Remaking Of Lady Cruel

Chapter Thirty-Nine: Under The Thousand Lights

Viviene’s eyes was so wide it that her eyeballs will drop from her eye socket. Ulysses only laughed at her ugly expression.

“Y-You! You!?”

“Yes, its me. How are you my angel?”

She’s speechless while looking at him.

“What are you doing here?” she asked as she look around if there are any imperial knights near them. “Are you out of your mind!? Do you want to die? Don’t drag me with you!” She hissed.

“Oh no, How dare I bring death to my future wife?” He teased and displayed a playful grin.

“Hah! Dream on jerk.” She replied in a jeering way.

“If that’s what you want. I can dream about you every night.” He retorted in a roguish tone that made her face flush.

“p*****t!” She fumed and felt embarrassed.

“Whatever you say, Angel. Lets go now and start our date. Time is running.”

He pulled her but she resisted.

“What do you mean date? Let me go right now. Go date yourself.”

“Then I would be very lonely if I do that. When I’m with you, I don’t feel lonely. And its my birthday today you know?” He lied and fake a pitiful face in front of her but she only raise her eyebrow and see through his lie. He cursed a lot in his mind as he saw her emotionless face.

“Fine, I lied. My birthday is next month.” He confessed. “But I did not lie about me being not lonely with you though.” He mumbled.

“Look, I’m sorry I didn’t visit the tree okay? Its just that I’m very busy lately.” She explained.

“You only want to visit the tree and not me?” He frowned at her.

“Of course you too! You and the tree! Damn how old are you by the way?” She asked in irritation.

“I am twenty-three years old and in a rightful age to get married to you. If you’re worried about my social status I am a noble too and I am very, very wealthy.” He boasted.

“That’s nice to hear but again, I am not marrying you!” She peeved.

His expression became grim and let go of her hand.

“Fine, go home now.” He muttered in a stoic expression and in a very cold voice. He turn around when Viviene felt a sudden rush of guilt within her.

‘Well, its not that bad to accompany that insane man.’ She thought. She grab his hand again and that made him gasp and turn to face her.

“Are you an i***t?! What if I get lost?! Its you're fault I'm separated from my brother and the others so take full responsibility for your deed!”

His eyes widen as he stare at the nervous amber irises looking back at him. A playful smile appeared on his lips as he tighten his hold to her hand and pull her closer to him.

“Of course. I take full responsibility when it comes to you, my dearest angel.”

His face is too close to hers making her smell his mint-breathe. His eyes were sparkling like rubies holding her amber ones and that made her even more blushed.

‘H-He looks like some rough playboy!’

“Whatever.” She managed to speak trying to calm herself.

“Alright, lets go.” Ulysses smirked and they started walking while holding each other’s hands.

They walked in the lively streets. Ulysses noticed that she was looking at the skewers with sparkling eyes. He just stared at her without speaking anything. Viviene who was tired, hungry and thirsty look at Ulysses who was staring at her with a teasing smile.

‘This man, he wants to see me suffer!’ She gritted her teeth and glared at him.

“Is there anything you want, Angel? I can give anything to you.” He teased as he lean towards her. She step back away from him.

“You said this is a date but why are you starving me?” She said with a straight-forward face. Honestly, she doesn’t have money because Arthur had it in his pocket. And now he is not with her so she cant help but make Ulysses feed her.

She hates it when she starves.

“All you need to do is ask.” He muttered.

“What? Where is your conscience? At least feed me! I’m hungry.” She demanded very embarrassed. She doesn’t want to ask him anything but she doesn’t want to starve in a happy occasion.

‘If only I have allowance.’ She mumbled to herself as she cried pitifully inside.

“Alright. You don’t have to be that crestfallen over food. I don’t mean to starve you in our date. As I’ve said, all you need is ask and I’ll give it to you.” Ulysses said as he pulled her gently towards the stall.

“I’ll buy them all.”

Her eyes widen as she look at Ulysses with disbelief then to the skewers being roasted. No matter how hungry she is, she cant eat all the skewers!

“Wait, wait, you’re eating with me too right?” She asked nervously.

“Huh? How could I eat your food? Its all yours.” He answered with a puzzled look.

‘What the heck!?’

“I cant eat all of that! What do you think of me? A pig?!” She blurted.

“A pig? You are so skinny that I cant think of you as a pig. You need to gain weight.” He demanded.

“No, just give me four skewers.”

“No.”

“Yes! I am the one who will eat it.” She fumed.

“Alright. But I’ll add one.” He muttered. She sighed and concluded that she’s been angry to him and she felt bad for it.

“I’m sorry. I told you before, if you cant handle me then stop messing around.” She said calmly as she look straight at his eyes.

He laugh and his eyes became gentle. Her eyes dilated at his charming eyes looking down at her.

“No. I am not messing around. And you are free to whine or whatever you like, I dont give a damn.” He said with his deep voice and his eyes fix on her.

