Chapter 18: Sir Nathan                                                                                                                                 
 
Vishiea’s POV
 
“Are you ready for the first night of the Blue Moon Festival?” I heard Yana say while we were walking in the hallway. I invited her to join me for breakfast outside earlier. She was a little hesitant, but I managed to convince her.
 
“The first gathering will happen tonight, right?” she continued. Yes, she’s right. I almost forgot about that. I let out a sigh before talking.
 
“Do I need to be ready?” She laughed at my answer. “Of course, my lady. Isn’t it the first time you’re attending the kingdom’s gathering?” She asked me. I chuckled, yes,
 She’s right.
 
Although I have attended gatherings before, this one will be different because it will happen inside the main city of the kingdom.
“I’m always ready, Yana,” she nodded. “I’m sure you are, my lady. Anyway, I heard that you and King went out for breakfast yesterday. And lady Rachelle was furious about it,” she asked me again. This time I looked at her.
 
“Does everyone know about it?” I asked her. She slowly nodded, “Yes, even the council. I heard my fellow maids talking about that matter yesterday.”
 
I let out a sigh; I expected that already. News always has wings. “I never intended to go out with his majesty yesterday, but he insisted,” I said awkwardly.
 
“That’s why Rachelle was mad yesterday. She even broke the expensive base in their room,” I cringed. That’s unfortunate, but I kind of like it. The pain I felt before is nothing to what she felt now. I’ll make her life miserable without her knowing it.
 
“Is she always like that?” I asked her and resumed walking again. She nodded, “Yes. I’ve been working with her for so long, and she’s like that already before.” That’s interesting.
 
“Can I ask you something?” I wanted to know why are they still together. Darius looks like he doesn’t love her.
 
“Rachelle is not his mate, right?”
 
“Yes, she’s not. If you’re wondering why they were still together, because his majesty feels guilty,” she said, making me look at her.
 
“What do you mean?” She looked at me, slightly shocked. Why? Is there something that I did not know that I must know?
 
“You don’t have any idea, aren’t you?” I shook my head. Aside from the news about their engagement, I did not know anything about them.
 
“Three years ago, his majesty got her pregnant,” she stopped talking to see my reaction. I expected that, before I got exiled here, they were fuck buddies.
 
“What happened then? Where is their child?” I asked with curiosity in my voice. She let out a sigh, “I’m right. You’re clueless, my lady.”
 
“She suffered a miscarriage at the two-month mark of her pregnancy. That was the moment also his majesty changed the way he treated her,” My brow furrowed. He treated her so badly after they lost their child; that’s cruel.
 
“But I can’t blame his majesty because it is Rachelle’s fault,” she continued. That’s interesting. “How could you say that so?” she looked at me.
 
“It is her fault that they lost the child. She’s reckless and doesn’t care about their child. I even wondered if it is really his majesty’s child,” she answered. I blinked twice and nodded. Wow, that’s quite dramatic. I may not like them, but I can’t help but feel sorry for the child. He or she did not even get a chance to see the world.
 
“Anyway, please, we should stop talking about this. I’m afraid someone will hear us and might get us in trouble," I changed the topic.
 
“You’re right, my lady.” she agreed. We walked in the hallway silently until we met someone halfway. He’s kind of familiar to me. I looked at him intently. My face lit up when I recognised him. I was about to greet him when I remembered my new identity.
 
The smile on my lips dropped. Damn, I can’t greet him. He slowly halted when he saw me. I saw confusion in his eyes, the same as curiosity. Aside from Darius, he’s the one I know who can recognise me as Vishiea.
 
“Greetings, ladies,” he greeted politely. I nodded my head to acknowledge him. “Greetings, Sir Nathan,” Yana greeted him back. Sir? So, he became a knight of this kingdom.
 
He nodded, but he was still looking at me. “This is Lady Anastasia, the Duchess of Cullenfield,” Yana introduced me. I know he’s wondering why I’m familiar to him. A soft smile came across my lips as I extended my hand in front of him.
 
"I’m pleased to meet you, Sir Nathan,” he was a little hesitant at first, but he accepted my hand. “Likewise, Lady Anastasia.”
 
I value the way he tried to help me and my family before. He’s the only one I can rely on when my mother died and when my father was held on trial. He even offered help when the former king exiled me, but I declined. I don’t want him and his family to get involved in the trouble that my family is facing.
 
“If you excuse me, my lady, I’ll take my leave now,” I only nodded my head and watched him turn his back on us. I owe him a lot before; I should thank him soon.
 
I heard Yana faked a cough, so I looked at her. “He’s handsome, right, my lady?” She said with admiration in her voice. I nodded because that’s the truth. Nathan’s not only a good-looking man, but he’s also gentlemanly and kind.
 
“Oh my gosh, my lady. Do you like him?” I quickly shook my head. Not romantically, though. I like him as a friend or a brother.
 
“No, he’s handsome but not my thing. Anyway, he’s a knight?” I asked her. I resumed walking again. She nodded, “Yes, he became one of the respected knights four years ago.”
 
“He’s also become the king’s guard so that he can be seen around here. But most of the time, he’s on a mission,” she continued.
 
“Quite a busy man then. Is he married?” She looked at me with malice in her eyes. Was she teasing me? That’s a harmless question.
 
“No, he’s not. But I think he’s been looking for his girl for a long time now. I envy his mate; she’ll be having a man like him. Such a lucky girl,” I nodded. Indeed, she’s a lucky girl.
 
“How about you? Did you already find your mate?” I asked her. Her eyes were saddened; I quickly knew the answer.
 
“I did. Well, quite a long story,” I raised an eyebrow. Oh, she found him. I wonder why she is sad, then?
 
“May I know why you looked sad?” She smiled sadly and took a deep breath. “I found him, but he’s married now. Although we already agreed that we should forget each other and start with someone new. I saw that he was happy with her, so… I let him go,” I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.
 
When the first time I met her, she’s energetic and looks like she’s not experiencing something like this. Behind every smile, there’s always a sadness.
 
“We should not talk about this, haha. I’m not bitter; I’m genuinely happy for him. If that’s how our fate works, I’ll accept it.” I nodded in agreement.
 
Darius betrayed me six years ago, and slowly, I accepted it. But that doesn’t mean I’ll let them be happy. I’ve become miserable before; they should experience that, too.