Chapter 18

I took a stroll in the garden as my mind is messed because of helly.. I think I really love lucas.. What do I do now..? I bumped into someone and looked up and it's claude..

"what are you doing here at this time.?" he asked as he covered me with his shaul.. He is the one who needs  it.. Always roaming around half dressed .. Does he not feel cold at all.?

" I can't sleep  so just taking a walk.." I mumbled as I adjusted the shaul.. Hmm. It's warm..

" what about your highness?" I asked and he is silent

" Did you have something on your mind..?" he asked as he walked beside me.

" huh.. Nothing.." I said. he stared at me and sighed

" you are really bad at lying just like Your mom.." he mumbled.. It's the first time he is talking about mom..

" mom.. Don't lie.? "

" no.. She just sucks at it.. It's easy to find it if she lies.." he said. His eyes looked a bit soft while talking about mom.

" is that so..? " I mumbled back..there is a silence after that.

" what did you liked about mom.?" I asked.. Since my mind is full of lucas.. I just want to talk about their love story..

" I annulled my engagement with penelope And went on a vacation to ease my mind to siodanna.. That's When I met her.. She was a famous dancer in siodanna and I think I fell in love at first sight.." he said and I giggled..

We stared at each other surprised

" it's just that.. I find it amusing.. You.. falling in love at first sight.. "I said and he frowned

" just what do you think of me ..? Well.. It's kinda weird to say this out.. But I really did I think.. Or may be I was attracted to her beauty at first sight..then realized she is more  beautiful inside  ..

After meeting her.. I really forgot all my worries.. She was always energetic and cheerful.. Everyone around her will be happy just by her presence.. She is like that... Such a Warm person.. Her warmness was what my cold soul needed at that time.... Even if I don't talk much she would always talk and would tell me so many stories.. And I never felt bored of hearing them."he said with a small smile..

I felt a bit sad hearing that... He really loved mom to the level of using Blackmagic to forget her..

" is that why you used Blackmagic..? "I asked in  a low voice and he nodded a yes

" at that time I really went crazy.. I wanted to die but I can't.. I was the one killed that bastard to get this throne so I can't leave it.. So I didn't had any other choice.. But..

He paused for a moment and his eyes looked sad..

I shouldn't have done it... To tell you the truth, I loathed you.. If it's not for you diana wouldn't have died that's the only thought in my mind.. I didn't considered you as my child and wanted to forget everything and ended up doing that..

But..

When I met diana while I was in coma , she scolded me a lot.. She was so disappointed in me.. I felt so guilty when she told me she never left my side and was always by our side.. We saw how you decided to save me and she was so happy.. She proudly bragged about how much of an angel you are.. And I suddenly felt like laughing  from realisation ..

I realised I was a coward and fool that I hated you, when you are the only family left for me.. Only thing left by her , looking just like her.. I am not saying this in hope you will forgive me..

I am just saying...

If I didn't used blackmagic .. May be I would have realised this sooner and you wouldn't have suffered this much.. "he said..

It's the longest he ever spoken to me.. His eyes looks so sad and guilty.. I feel sad.. I know I am not the reason but I feel responsible.. He found his truelove after going  through so much and lost it because of me..

" I am sorry.. "I mumbled and he stopped walking.. I looked up at him and he stared at me with a sorry face

" I should be the one begging you.. Not the  other way around.. You did nothing wrong.. don't feel sorry... "he said..

My heart thudded as it felt warm.. It's my first time he is patting my head.. eyes staring at me so kindly.. I thought, I would never feel this... Father's love..

" you are cold.. You should go back to sleep.. Let's go.. "he said gently holding my hand and took me to my room... Lily was shocked to see him but soon smiled bright.

He stayed beside me until I feel asleep.. I feel strange.. It's safe and warm.. He gently patted me after covering me with bedsheet and it felt so good.. Like I am a  child being doted by her dad..!! . . . I looked up at the sky which is bright in daze as lily nudged me..

"good morning lily.." I said and she smiled

" good morning.. I knew you slept well.. Since your father sit beside  you all night staring at you.. He even said you look adorable while sleeping.. His majesty is having his father days quite late in his life isn't he..? " she said and giggled..

He did that..?!! Really..?!!

" now.. Now.. Get ready.. "she said and I get off the bed..

I was walking in the corridor and saw lucas in distance.. He is talking to cabel as cabel is holding stacks of paperworks in hand..

He looks so handsome.. I was staring at him in daze and I noticed all the maids passing by are blushing and giggling saying something..

Haah.. Why he is so handsome..?! Tch.. This handsome jerk..

" athy.." I turned to see ijekeil staring at me with a bright smile.. I was having a moment sighting my man and here he is.. To annoy me..

"yeah.. What is it.. sir alpheus?" I asked and he frowned..

" Haah.. You are so persistent.. Calling me kiel would be  fine though.. Anyways.. Let's go.. His majesty called you.." he said.. I took a glance at lucas he is looking here... I can feel his gaze so sharp  from that distance glaring kiel.when our eyes met I felt my heart skipping a beat and I rushed to the chamber..

