Chapter 22: Do you like him?
 
Vishiea’s POV
 
“Really? She’s the king’s former mate. I see. May I know what happened back then? Why she’s banned here?” I asked even if I already knew the answer.
 
She shrugged and resumed eating her food, “I don’t know what exactly the reason is. But I think it is because she’s the rebel’s only child. And to hide what his son did,” she answered.
 
She’s right; the king banned me because he wanted to cover his son’s betrayal. And also, I’m starting to think if the king had something to do with my parent’s death.
 
I will investigate as soon as possible. But wait, rebel’s only child? My father is not a rebel; they framed him. I wanted to correct her, but I chose silence.
 
“To hide the king’s betrayal,” I repeated as I nodded. That makes sense, but I think even if they didn’t ban me a couple of years before. I can’t do anything against him.
 
I mean, my father and mother died, and I was left alone, powerless and broken. I closed my eyes and nodded again. I don’t want to talk about this anymore.
 
I was about to talk when someone talked first. “It’s quite a sore eye to find two losers here,” My brow furrowed. Cassie and I looked back. We saw Rachelle and two other girls behind her.
 
Is she referring to herself? I rolled my eyes mentally. I heard Cassie chuckle as she faced her, “Loser? Coming from a piece of shit like you? Really, Rachelle?” I wanted to laugh because of what she said. I cover my mouth to suppress my laughter.
 
 Damn, I liked Cassie already. She’s a feisty, sassy lady but with class. Remind me to invite her to Cullenfield mansion soon. I think Dylan and her will be a good match.
 
I saw how Rachelle’s face reddened in anger. “How dare you!” She was about to slap her, but Cassie slapped her first. I’m lying if I say I’m not shocked. Damn, that’s a hard slap.
 
Those persons who are near us look in our direction. I didn’t know if I should be embarrassed or what. Rachelle is indeed an attention seeker. It seems like she can’t live without trouble. She surely loves chaos. I shook my head, “Pathetic.”
 
Suddenly, she glared at me. Don’t tell me she heard me. I think she really did. Well, there’s nothing wrong with what I said. She’ll be really pathetic.
 
“What did you say?” she asked me harshly. Now, her full attention is on me. I shrugged my shoulder and smiled innocently.
 
“What? I didn’t say anything.”
 
She narrowed down her eyes on me and moved closer. “No, I’m sure that you said something,” If she heard me saying she’s pathetic, why bother asking me again? See, she’s really pathetic.
 
“Come on, Rachelle. Don’t make any scene here,” Cassie interrupted while rolling her eyes. “I’m not talking to you, bitch!”
 
Cassie only laughed, “To all of us, you’re the bitch one here, Rachelle,” she said as a matter of fact. I closed my lips tightly. This is getting interesting.
 
“Argh, will you shut up! I’m not talking to you!” She yelled.
 
“I know, I know. But Lady Anastasia doesn’t deserve your curses. She’s kind of like an angel. While you? Demonic bitch!” I can’t hold my laughter anymore. Damn, Cassie’s sense of humour kills me.
 
“What’s funny!?” I shook my head but still laughed softly. “This is hilarious. Cassie, don’t argue with her anymore,” I paused and looked at Rachelle.
 
 
“Pardon if you heard something unpleasant from me. But I’m right, you’re pathetic, Rachelle,” I said directedly. Rachelle’s eyes widened in disbelief, “How could you---”
 
“What’s going on here?” I rolled my eyes when I heard his voice. He was always on time; all of us bowed and greeted him.
 
“Your Majesty!”
 
I saw Rachelle run towards him and hold onto his arm. She looked like a lost puppy now, sad and hurt. That’s disgusting shit.
 
“Honey, Cassie and that bitch is bullying me. She said I’m pathetic while I’m not,” I almost die out of cringe.
 
He stared at me intently. I couldn’t help but notice the coldness in his eyes. He seems so distant. He said we will act civil towards each other. Maybe this is how ‘Civil’ works for him.
 
“Is that true?” He asked coldly. Cassie went in front of me, “That’s not true. We’re not bullying her. In fact, she’s the one who’s bullying us. We were peacefully talking a while ago when she approached us and started saying nasty things,” Cassie explained.
 
His cold stare remained, “That’s not what I’m asking.” I let out a sigh, “Yes, that’s true; I called her pathetic.” I answered. All of them looked at me.
 
“See! She’s calling me pathetic---”
 
“And you’re calling her bitch!” Cassie interrupted. Rachelle glared at her, “I’m not talking to you, Cassie!”
 
“Well, I’m talking to you,” She replied and smirked devilishly. I appreciate Cassie for defending me, but it seems like I’m the one whom Rachelle really hates.
 
“Honey, please don’t let them bully me!” She looks like a child whining over something. She’s childish and annoying as fuck.
 
“You called her pathetic, why?” He seriously asked. He’s damn ignoring his fiancée. I nodded and bravely met his deadly glaze.
 
“Yes, I called her pathetic. The reason is clear, Your Majesty. I don’t need to explain why,” I answered. I saw the edge of his lips slightly rose.
 
“Do you know the consequence of offending a royal member?” I’m aware. I used to be one of them before, and now I regret it.
 
The royalties are full of crazy people who only know how to value themselves. I nodded, “I’m aware that there’s a consequence,” I said plainly.
 
He slowly smirked, “If that so?” Cassie’s eyes widened. “No, you can’t punish her, your majesty. She did nothing wrong. We all know that it is true that Rachelle is pathetic.”
 
