Chapter Three: Court Of Intrigue
1713 Words
Aria's POV
What's the meaning of this?" his voice barely audible as he said to himself while engrossed in his thoughts.
" I was so stupid to have thought that those men were wise," he said with a tinge of regret; they were just desperately yearning for my attention and deriving pleasure in creating a nuisance.
As he trod his steps carefully with caution, he unexpectedly bumped into the beta's daughter the very same girl everyone was pestering him to marry, but he blatantly refused.
His gaze landed on her, his eyes filled with disdain as she bowed her head before him, her appearance a sharp contrast to what was brewing within him.
" I am humbled to appear before you," her voice laced with excitement as she spoke, unsure of the right words to say.
"Would you permit me to walk with you?" she requested, her eyes frantically searching for an answer.
He looked at her with disgust, wishing she could vanish like a wink of smoke. She stood before him, completely oblivious to the hatred radiating from him.
"Your request is granted," he replied softly, his voice lacking affection as he averted his gaze, unable to meet her eyes creating an awkward moment between them.
As they strolled towards the garden, there was a grave silence and he felt discomfort in his breath, his uneasiness wildly growing as he was cautious of every step.
He then settled on his favorite spot, feeling the chilling warmth of the garden that brushed against his skin and sat in deep silence, his mind lingering around the hall, reminiscing about the events that had taken place before his very eyes.
"What happened?" Evelyn, the beta's daughter, came asking with concern written all over her face, but he remained unyielding as his mind was fixed somewhere else. He didn't shoot her a glance.
"Nothing," he uttered with a faint smile; his voice barely audible, his eyes cast downwards with his gaze fixated at a distant point, which prevented her from probing him further.
Before he could say anything else, his guard approached and whispered some words into his ears, which sounded like a matter of urgency that made his expression change.
"I have to take my leave now," he said with a reassuring smile, which made her sigh in relief, and she winked back at him.
"I have to be the queen of this place and make sure I do whatever it takes to get to that throne," she said with conviction puffing through her eyes.
Just then, I happened to walk across the garden feeling the rustle of the leaves beneath my feet and the soft fragrance of
flowers accompanied into my nostrils made me feel soothed.
I walked around my own private space, which he had entrusted to me, as I joyfully walked up and down, savoring the lovely moment.
I had never experienced such happiness as all the anxiety inside me flushed out with this immense joy.
I was still basking in the happy moment when my excitement was shattered by the icy stares thrown at me which sent cold chills down my spine.
"Hey there," she called out to me, and her voice broke my peaceful atmosphere with fear enveloping my body.
"Who are you?" she asked fiercely, outrightly demanding an answer, but I just walked away, leaving her question hanging in the air.
"Come here," she said, her voice getting louder as she shouted, but I didn't yield instead, I just scoffed with my attendants trailing behind me.
My eyes widened in shock as I pushed forth the door, quietly slipping inside, only to find my buyer eagerly waiting for me.
His eyes scrutinized me from head to toe as if he was searching for something and before I knew it, he pulled me into his arms.
"We need to talk," he whispered as he drew me into his Arms, yet his grip firm and tight around my waist while observing me closely as his face leaned closer towards mine.
"Release me now, "I told him sternly as I struggled to free myself from his stronghold, and a smile curved on his lips, refusing to relinquish his hold on me.
After a while, he slowly released his grip and the tension in my body dissipated as I sighed in relief.
"I just came to check up on you," he said in a gentle tone as he examined my expression, his eyes locking directly into mine trying to understand what was going on in my mind.
"Thank you," I responded. My expression was neutral, which left him utterly confused.
"I will take my leave now," he said and headed towards the exit, closing the door right behind him.
As I turned to go to bed, I heard some footsteps approaching, which was followed by the appearance of Evelyn, the beta's daughter.
She sat across the table with a bright smile written all over her face.
"What's your name?" she asked, trying to sound pleasant as her question threw me off balance, which I was not interested in replying to.
I hesitated upon her sudden visit, which made me curious as it gave her the privilege to inquire about me.
"What's your purpose of visit?" I queried, sounding casual to her while trying to find the underlying motives beneath her.
" I was just passing by and wanted to say hello to you" she replied.
Her smile flickered for a moment as her eyes met mine darting around the room while trying to keep the discussion neutral.
"You don't belong here," she stated, her words cutting through the air sharp with her tone firm, but I was unbothered.
" You just love to make a big fuss out of nothing, and you so much behave like that tramp of yours, "I replied, belittling her confidence as she hissed, burning with rage.
"So you were sticking your nose on matters that were not even yours to begin with," she snared, her tone sharp with accusation.
" I was busy on my own but could not ignore the fact that you filthy thing has some dirty tricks up your sleeve," I hurled in a low tone, dripping with disgust.
She flinched, knowing that I had discovered some awful things about her that were a thorn in her dignity.
She thought I would be a pawn in her hand not realizing I was far beyond her imagination.
"How dare you?" she blurted as her expression darkened and she spat, glaring at me as my words struck her like lightning.
"Your days are numbered here, and I will make sure you live your life on the streets," she declared, issuing a threat, but I remained unmoved.
" You think I will be scared of you, right? Because you possess as much power and do as you please," I said with mockery, coloring my firm tone.
"Who the hell are you and how dare you talk back at me?" she asked with raised eyebrows gazing intensely into my eyes.
" You can think that just because you did those devious actions and got away with your evil plot in the past, you might as well think you can deal with me ruthlessly, but I promise that you can't get away with it, " I said, directly challenging her authority in a cold tone.
" You are just a nobody, as no one cares what I do with you, but I won't want to be involved with a country bumpkin like you," she stated, but I simply let out a faint smile.
A sinister smile glowed across my face as I waited in anticipation of what her next step might be as she could strike me at anytime.
"Well, I have prepared a gift for you," she said, and a sinister smile spread across her face, simmering with deceit as I remained unmoved.
" You don't need to take such a hassle for doing these things," I replied, letting out a wicked smile as she was utterly confused.
"I'm sorry, I can't take anything from you as I have become delusional," I stated, lowering my gaze, which left her speechless.
" Are you rejecting my gift?" she asked directly staring into my eyes.
"You are the beta's daughter, and I wonder why on earth would you try to be with someone you barely know?"
My words cut through her, throwing her off balance.
'
" I don't have any evil intentions if that is what you are looking for," she replied, trying to sound casual.
" Let me make a good reminder into that head of yours," she said, pointing towards me.
"Just leave him, and you will have a better life, as you are not welcome here," she asserted with a raised brow.
" That's none of your business as you have no right to kick me out as you are just greedy, desperately desiring something out of your reach," I said vehemently with my voice firm, sending a strong warning towards her.
She was at a loss for words as her throat suddenly went dry, much to her bewilderment.
" I will leave now," she said, realizing the situation was already tense as she could incur my wrath if she stayed longer.
" I appreciate your visit," I replied, extending a handshake to her expressing my gratitude.
She bit her lower lip, her eyes glowing in anger as she could not figure out what my identity was.
She then quietly bowed her head, turned, and made her way towards the door, closing it right behind her.
As she left, my memories were in a blur I couldn't understand as all the visions were obscure, and there was no way to regain my memory.
"What would you like to eat?" Nora, my servant, asked politely, but I was not paying attention because I knew something was fishy, but it was too complicated.
"This is completely beyond me," I said to myself.
I took the cup on the table, which contained juice, sipping the contents, smiling triumphantly, and Nora kept gazing at me with intense curiosity.
Within a twinkle of an eye, my vision became blurry, and my eyes suddenly went blank, leaving me in a state of unconsciousness.
- Writer