" your majesty..did you called me.? " I asked and he looked up

"ohh you came..?.. Can you go with ijekiel to an auction..?" he asked out of the blue..

" pardon.?"

Then he explained to me  in private that he gave ijekiel a secret mission to caught some nobles so he needs a partner to attend the auction held in the black market.. Jennete was supposed to go but she is suddenly not feeling well..i had no choice but to  accept as the matter looked  serious.. But I don't want to go

" your majesty.. Can I think about it..?" I asked

"athy.. You don't realise the situation do you..? It's serious.. I have to catch them on the act.. It's about human trafficking.. So many girls life is in danger right now.. " 

he said looking serious.. Haah.. He is doing this on purpose so  I won't  refuse him right.?

" fine.. I understand... Can I tell only to lucas atleast..? "I asked and he stared at me like I am nuts..

" do you need his permission or what..? For that brat to order around a princess "he mumbled pissed..

" it's not like that.. I just wanted to tell him " I said and he raised one of his eyebrows staring  at me

" fine.. What I have to do..? "I asked.. Kiel entered at the correct time with  a bright smile..

They then explained to me I have to act like his lover and enter the auction and help Kiel .. . . .

I came here with ijekeil as planned but a part of my heart feels so guilty that I agreed to this...

"athy... Check this out.. Isn't it pretty..?!!" I turned to see ijekeil smiling  at me his hands holding an earring near my ear smiling..

"aren't we supposed to enter the auction room.. What are we doing here..?" I asked and his face fell

"you don't even want to spend some time with me..? But.. I am so happy that you agreed to come with me even if it's just for the mission.."

he said with a sad face.. If it was in past I would have  definitely felt sorry for him but not now.. Not after I knew what he did to lucas..

" sir ijekiel.. Shall we go to the auction...? Please.. I want to go back to the palace soon.. "

I said and he nodded a yes as he tried to hold my hand but I instinctively pulled my hand  away.. I am sure he looked pissed which he  changed in split seconds.

" I have to hold your hand.. To look like couples.. " he said forcefully taking my hand..

Haah..... I want to go  back already...

P. O. V. Ends..

Lucas was roaming  around the market with cabel as they are on search for a escaped dark  magician.. He spotted a blonde  hair in the crowd and his eyes wided to see athy standing there with ijekeil... His heart felt like pierced with a knife... When ijekiel leaned closer and kissed athy..

athy got surprised when he leaned closer.. 'why he is suddenly coming closer..?' she thought

"what are you doing..?" she whispered as she felt so uncomfortable and wants to push him away but she can't because of the plan..

" please just stay still OK..?" he whispered back.. His lips curving into a sly smile as he saw lucas staring at them from distance.. Even though lucas was in disguise.. As a swordsman with mana.. He can detect that massive mana of lucas anywhere... Lucas  crumbled the papers in his hand which cabel stared at  confused.. His mana got intense  as his blood boiled and he had a fervent urge to kill ijekiel  ...

"lucas... Lucas..!!!!" cabel shooked him..

"calm down first... You are suffocating me..." he shouted which made him come back to his senses..

"huh..?" he turned towards him to see cabel panting.. He asked sorry and turned to see kiel staring at him with a sly smirk.. Nerves popped on his face as he was about to kill kiel.. And Kiel disappeared Amidst the crowd..

' That sly  bastard.. I am gonna kill him..'lucas thought unaware that he just pretended to kiss her ... His heart ached as  he looked down at the ground

' but what is Sia doing with that jerk..? She didn't told me anything...why is she out with him..?'he thought clenching  his fist.

"lucas.. Let's go... You need to calm down first" cabel said dragging lucas away... He wanted to follow kiel but a part of his heart is afraid to find the truth...

What if it's something shocking  to him..? What if  he will be betrayed again..? His heart trembled at the thought of seeing athy in a situation like that... Even though he is ninety nine  percent sure she won't do it... A tiny corner of his heart feared it... And that fear was deep enough to cover all those positive feeling inside him..

He teleported back to the palace tower and sit on the corner looking down at the vast and grandiose palace setting in front of him.. His face blank like a fresh white  paper..

. . . Athy flopped on  the bed tired as she finally came back to the palace.. She did her role well and the plan was a success..

"athy.. Come and take a shower" lily said and she nodded a yes.. She came out of the shower and lily helped her dry her hair.. She stared t the mirror in daze..

"lily... Can I go see lucas for a moment..?" she asked and lily stared at her confused..

" yeah.. Sure.. Be safe.. Shall I sent felix with you..?" she asked and she nodded a no..

"it's ok.. I know the palace inside out.." she said as she sprinted to lucas 's mansion..

She saw lucas coming back with cabel from the tower.

"lucas.." she called smiling but her face fell when he ignored and  walked past her inside the mansion..

" hmm.. Princess..i don't know why but he is like this since we went to the market... I don't know what's going on... But I think you shouldn't talk to him right now.. I never saw him  this pissed before..."  cabel said and athy stared at him worried...