I looked at her and shook my head, “No, it’s fine, Cassie. I’ll accept whatever the punishment is.”
 
“Ha! Really? You’re acting tough now, huh---” Darius raised his right hand to stop Rachelle from talking. He’s still looking at me.
 
“You’re quite brave, lady Anastasia. But no, there’s no punishment. I saw what happened earlier,” he stopped talking and looked at his fiancée.
 
Rachelle’s eyes widened in shock; she couldn’t believe that he actually saw what happened. “I did not mean to---”
 
“I know that you love attention, Rachelle. But I warned you, don’t make any trouble tonight. I warn you, if this happens again, I’ll kick you out,” he dangerously said, err… threatened her.
Rachelle nodded quickly and apologised. “I’m sorry, I won’t do it again---” Darius cut her off.
 
“You better should,” he said and looked at me again. “I apologised for this little scene my fiancée created. I hope it doesn’t bother you much,” he said with his baritone voice.
 
I nodded, “No worries, your majesty.” He nodded. “I’ll see you around then,” as he said that, he pulled Rachelle with him and left.
 
When they were gone, Cassie burst into a fit of laughter. “Damn, that was hilarious. I really thought he’d punish you for nothing. Luckily, he knew what happened,” she said happily.
 
I can’t help but agree. That’s quite entertaining indeed. I shook my head and picked a food on the table.
 
“Anyway, it’s time to dance. Do you want to dance, Anastasia?” She asked me. I looked at her and then to the dance floor.
 
There’s a lot of couples dancing in the middle of the dancefloor. I even saw Duke Kian and Lily happily dancing. When I met Duke Kian, I thought he was a playboy, but I think he is.
 
But when I saw him with Lily, my point of view about him changed. I see him as a man who can’t love the person he really loves. I mean, from his eyes, I saw that he liked or loved Lily. But they can’t be together; their love will be forbidden in the eyes of the moon goddess.
 
The mate bond is sometimes a curse, something bad. You’re lucky if your mate will love you forever, but you will live in the dark the moment your own mate breaks your heart into a million pieces.
 
We, the Lycans, believe that we have only one mate to love for the rest of our lives—the one to cherish till our last breath.
 
It’s making me sad to think why we need mates to be happy, why we can’t choose someone to love freely.
 
“Anastasia? Are you listening?” I was pulled back into reality when I heard Cassie call my name. Oh yeah, I’m spacing out. I took a deep breath and shook my head.
 
“I’m sorry, what you were saying?” she smiled.
 
“I’m asking you if you want to dance,” she answered. That’s what she asked me earlier. I shook my head again, “No, maybe later.”
 
“I see. I’ll go and look for someone to dance with then,” she said energetically. I nodded and chuckled, “Sure, good luck.”
 
She giggled and bowed. I watched her leaving when she was out of my sight. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.
 
In just a couple of days, I got their attention already. What a good start. I started to leave the venue and went into a quiet place. I found myself standing on a balcony, watching the stars in the sky.
 
Every time I was alone, I couldn’t help but feel sad. I always reminisced about the past, even if I didn’t want to remember it anymore.
 
Five years ago, I wish to forget. To forget everything about him, about this place, the painful memories. I keep on asking myself, will things change if he didn’t cheat on me before? If my mother did not die and my father wasn’t accused of something he didn’t do?
 
“Why are you alone here, my lady?”
 
“Why are you here?” I asked him instead. He let out a soft chuckle and stood next to me. He looked up at the sky, too.
 
“I’m guarding the whole place and found you here,” he answered. “So, why are you here? You’re supposedly enjoying the event,” he added.
 
I shook my head and glanced at him. “It’s quite fun there, but I need some fresh air, Sir.”
 
“Please call me Nathan,” I bite my inner lips. “Sure, Nathan. You can also call me by my name then,” From the corner of my eye, I saw him staring at me.
 
“I prefer calling you Lady Anastasia. You’re a duchess; I should address you properly.” I chuckled at what he said. Address me properly. He’s such a gentleman, indeed.
 
“As you said so.” After that, no one talk. We stayed that way for a couple of minutes until someone broke the silence.
 
“You’re just here; I thought you left.”
 
The two of us looked behind, and there, we saw Darius. He looked intimidating now. What’s wrong with him? Why is he looking for me?
 
“Your Majesty,” Nathan greeted him. Darius nodded, but his eyes were on me. “Why are you here with him?” he asked again. Why is he asking me that? Did he forget again what we talked about earlier? Act civil?
 
“I saw her alone here, Your Majesty. I approached her to ask,” Nathan answered for me. Darius raised an eyebrow, “I see. You can leave now, McNiel,” he said, and he waved his right hand to dismiss him.  
 
 
Nathan nodded his head and bowed, “As you pleased, Your Majesty.” Before he left, Nathan looked at me. I nodded back and smiled.
 
When he was gone, Darius moved closer. I took a few steps away because he was too close. “Do you know him?” he asked me casually. Do I need to answer him?
 
I sigh; I guess I need to. He’ll ask me nonstop until I answer it anyway. “Not personally, but I met him already in the hallway before. He’s a knight, I think,” I answered. As Vishiea, I know Nathan because he’s one of my childhood friends also.
 
“Do you like him?” This time I look at him. He’s being ridiculous right now. He doesn’t have the right to ask me that.
 
“I guess I’m right. You smiled at him earlier; therefore, you like him.”
 
He’s crazy.