Remaking Of Lady Cruel

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Second Encounter

‘I clearly said the place I wanted to go. I thought I did but f**k! Why am I in a tree!?’

She cursed under her breath as she hug the trunk of the narra tree tightly while looking nervously at the ground. She gulp her own saliva while cold sweat rolling down from her forehead. She’s sitting on a branch as high as the third floor of the mansion.

“Lets hope that I will not fall and die here.” She mumbled and grip the tree trunk for her life.

She slowly look what’s ahead of her and saw the tall, green mountains. The sky is so blue and birds fly freely in the air. The wind slowly blow at her swaying her the hem of her white dress and her long ginger hair.

“I guess the ring did not commit a mistake bringing me up here.”

Her eyes sparkled at the breathtaking view. She breathe deeply and enjoyed the fresh air going inside her nostrils.

‘A perfect escape from the stresses of life.’ She thought and lean on the tree trunk as she watch the view with delight.

‘Anyway, where am I? I’m sure this is not Enchanted Forest near the crown prince’s palace.’ She wondered looking around. All she could see were green tall trees and beneath her is the green grass.

“The place doesn’t matter. Finally, I escaped that messy house for a while.” She mumble.

The gentle wind blow again and made her feel a little relax from being too stiff in the mansion. She’s thinking about many things especially the way to return to her home and the people around her who were once didn’t care of Viviene’s existence were now looking at her like she’s the most important and fragile thing in front of them.

Actually, she hates it. She hates being treated like a baby and she even hates that all she can see is them being guilty of their mistakes towards her without a single sincerity with it. The more they did those things, the more she hates them to the extent.

“They even tried to compensate Viviene’s hurt feelings with material things. How absurd.”

Her eyes become cold as she look at the silent mountains ahead of her. She suddenly look down when she heard someone below her. It’s a man with gray hair talking to someone.

“Captain, there’s no attack from the enemies so far from the border. For now our soldiers were treated.”

“Good. Continue guarding the border and if there’s an odd movement, even a little bit, report to me right away.”

“Yes sir.”

The other man left the gray-haired man. Viviene shut her mouth while sitting on the branch looking down at them.

‘Who are they? They’re not from Valliaña Empire.’

“How long will you stay hiding like a rat?” The man suddenly said as he look up. Pair of red eyes met her amber irises and a mischievous smirk formed his lips. She swallowed her saliva as she realize that the man is very familiar. No, she really know who the man is. He was her captor who beat her mercilessly.

‘What the heck!?’

“Oh, it’s the my runaway hostage.” He turn to face the tree but his eyes are still holding hers. She didn’t mutter a word and remain looking down at him.

“Did you lost your tongue? I’m sure I remained it intact in your mouth before you escaped.” His words give her goosebumps.

“I don’t talk to strangers.”

“Strangers? Oh, my apology. I should have introduced myself before. My name is Captain Michael Ulysses Valkeire of the Griffin Knights. May I know your name, beautiful lady of the narra tree?”

He showed a very charming smile to Viviene that can lure even the birds on the tree.

‘Another handsome guy aside from the trio heartthrobs.’ She thought as she imagine Arthur, Sir Valor and the crown prince with the flooding ladies in front of them.

“Why would I give my name to you? Captain stranger.”

“I’m sad that you don’t want to give your name to me. But you know, its alright. I have a lot of information about you, Viviene.”

His charming smiled turn into a wicked one and his eyes glint dangerously.

“W-What!? I didn’t give you permission to call me by my first name and we’re not friends!”

“Lets be friends.”

“Dream on crazy captain.”

“Crazy?” He laugh like a psycho underneath her which give her goosebumps. “Oh, I’ll take that as a compliment.” He smiled.

‘Psycho! The f**k is wrong with my life!?’ She thought as she cried for herself meeting weird and dramatic people every time.

“You’re right.”

“What?”

“You’re right. You’re indeed pretty.”

The wind blow again and lift her long ginger hair.

“Can I go up and sit beside you, Viviene?”

“No.”

“I can see your undergarments from here.” He said with a mocking grin at her. Her face darkened as she glared at him.

“I wish you go blind.”

“That’s harsh.”

She rolled her eyes in front of him. She sighed as she massage her aching head.

