Chapter 21: Mark My Word
Vishiea's POV
Before I could even get away, he pulled me back, causing my head to hit his chest. I gave him a sharp look. But he remained serious-looking.
I tried to pull my hand away, but he only tightened his grip. "Let me go, your Majesty," he shook his head.
What does he really need from me? I should be the one annoying him right now, but why is the opposite happening?
Earlier, I planned to ruin their night. But, my night is the one that will be ruined. It's frustrating. But wait, I still have a choice. It's either I let him ruin my night, or I ruin their night.
I reached for my hand once more, and I succeeded. He let me go. I heard him sigh, so I looked up. He looked so lost and confused. I had an idea why he was puzzled now. He probably still feels our bond, just as I do right now.
Later on, his expression changed. Confusion was replaced by amusement. He smirked and moved even closer to me.
"Tell me, Lady Anastasia, what are your thoughts about my crazy idea you were talking about?" he asked me, or rather, he challenged me.
I raised an eyebrow. I've known him since childhood, and I'm aware of many of his quirks. Perhaps he wanted me to list them all? I mentally rolled my eyes.
"Speak it."
I took a deep breath and stepped back slightly from him. "Approaching me like this is not appropriate, Your Majesty. It would be best if you were with your fiancée right now, not wasting your time on me," I honestly reply.
I saw how his brow furrowed. "A committed man," he repeated. I just realised now he's not actually a committed man. Well, I'm being sarcastic on that.
"If you're worried that they will think you're destroying my relationship, you're wrong. I only wanted to be close to you, offer you friendship; there's nothing wrong with that," he continued.
There's nothing wrong with that? I wanted to laugh right now. He's being delusional. I shook my head and laughed.
"I'm not worried, Your Majesty. I find this ridiculous, and besides, I'm telling you this because I don't want any trouble," I added.
Nope, trouble is all I want now. I want to destroy them and make them pay for everything they have done to me before.
All he can do is look at me. I chuckle and tap his shoulder. "But we can be friends, just don't cross the line."
He took a deep breath and nodded, "All right then, as you please, Lady Anastasia. Let's be civil then," I nodded. For now, let's be civil.
"Cool. I have to go now then. I’ll see you around, Your Majesty," I said and bowed. I started to walk away; oddly, he didn't stop me and let me leave.
"I heard that the former king and queen won’t be able to join tonight," my eyes immediately searched where that voice came from.
I saw two ladies, probably around my age or older, talking. Their topic caught my attention.
"Really? But this is the first gathering of the festival," the other one said in confusion.
"Yes, I heard that something came up. The queen caught a cold; that's why they can't travel."
I see. I continued listening silently. "That's unfortunate." Indeed.
"But according to my cousin, they will be here next week. They can't miss this kind of event," they should not.
I’ll be sad if they can't come here.
"You're right. I hope the queen will be okay soon," I decided not to listen anymore. I don't want them to think I’m eavesdropping.
I continued walking until I found the buffet table. A smile formed on my lips as I approached the food. I suddenly felt hungry.
I was about to get some finger food when someone talked from behind. "Lady Anastasia!"
"I’m happy to see you again!" Cassie exclaimed as she half-ran towards me. The smile on my lips widened, "Cassie."
"I thought I wouldn't find you tonight. There are a lot of people here," she said energetically as she carefully grabbed a piece of food from the table and ate it.
"You're right," I replied and looked around. Some of the visitors were familiar to me, and some weren't.
"Have you been here for a while?" she asked me. I looked at her and shook my head.
"I've only been here for a few minutes."
"Me too, just arrived. I saw you talking to the king earlier. What did he say to you?" she asked again.
"Nothing, really. He just asked a question," I half-lied. She looked at me closely, seeming unconvinced by what I said.
"Really? It seemed like you were discussing something important earlier. Don't get me wrong, I don't mean to be nosy, but I'm genuinely curious. Especially since I saw Rachelle in a bad mood when I ran into her earlier," she said honestly.
I sighed; all right, she's curious. "Do you know that he mistook me for Vishiea?" I asked her.
She stopped eating and looked at me closely again. She seemed to be observing me carefully, and suddenly, her face lit up as if she remembered something.
"I remember now. That's why you look familiar to me. You do resemble Vishiea a bit!" She said in amazement and came closer to me to examine me more closely.
"Now I'm getting confused. Maybe you're really Vishiea?" She said, and I laughed at what she said. Yes, I am Vishiea, but there's no way I'll admit it now.
"I'm not. I'm Anastasia. And I don't know who Vishiea is. But from what I saw from him, from you, and everyone around here, Vishiea seems very important," I was close to rolling my eyes at what I had just said.
Someone important, my ass. All of them abandoned me before treating me like trash, especially him, my own mate.
"Yes, she's important to the king. I know how he regrets—" I cut her off. Darius? Regrets? I don't believe it. Someone like him doesn't know how to regret it.
"Was Vishiea the king's former mate?" I asked directly. She nodded, "Yes, she was."
"You probably know what happened back then. It's infuriating and sad. She lost everything, including her family. If I were her, I'd come back to avenge my family," she looked sad while saying that.
My face hardened. That's exactly what I want to happen. To avenge my parents. I will find justice.
"But she's banned here. She can't come back anymore. I'm angry at what Darius and his father did to her back then. But this is reality. What happened back then has happened. It can't be undone or replaced."
She's right. But it's not over yet. The former king banned me from returning, but he can't stop me from coming back.
I'll make sure they will suffer. Mark my words.