Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder by Alice Knightsky
Chapter 46- Too Sweet
**Rosalie’s POV**
My first ever fight with Ethan ended on good terms. I was no longer grounded in my room, but in return, I had a total of four guards with me at all times.
Georgia stuck her head around my door smiling at me. “You ready?”
I slid on my shoes and grabbed my bag. “Let’s go.”
The guards didn’t hesitate when I informed them Georgia was merely taking me on an afternoon walk on the ground floor like usual. Estrella made it known that exercise was important during pregnancy, and if I wanted easy labor, I would need to walk more.
“Georgia, where are we going? This isn’t the way…”
“Shhh! Do you not want to go to the market?”
“Excuse me?”
“It’s an outdoor space within the enclosure of the capital walls. The castle estate completely surrounds the market
Once a month, local people come to sell whatever they have to those of high society.”
Georgia wasn’t known for being patient, and she clearly wouldn’t wait for me to decide. “Coming or not? I’ll go by myself if you quit.”
I thought about it for a moment. Ethan never said I couldn’t exit the castle building. The market was directly in the center of the estate, in its open courtyard. Plus, I did still have the guards…so I was probably OK to go?
“Let’s do it!” I concluded, all excited.
“Woah… sounds like I really needed to twist your arms,” Georgia commented, arching an eyebrow. “You do realize that he is going to lose his s**t with you, right?”
I blinked at her innocently, and then explained, “Um…he said I just need to let him know.”
But we both knew he probably wouldn’t allow me to go to the market.
Georgia nodded with a huge grin, seemingly very proud of herself. “It’s better to ask forgiveness than seek permission. I’ve taught you well! Haha!”
When we got close to the gate, Georgia and I quickly took off in a quick jog towards the back stairs, which led down to the kitchens. From there, we could blend in with others as we made our way toward the market.
The guards realized where we were heading, but it was too late. When I glanced back, and one of them had left to report to Ethan.
“Still, we are going to be in so much trouble.” Georgia laughed as we went through another door to come out under the open sky.
I stared up at the blue sky as I inhaled the fresh air. “I’ve missed being outside.”
“Let’s shop.” She let out a chuckle and pulled me towards the stalls.
It was loud at the market. I was amazed by the variety of products. Clothes, accessories, produce, fur and handcrafted products. I could have spent days going from one stall to the other.
“Rosalie!” Georgia called out, tossing an apple my way.
“Oh, my goodness it’s so beautiful!” The gold and red colors swirled together, it was so unique compared to the regular, solid red ones I was used to in my home region.
“I bought it for you. Try it.”
She smiled as I took a large bite, my eyes widening at its sweetness.
I mumbled with my mouth full, “This is amazing.”
As I did so, Georgia handed me a basket full of fruit – Oranges, grapes, peaches… they were so colorful and juicy, and I couldn’t wait to taste them all!
Engrossed as I was in enjoying my delicious snack, I didn’t notice that the people around us had quiet down. “Georgia!”
Ethan’s dominating voice rang across the market He wasn’t loud, but somehow, everyone heard him. People stopped in their place and bowed their heads toward him out of respect.
“Busted,” Georgia mumbled to me as we both turned to face Ethan.
“Do you not have any sense of responsibility?!” Ethan scolded Georgia.
Georgia spared me an “l-told-you” glance.
It wasn’t right for me to hide behind Georgia. It was my own decision to come to the market.
I picked one grape from the basket and took a breath, then stepped towards Ethan.
“Ethan, I persuaded Georgia to come out with me,” I said, successfully drawing his attention to me. He wouldn’t do anything bad to a pregnant woman in public, right?
“Would you try this grape, please?”
Before he could turn down my offer, I shoved the deep purple grape into his mouth, forcing him to take a bite. “Delicious, isn’t it?”
Georgia looked at me, wide-eyed.
I forced a smile on my face, but my palms were sweating. I knew I was tempting my fate.
Ethan glared at me for a moment before chewing and swallowing the grape. In a low hiss, I heard him call my name in a warning tone, “Rosalie.”
Picking a fight with him wouldn’t help this situation. I’d learned that already. So, in response, I apologized. “Sorry that I made you worried again.”
He grabbed my hand and pulled me to the side, slightly away from prying ears.
“Why did you disobey me again?”
His tone had already softened, I noted. I was a little proud of my strategy.
I gave him an innocent and pleading look. “But I didn’t. The guard reported my whereabouts to you right away. I didn’t leave the castle. This is in the courtyard, right in the center of the castle grounds. There are guards everywhere, and I have Georgia with me.”