‘I thought I can escape from stress but I’m wrong. I forgot I attract trouble.’ She thought disappointedly to herself. Because Captain Valkeire did not receive permission to sit beside her, he just sit on the ground and lean on the tree trunk.

“I’m glad you survived. I thought a bear already ate you and died."

Viviene frown at her.

“Hah. I’m not weak you know?”

“Really?”

“Really!”

His smile grow wider as he look up to face her. She raise an eyebrow at his smile and roll her eyes again in annoyance.

‘Forgive him Viviene. You have brains he doesn’t.’ She thought and sigh.

“So, why are you here?” He asked and this time, he’s looking in front of him.

“You shouldn’t talk to stranger, Sir.”

“In this case, I am more dangerous than a stranger, don’t you think?”

She look down again and saw his glaring eyes. She gulped her own saliva as she force a smile.

“Trying to clear my mind.”

“Why? Did something happen?”

“Its not that important. I’m just, not use to this sudden change.”

“Change?”

“… Everyone seems caring towards me all of a sudden.”

“Isn’t that a good thing? They started to value your importance. They started seeing you as a person.”

He look up and his eyes slightly widen as he notice a sad smile on her lips. Her eyes were full of sadness.

“I don’t know if its good. They’re just, trying to erase the bad deeds they did to me.”

His heart suddenly throb with the sight and somehow, Viviene can read his mind.

“I don’t need your pity, Sir. Keep it.”

“Me? I don’t even know sympathy.” He muttered and smirked as if he heard a mockery.

“That’s good then.”

“Viviene.”

“Don’t use my first name! We’re not close!”

“I really did meet you again.”

“What?”

She look at him with confusion.

“This must be fate.”

They stared at each other’s eyes. His eyes were bloody red and its not as beautiful as any other eyes she saw in other men in the empire yet strangely, she didn’t feel scared, even a little bit. She realize she’s staring at him for too long so she open her mouth and speak.

“If this is fate then I’ll gladly die again for good.”

“Oh, too bad. I don’t want to kill you.”

“Jokes on you, Sir. You cant kill me.”

“You don’t really feel scared at me?” He suddenly said with an eerie presence. She felt nervous all of a sudden.

‘I felt like he’s as dangerous as the crown prince..’ She thought feeling scared all of a sudden.

“Why?”

“How naïve. I’m not a simple man as you think I am. I am one of he greatest enemy of your empire and you’re speaking to me as if I’m nothing but an ordinary individual.” He explained with an intense seriousness.

She really did feel scared not just to him but to everyone around her. She feared that she’ll suffer the same treatment as the real Viviene did that’s why she’s desperate to leave this unknown world and return home. Somehow, that scared feeling became normal to her and being cautious to someone is a must for survival. She smiled at him with her clear eyes looking down at his red irises.

“You can think of me as a naïve girl if you want. I don’t really give a damn about it.”

He stared at her unshaken pretty golden eyes. Those eyes were much brighter than of gold.

‘I’ve never seen such clear and beautiful eyes before.’ He thought as he stared at her for a long time.

Viviene felt a sudden ache in her chest. Blood came out from her mouth staining her white dress and the clothes of the man beneath her. She cover her mouth immediately. Captain Valkeire’s eyes went big in shock as he saw the blood coming out from her mouth.

“You!”

Before he could teleport beside her, Viviene immediately vanish like thin air. Viviene returned to her room with blood-stained clothes. Someone suddenly knock the door and opened it. Arthur saw her sitting on the wooden floor with blooded clothes and staring at him with wide eyes.

“Viviene! Call a doctor now!” He ordered to the servant and immediately rush to her side. Blood came out from her mouth again staining his clothes. He’s frighten of the sight in front of him that his face become very pale and his hand trembled.

“…I’m sorry for, staining your clothes, brother.” Viviene muttered weakly as she glance at her eyes.

“Don’t think about it..” He muttered coldly as he carried her in his arms. He put her on her bed and look at her paled, sweaty face.

“You can leave now, brother.”

“What?”

“Don’t worry about me. I’m fine.”

“Fine? Hah. Do you think I’m a fool, Viviene? Who would be fine in this state?! You’re white dress is now red because of too much blood!” He said in anger as she tried to push him away again. She remain silent and stared at him with dead eyes. Not long after, the duke and the doctor came to check her conditions.

“Is there anything that hurts milady?” The doctor asked kindly.

