Chapter 12: Fire on Fire
Vishiea’s POV
“I apologise for my excessive enthusiasm. Please, don’t take it to heart,” she hastily remarked upon noticing my reaction. I shook my head and smiled.
 
“It’s not a big deal. I simply never anticipated someone like you would know me,” I replied.  I knew her before, but we did not talk because she lived abroad. Although, I’ve seen her once.
 
“Oh, thank you. If you don’t mind, can we be friends?” She asked with hope in her eyes. I stared at her, thinking what will I answer. I don’t trust anyone of them here, but… she seemed so lovely; why not.
 
“Sure. I would love to,” I answered. Sometimes, you need to be friends with your enemies. The smile on her lips widened as she sat down next to me.
 
“Great! Anyway, please resume eating. And I’m sorry if I’m annoying right now,” she apologised. I nodded, “No worries. I kind of like your energetic personality,” I said honestly.
 
“Come on, don’t flatter me so much,” she said shyly. I chuckled and resumed eating. Before I started seating, I looked around the area. I noticed that Darius was staring at me. I nodded and smiled. He bounced back and averted his gaze.
 
Our connection remains because we never had the chance to reject each other—however, our bonds are kind of weak and almost unnoticeable now.
 
I ate in peace until the VIPs who had joined the lunch began to leave one by one. “Thank you for the meal, your majesty,” they said, showing their gratitude and bidding him farewell.
 
Darius nodded as he acknowledged them. “My pleasure,” he replied. They bowed their head before leaving altogether. I was about to say goodbye too, when I remembered he wanted to talk to me after lunch.
 
I inhaled deeply and looked around. I noticed that it was me, Darius, Jaxon, Cassie, and Kian left. I looked up when I saw Duke Winston standing up from his chair. He bowed to the king, “Thank you for the meal, your majesty. I’ll take my leave now,” he said politely.
 
“You may take your leave now,” he answered without even looking at him. Well, that’s kind of rude. Kian only nodded and looked at me. “I’m delighted to meet you again, Lady Anastasia. See you around,” he said and smiled widely.
 
I nodded, “The feeling is mutual, Duke Winston---” he looked at me intently. “Please, just call me Kian,” he cut me off. Oh, that’s unusual for someone like him to say that. Many of the Dukes and Duchesses I know never allow someone to call them by their names that easily.
 
“All right, Kian,” the edge of his lips rose. “Great, I’m leaving now.” I only nodded and watched him leave. When he was gone, Jaxon stood up also. “I still have something to do. I’m also leaving now,” He excused himself.
 
Cassie looked at him, “Are you going to the camp? Can I go with you?” Cassie asked him. Jaxon gave her a look for a few seconds, “Even if I said no, you’ll still come,” he answered. Cassie laughed hard, “You know me very well, my dear cousin. All right, let’s go now!” She exclaimed.
 
Jaxon shook his hand, “All right. Come on.”
 
A sigh escaped from my lips. He looked at me, then looked around. All of the maids inside nodded their heads and left the room. Now, I was left alone with him.
 
I remained silent as I waited for his word. A sigh escaped his lips as he rose from his seat, causing me to gaze in his direction. Slowly, he drew closer. He only stopped when he was a few meters away from me.
 
“Stop pretending, Vishiea. I know it’s you,” he said with a serious tone. I was right. I couldn’t help but grin mentally. I’m aware that he remembers me. We’ve grown up together, so it is impossible for him to forget me.
 
However, I wasn’t going to give him any satisfaction. I had the option to deny his claims about my identity. The Vishiea he once knew was a thing in the past; now, I am Anastasia—the new and better version of me.
 
I looked at him with a serious expression before rising to my feet. “I am confident that I have no understanding of your words, your majesty. It seems you have confused me with someone else. My name is Anastasia, not Vishiea,” I remarked firmly.
 
He gazed at me, clearly at a loss for words. Just as he was about to talk, I talked first. “I don’t know the person you are talking about, but I think she holds a significant place in your heart. If you don’t mind, your majesty, could you tell me who she is?” I asked him.
 
He anticipated for a few seconds before he shook his head, “No, she’s no one,” he seriously said and sighed. Ouch, should I feel pain with his words? I’m not no one for him?
 
“All right, pardon me,” he nodded and took his leave. I watched him walk away from me. I sensed his curiosity, and he was upset. He wanted to ask numerous questions, but he chose his silence.
 
When he was gone, a playful smirk formed on my lips. That’s it, Darius, be upset. I prefer not to disclose my identity at the moment. After all, where’s the enjoyment in doing so? I believe there’s a suitable time for everything.
 
At this moment, I made up my mind. He had abandoned me in the past, making me heartbroken. I intended to captivate his heart once more until he utterly depended on me. And once I’m done, I’ll walk away, leaving him behind.
 
I have known him very well in the past. I know the things that can melt his heart. Rachelle is not a problem at all. I can easily ruin their relationship like the way she ruined us before. Moreover, I sense that Darius doesn’t love her at all.
 
Who will treat their loved ones something like that? Oh well, I’m pretty happy to say that at least he treated me differently before. He only changed a few months before our anniversary.
 
“The game began. Fire on fire, Darius,” I mumbled as I started to leave the dining room.