Chapter 10: Duke Winston
Vishiea’s POV
“Let’s welcome. Lady Anastasia Cullen from Cullenfield!”
I looked around with a confident smile on my lips. They were all looking at me. It seems like no one recognise me as the woman they exiled before.
I started to come closer to the table. And I’ve noticed that the king is still not here. That’s great. One of the servants adjusted the chair for me. I nodded and murmured, “Thank you.”
“My pleasure, my lady.” He replied and bowed. He moved away and went back to his fellow servant in a corner.
“It’s nice to see you here, Miss Cullens,” I looked at the person who said that. It was a man in his late twenties. He looked handsome but not my type.
“I’m happy to be here too, Mister---” His brow slightly furrowed when he realised I had no idea who he was. I’ve seen him before but never bothered to know him or his name.
But the way he looks, it seems like he’s from the upper class—a duke or marquess. I don’t really care.
“Oh, I’m Duke Kian Winston from Vinland, my lady,” he introduces himself. I see, “All right, Mister Winston. It’s my pleasure to meet you.” I casually replied.
“You’re something else, Miss Cullens. Such a mysterious young lady. May I know how old you are? You looked so young to be a duchess,” I raised an eyebrow. Too young to be a duchess? No, age doesn’t matter. It’s the way how you rule a place.
“I may look young, but believe me, Duke Winston, I’m older than you think.” He laughed in amusement. “I never thought of you to have a sense of humour, Miss Cullens.” My brow furrowed.
“What do you mean?” I asked. He laughed again, “You sure don’t read some news. You’re quite famous, Miss Cullen,” Famous from what?
“Aside from you’re the youngest Duchess. You are known to be a heartless woman. You rejected many men who wanted to court you. You broke their heart,” I looked at him in disbelief. Really? I never heard such a thing about me like that.
“And one more thing. I’ve even heard something more interesting about you,” He added. “If you don’t mind, kindly share it with me?” He nodded and grinned.
“Is it true that you’re killing someone for fun?” what the hell did he get that idea? I never kill for fun; I never will. I shook my head, “That’s not true,” I firmly denied. He nodded, “Just a dark rumour then. Anyway, I never believe it. You will never kill someone for fun, right?”
I nodded, “Of course. But maybe if I’m annoyed,” I replied, looking directly into his eyes. I saw how he swallowed his saliva—scared now?
“I like your humour, Miss Cullens. Anyway, I’m pleased to meet you too,” I only nodded. I just noticed now that they were all listening to our conversation. I shrugged and ignored their stares.
A few minutes after, someone arrived in the dining room. This time, it was the king, his beta and his fiancée. I saw his fiancée saying something to him, more likely whining.
“Seriously, Dar! I’m not joking. Can you kick her out here? She’s annoying the hell out of me!” Darius kept on ignoring her.
“Darius! Are you even listening to me? Come on! Darius!” The edge of my lips slowly rose in amusement.
“Honey! Can you stop walking?” She said in annoyance. Darius stopped walking and glared at her. “Shut up!” he hissed. Rachelle’s eyes widened, “But…”
Darius only glared at her, so she couldn’t do anything but close her lips tightly. They continued walking again until they reached our destination.
The world seemed to stop spinning when our eyes suddenly met. He looked at me in shock, as if he couldn’t believe what he saw. He only stared at me, unable to say something or even move.
I bravely meet his look. At this moment, I prove to myself how I hate him. I wanted to ask him why he had abandoned and betrayed me before.
“Who are you looking at?” Rachelle asked him while looking at the place he was looking at. When she saw me, her brow furrowed but widened in shock.
I’ve recognised her now. She’s the same woman whom I caught him cheating with before. Oh, this is how destiny plays us, huh? Quite entertaining.
“Vishiea.” A word comes out to her lips. I’m glad they still remember me as they should. “This can’t be real. You’re not her,” she murmured. This can be true. Nope, this is true. I will make them pay.
“Vishiea…” Darius slowly moved closer to me. Rachelle tried to stop him, but he removed her hand from his arm. He was determined to talk to me.
“Vishiea,” he repeated. I stood up when he was closer, “It’s you. I thought I was only hallucinating a while ago.”
I stood straight and met his gaze, “Pardon, your majesty. But you mistook me for someone else. I’m Anastasia Cullens,” I introduced myself.
I saw how his facial expression changed. He looked serious now but still unconvinced. “Yeah, it can’t be. She’s long gone,” he murmured. Long gone, huh? He never failed to amuse me.
“I’m pleased to meet you, your majesty…” he looked at me intently. I know he was debating in his mind. A part of him thought it was me, Vishiea Craine. And some parts were saying I’m not.
Rachelle slowly approached us. She was glaring at me now, “That’s right. She can’t be her. Vishiea’s gone. She won’t return, no, she can’t return anymore.”
I wanted to correct her, but I stopped myself. I can always return whenever I want to. Rachelle Wu, this is how far you have gone. Is it worth it to steal him away from me? Anyway, I don’t want someone who cheated on me and even abandoned me when I needed him the most.
“Right. I sincerely apologise, Miss Cullens,” I only nodded. “No worries, Your Majesty,” I replied and bowed. I looked at him again, smiling widely, even if I wanted to curse him.
“Come on, Dar. I’m starving. Can we start eating?” Rachelle pulled him away. The smile on my lips drops. That’s it; think about who I am. Not so long, so long from now, I know they will know who I am.
“Everyone, I’m glad to see you all here. Please,” he said and signed us to start eating. While eating, I noticed three people stealing a glance at me. Duke Winston, Rachelle, and Darius. I just kept on ignoring them. They can stare at me all they want; I don’t mind.
“Miss Cullens,” I looked up when I heard the beta’s voice. He is Jaxon Steel, Darius' friend. “Can I ask you something?” he asked. I nodded, “Sure, tell me.”
He nodded as well, “How is your mother? I have never seen her for a decade,” My brow furrowed. He knows Mother Kiara personally?
“Still the same,” I answered shortly. He looked at me as if he was waiting for something else. “Her disease worsened, so I’m the one who’s here,” I added.
“That’s very unfortunate; I hope for her fast recovery.” I was hoping the same. Darius faked a cough, so everyone looked at him. He was looking at me seriously.
“Can I ask you something too, Miss Cullens?” I nodded. Sure, you can even ask how I hate you.
“How old are you?” I was slightly caught off guard by his question. What? He’s asking my age.
“That’s an odd question, but yeah, I’m twenty-five years old your majesty.”