“My chest hurts and my throat felt like burning.” She answered.

“I see. I’ll give you a painkiller for the pain and a medicine to avoid you from being anemic.”

“Thank you doctor. You’re kind.”

“N-No, milady. I’m just doing my job.”

Somehow, the doctor felt her sincere gratitude. He felt sad for the only lady of the dukedom and he felt even sadder giving her cold treatments before when she was sick.

“Can you please leave, doctor? I want to speak with brother and father.”

“Oh, alright Milady. I’ll just give the medicines to your personal maid. You have to drink the medicines right before sleeping.”

“Okay.”

The doctor left the room quietly. She glance at the two men beside her bed. Their eyes were full of concerns and worries for her but their faces remained emotionless like a stone.

“Father, brother, please stop this treatment already.”

“What?”

“I don’t, like it.”

“Child, this is what’s best for you.” The duke said as he sit on her bed and held her hand.

“What I mean is the gifts everyday, Merriam and Sir Rowellius always beside me and forbidding me to go to the capital.” She explained.

“Your body is weak. You need Merriam and Sir Rowellius beside you.” Arthur insisted.

“But I cant even walk on the garden alone. I want some time with myself too.”

“Child, I told you this is for you.”

“I don’t want to be a burden. Sir Rowellius needs to train the soon-to-be-knights of the dukedom and Merriam has a lot of things to do. Even father and brother were having a hard time doing their work because of me.”

“W-Why would you think that way?” Arthur stammered at her explanation. “You’re not a burden.” He added.

“Arthur’s right, child. Don’t be like that.”

The duke’s words were so warm and gentle. She smiled at him and held his hand. Her hands were trembling as she felt the intense pain in her chest yet she tried her best not to showed how hurt she was in front of them.

“Thank you for saying that, father. But I’m dying, there’s no cure for me and I have limited time.”

“Viviene!” Arthur called not knowing if its from anger or pain.

“I want to do the things I wanted to do. Actually, when father remove the greenhouse project in my hands, I felt very sad. Please return it to me, father. I, I want it.”

His grip tighten in her hand while Arthur’s eyes tremble so much. The duke nodded gently.

“Alright. I’ll return it to you but you must leave to Finnian the heavy tasks and don’t let yourself be tired. You can walk in the garden as you wish and even go to the capital if you like. Just tell me. But please, you have to let your maid and your knight to be with you.” He said with a heavy heart.

“Alright. I’ll do it. And I have a last request, father. May I say it?”

“Of course.”

“Don’t, let yourself worry so much about me. Work like there’s nothing wrong with me, sleep like there’s no problem at all, forget that I’m dying. I’ll do my best as your daughter so don’t pity me, instead, be proud of me.”

The duke hug her suddenly. Instead of thinking for herself, she’s more concern of the people around her. He hug her tighter, afraid of letting his precious daughter vanish.

How can he let this child suffer so much when in fact she didn’t deserve all of these in the first place.

“Same as for you brother. If you forget to take care of yourself I’m afraid you will turn ugly.” She joked but she really meant it at the same time.

“i***t. Why think of marriage all of a sudden?” He muttered in a low voice. She notice that his voice is trembling but she’s just too tired of teasing right now.

“Don’t worry, father, brother, I am not weak. Alright? So don’t be sad.” She added. The duke face her and caress her cheek.

“Alright. Rest well, child.”

“Yes. Thank you, father.”

They left the room quietly. Merriam came and help her change clothes then left to let her rest. She lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling until she fell asleep. By that time, the crown prince enter the room secretly. He silently went beside her and look at her peaceful sleeping pale face then his eyes went to the blooded white dress on the couch. He sighed and touch her forehead gently.

“In the end, you never really tell.”

The same white light covered her body and vanish in a minute, her face is not pale anymore.

“I can do this without stopping, I cant even get tired, all you need to do is ask yet you chose to press your lips tightly.” He muttered to the sleeping Viviene. Those words were mixed with annoyance and desperation of her wanting him.

“Please, don’t let me suffer with this heavy guilt in my chest.”

He pleaded as he caress her cheeks. The crown prince who was known to be prideful is pleading to a sleeping and dying lady with a hair as beautiful as the sunsets. Unfortunately, she’s sleeping but that’s alright, no one should know.