Something just sparked in her chest. It’s her curiosity of what’s behind those red irises and her eagerness to know the reason behind his actions.

Meanwhile, Arthur and the rest were in a state of panic as they learned the disappearance of Viviene.

“I’ll use magic now.” Arthur said firmly as his aura spread around her.

“Wait, Young Master. If you use magic now, people might panic since this event is a magic-free event.” Sir Rowellius warned.

“Shit.” Arthur cursed as he rake his hair upward.

“I apologize but I cant ruin this event, Young Duke.” The crown prince gravely stated.

“I understand. s**t, where is she?” Arthur inquired in frustration.

“Bad news!” Timothy suddenly announced to them. All of them turned their heads on him.

“Lady Walmeir, she’s missing too!”

All their eyes roamed around noticing Eliza’s presence is also missing. Not they are more bothered than before.

“Damn it! Why now?” The crown prince cursed as well as he almost broke the pavement due to his manna that was leak from his body.

“I’ll go find my sister. Sir Rowellius, come with me.” Arthur ordered.

“Yes, Young Master.” Sir Rowellius responded. They were about to leave when the crown prince suddenly speak.

“I’m going to find her as well.”

“Pardon?” Arthur turned his head towards the crown prince, confused of his words.

“I’m going to find Lady Cruel as well.” He stated again.

“Pardon my words Your Majesty but I am capable of searching my sister. Your Majesty doesn’t have to strain yourself.”

“You don’t have to worry about it, Young Duke. As you know, I am powerful.” He muttered as his violet eyes glowed.

Arthur’s eyes glowed bright blue as well, glaring back at the crown prince. The tension between them became heavy that everyone around them can feel goosebumps in their body. Sir Valor who was staring at the both of them sighed.

“Your Majesty, Young Duke, if its alright, I and Sir McGregor as well as Lady Cruel’s personal maid will look for Lady Walmeir while Your Majesty and the Young Duke will look for Lady Cruel.” He suggested.

“… Alright.” Arthur muttered. “Lets do that.” He added.

“I agree as well.” The crown prince also agreed to Sir Valor’s suggestion. That’s when the people around them sighed in relief.

“We’ll be going now.” Sir Valor said and they all separate to look for Viviene and Eliza who were both missing.

Our of the two, Arthur was much more concern to her sister right now who had a frail body because of an illness. She may act fine but he knew that she is unstable inside.

“I can sense your worry, Young Duke. We will surely find Lady Cruel.” The crown prince suddenly muttered but without any emotions.

“I hope we can find her soon.” He responded. “This was the first time, that my sister asked something from me. I can still remember how her eyes sparkled as she arrived here in the capital.” He added in a gloomy tone.

The crown prince felt sullen as well as he recall Viviene’s expression as she handed him the prize she won from that shooting game. Even Sir Rowellius as well is sad. For it is the second time that he received a gift from the lady herself.

They don’t know when it started but, they suddenly cared for the villainess whom they hated so much before.

Viviene was eating at the same time glancing at Ulysses who was staring with a smile on his lips. She became bothered and concern of her appearance while eating.

“Here.” She offered the other skewer. “Take it. I don’t want to eat all by myself.” She added.

“I’m touched at your concerns to me. Thank you, angel.” He responded and took the skewers.

“Stop calling me an angel.” She muttered feeling uncomfortable of the name he always called her. “Just call me by my name, Ulysses.”

She notice how the man’s eyes shook followed by a mysterious smile on his lips.

‘Was there something, in that name?’ She wonder seeing his reaction.

“Alright. But I like calling you both though.”

She kick her tongue and continue eating the skewer in her hand and drank the refreshment he bought. Seeing her eat is fun for him. He concluded something different from other ladies he encountered.

‘She is more attracted to food than jewelries.’ He concluded as he recall her expression while looking at the food in the stall. ‘She’s adorable.’ He added.

“Are you here for the floating lanterns as well?” She asked him.

“That’s the second reason for coming here. I was curious of the festival as well.”

“Second? What’s the first reason?” She inquired.

“You” He responded without hesitation and look at her.

A moment of silent took place between them. Viviene broke first their staring contest and look at the people going back and forth of the streets. That’s a lame reason for her. How can she, a total stranger, be the first reason of him coming in the capital?

‘Perhaps he is planning something bad that’s why he is here.’ She thought.

“Viviene” Ulysses called as he reach his hand. “Lets go now.” He added. She stared at his hand before taking it.

“Where are we going?” She asked.

“Somewhere not boring and noisy.”

“Hey, you are not going to kill me right?” She ensured as she followed him behind.

“Kill you? I wont do that to my fiancée.” He cheekily answered her. She rolled her eyes of his delusions again.

They walked on the streets and to an alley until they’ve arrived in front of a tall clock tower. She stared at it for a while. It’s called ‘The One Who Holds Time’ and the symbol of..

“Axxiale..” She whispered.

“Angel? Did you say something?” He asked.

“No, nothing. What are we doing here?”