I lowered my head and apologized again. “…I am sorry if I worried you.”
He stared at me for a moment. “Still too dangerous.”
Without thinking twice, I let the words on my mind slip out. “I would love it if you spent the day with me here exploring, but…” I sighed, looking down. “I know you can’t.”
I lifted my head and sought out his eyes – they were as blue as the sunny sky.
Ethan gently grabbed my wrist, pulling me closer.
“Only this once.”
He paused, and then added, “No, too sweet.”
I beamed brightly at him – he meant the grape was too sweet.
Georgia was so shocked that she wasn’t able to speak, which was a first forthe young woman, who typically had a lot to say. However, her eyes told me what was going through her mind- “HE DIDN’T YELL AT YOU?!!”
I scurried back to the vendor. “I must have some more of these marvelous apples. Can I take six, please?”
The vendor hesitated in fear as his gaze traveled between Ethan and me. I turned to Ethan, waiting for him to say something.
He hesitated before nodding his head. “Six it is.”
The vendor handed me the bag, but before I could reach out, Ethan had already grabbed it. At the same time, he looked at one of the guards. Before I knew it, the basket in my hand was taken away from me as well.
“You shouldn’t carry weight, no matter how small it is.” He was firm, and I knew he had already made his biggest compromise, so I nodded my head.
Then he asked, “What else would you like to check out?”
Walking around the market with Ethan wasn’t as fun as I’d hoped. True, I enjoyed his company; but the problem was, everywhere we went, the crowd fell silent and no one dared to look up.
“I know you’re busy right now,” I replied. “I don’t want to keep you.”
As much as I would have liked to spend time with Ethan, I didn’t want to ruin Georgia’s fun coming to the market. Hopefully, I could persuade him to leave.
“I have time until my dinner meeting.”
Georgia scoffed, looping her arm through my own. “That’s not true. I know that for a fact.”
“Georgia, this has nothing to do with you,” Ethan warned, seething with anger over her words. It was obvious that he wouldn’t allow me to stay at the market without his supervision.
I shook my head and smiled at both of them. “Actually, I am a bit tired. Maybe it would be best for me to go back to my room.”
“I’ll walk you back,” Ethan said quickly, agreeing to my plan.
“Georgia, see you around dinner,” I said with a smile. “Enjoy the market, and maybe pick up something fun for me too.
“Don’t worry. I’ll enjoy myself.” Georgia gave me a wink.
Ethan seemed to be very pleased with my choice, and he walked me back to the castle without delay.
I tried to start a conversation to break the silence. “I feel bad about abandoning Georgia.” “She’ll be fine.” Ethan’s answer was as concise as usual.
I smiled. I had no doubt that Georgia would still have fun without me. She always knew how to make the most of life. That was something I was so envious of.
“Thank you for walking me back to my room.”
I was expecting him to drop me off by the door, but he entered without saying a word. “Our room,” he corrected me.
Then he strode into the suite and pulled out his phone. “Talon, bring the files to my room.” He would spend the rest of the afternoon with me?
I had almost forgotten that this was, indeed, supposed to be a shared space. He hadn’t come back at all lately… and I didn’t need to ask to know where he might have been.
I tasted bitterness in my mouth, but I decided to not let that ruin my afternoon.
“So… grapes are too sweet. How about some apples?”
I realized that I really didn’t know Ethan at all. What was his favorite color? What food did he like? To my surprise, he nodded his head.
I picked up an apple and was about to wash it for him when I saw him frown.
I was confused. What was wrong with the apple I picked?“That one.”
I looked towards where his gaze was – the one I had taken a bite from.
“Uh – oh, sure!” I clumsily washed that apple again and brought it to Ethan. But he had no intention to take it from
His narrowed eyes made it clear… he wanted me to feed him.
My face was burning red, and I felt my heart racing. I lifted the apple to his lips. He took a bite, and his tongue brushed over my fingers.
I felt as if I was struck by electricity and couldn’t breathe. It was so unfair! This man was deadly, but I couldn’t stop my eagerness to be close to him.
How I wished I had never learned the truth! That way, I could have lied to myself and enjoyed every moment with him … until the day I died.
The thought of his order to end my life wiped the smile off my face, and my pounding heartbeat stilled. “What’s wrong?” he asked, frowning.
“Nothing…just a bit tired,” I murmured.
Luckily, a knock at the door rescued me from his grip.
“Alpha, I brought the files.” It was Talon’s voice.
“If it’s okay with you, I’ll go get changed now,” I said. Ethan nodded and went to open the door.
I dashed into the bedroom before he could see my tears fall down.