with pride. "The maidens will certainly admire the outfit I've put together for you tonight." I gave him a smile, my body filling with nervous excitement as I thought of Rose. I couldn't wait for her to see me tonight—I had enough faith that бабушки's vision wouldn't come true—and marvel at how much effort I'd put into looking attractive for her.Yet, most importantly, I couldn't wait to see her."They absolutely will," I agreed in Russian,