His lips curved into a mischievous smile. He suddenly carried her in his arms.

“What are you!?”

He jumped so high that they landed on the roof or the clock tower. She screamed in fear of falling in such a high place. One wrong move and she’ll fall and break her skull.

“W-What are we doing here? You are not going to push me from here, right?” She asked nervously.

“I told you, I wont. Don’t worry.” He smiled at him as he tighten his hold to her small frame. “I wont let you fall.” He guaranteed.

She didn’t say anything rather she tighten her grip in his cloth as well.

“I’ll trust you for now.” She stated and sighed.

‘I still value my life here.’ She firmly muttered inside trying to stop the tears from coming out from her eyes.

“Alright. Take a sit.” He offered as he put a cloth on the on the roof so that she can sit beside him. She did take a sit beside him since her legs were tired already and she doesn’t want to fall due to the strong blows of wind.

“Why are you here?” He asked.

“To see the lanterns.” She answered not looking at him.

“But why are your eyes close if you want to see the lanterns? You will miss the view here.”

She’s too scared to see how high they were from the ground. Its like she’s falling already while only watching. She felt someone’s hand holding her hand as well as if it’s the most precious thing in the world.

“Open your eyes.”

Like a spell, she slowly open her eyes and saw the lights in the town. Its so beautiful that she mistakenly thought that its stars.

“Beautiful..” she gasped as her eyes dilated and sparkled.

“Yes. Its beautiful.” He agreed but he wasn’t looking for the view yet to the person beside him.

“Ulysses.”

She look at him and saw the same expression he always had when she call her.

“Yes?”

“Ulysses. Ulysses. Ulysses.” She called thrice to see his reaction. Ulysses laughed at her silliness.

“What is it? You keep on calling me.”

“Is there something wrong?” she asked staring at him.

“Shouldn’t I should be the one to ask that?”

“Why do you keep flinching when I call you?”

He didn’t answer, instead his eyes turned cold. She just hit a button that triggered an unexpected emotion.

“You don’t trust me right?” He asked.

“I trust you for now.”

“I, don’t want to answer that question.” He impassively answered.

She felt guilty for letting him feel that way.

“Sorry. I think I’ve crossed the line.” She gulped while looking at him.

“How ironic, many people apologized to me with bended knees but I still don’t feel of forgiving them. But I forgive you.” He replied.

“Well, I don’t know anything and I don’t want to know either but, I like that name.” His eyes trembled as he look at her in the corners of his eyes. “It reminds me of a great person and not as a hated one.” She added.

His heart flatter.

“I see.” He mumble and a small smile form on his lips.

Viviene’s eyes widen as she notice something. She stood up while holding Ulysses’ hand tightly, scared of falling. Ulysses stood up as well.

“What’s wrong?”

She didn’t answer as she stared at the lanterns flying to the sky. Her eyes shone different colors as she stared at the lanterns. She remembered how her life is so pitiful back then that she wasn’t able to celebrate important events such as Christmas, New Years, Festivals and even her own birthday because she’s too busy making a living.

“Angel.” Ulysses called her. She turn her head towards him and saw two red lanterns already lit up. “When did you..”

“Magic.”

‘Right. Magic.’ She mumble inwardly. She took the lantern with her spare hand.

“Lets let these go together.” She chirped. The two of them let go of the lanterns in their hands and watch it float with the others.

“What is your wish, Ulysses?” Viviene asked him.

“To stop time.” He answered staring back at her. “And yours?” He added.

“More time.” She replied with a gentle smile. “You see, I’m someone will leave soon.” She tried to explain to him. His grip to her hand tighten.

“I know.” He said gravely.

“Why are you so interested in me?” She added.

“I don’t know. But then I saw your eyes looking at mine and thought, I should know you.” He answered.

“You’re curious of me? I’m not really an interesting person.” She said mildly yet he’s not convinced. “I am just an ordinary girl wearing a fake mask of confidence and bravery.” She added.

“I still want you.” He insisted.

“How stubborn.” She peeved and roll her eyes.

“Can we dance?” He asked suddenly that made her look back at him again with wide eyes.

“Dance? Here? Are you crazy?”

“Not yet. Don’t worry we’re not going to fall. I’ll make sure of it.” He guaranteed.

She stared at him before nodding.

“Wait, what about the music?” She added.

“You really know how to ruin the mood.” He muttered in disappointment. He snap his fingers then she can hear waltz around them.

“Can I have a dance, Lady Angel?” He asked like a gentleman should. His eyes were surprisingly gentle yet deep in them lies danger.

She took his hand and she let him pull her closer to him. She can smell his musky scent that made her heart beat unusually faster than before. He slide his hand on her waist and held her other hand while Viviene put her hand on her shoulder and held his hand as well. They started moving their feet in a slow, pattern movement.

Everything is enchanting and it seems that all were in a slow motion. Her eyes were alluring while staring at his irises. She didn’t realized that she’s holding her breath as she stared back to him.

Everything is magical.