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Chapter 8 - Reunions

Emma's POV

'Long time no see.' he greeted as he walked in; catching me off guard. His eyes were filled with resentment. He hadn't changed a bit even though it's been about two years since I last saw him.

'Yes, it is.' I responded stashing my surprise.

'If you were wondering how I got in....' He blurted holding up a key with his finger. He still had the keys to my quarters with him. 'You weren't fond of changing your possessions that easily so I trusted it could still unlock the door to your home.' he explained snickering. Seems like he didn't come with good intentions, his laughter wasn't genuine and it was too frequent.

'You were the last person I expected to see I muttered and sloped into the armchair behind me. He didn't react to what I said instead he walked away toward the painting on the other side of the room. It must have fascinated him so much that he had to take a look. He walked away from the painting and steered towards me slowly and quietly. Fear built up in me gradually and I could hear myself breathe shakily. I felt like I was trapped in my own home with a demon I permitted to come in.

Soon he was standing beside me and leaned forward bringing his lips to my ears

'You miss me, don't you?' He mumbled kissing my ear softly.

'Alfredo' I moaned losing my sense of thinking. Of course, I miss the man I was determined to get married to. Those petty emotions streamed through my body, my heartbeat increased as I reached out for his face. He knew what I wanted so he leaned in slightly more and planted a kiss on my lips. I called his name again–quietly this time.

Unfortunately, it didn't last long as he tightened his grip on my neck unexpectedly. I groaned at my folly; how could I believe he came back to be mine once again?

'Why did you kill her?' He yelled. I could see the despair in his eyes as tears glistened in his eyes.

'I....Al...' I picked my words but I could not say anything. Probably today is the day I will die too. But I couldn't do anything to save myself as tears trickled down my cheeks–the desire to live.

'When I finally verify that you killed her, I'll come back here and kill you with this too.' He whispered pointing a knife to my throat. He pushed me off the armchair and I bruised my forehead and he left abruptly.

No one will tell me to stop crying today, the other day I felt deserted by Alfredo just like this–Diane was there stroking my shoulder and wiping those tears off my eyes. That day has been reiterated today but there was no Diane by my side. I believed I had gotten over my love for Alfredo but today I discovered that I buried that emotion somewhere inside me and today he easily accessed it.

I should have done the right thing then but it was too late.

Athena's POV

The soft music that played somehow restored my courage. It was hard to succumb to Papa's will, but I sat there in the room of maidens wearing a topaz red Kiso with the traditional heavy hairdo and my leather footwear strapped firmly to my legs. The woman was painting my face.

'Your eyes are swollen. Have you not been sleeping well?' She asked concerned. I looked away from her, avoiding her gaze. After a few moments, she continued painting.

My nightmares had aggravated and now I was always scared of being alone.

I should have told Liam about this but I couldn't, somehow it didn't feel right that I was going to become the young queen. My heart twinged as I thought about it but I couldn't figure out why I felt so.

' You are ready.' she declared. I watched the next girl sit down as the woman in charge walked toward her. I thought of taking a walk around the castle since it was my first visit.

*****

'Ouch!' I winced in pain as I almost fell to the ground. Whoever held me from behind had good reflexes and was kind too. I tried to maintain my stance and after a few seconds of effort, I eventually did. My Kiso made it difficult to walk around freely, I would have loved one of my dresses. 'Thank you.' I muttered, shifting my gaze to the temporal savior.

'Who are you? Why are you loading around the castle?'

I glared at him but the royalty badge hanging I his neck got my attention. He was either the King or the Prince and I had to be respectful and humble. 'I'm sorry, my Lord'

'Is that how you glare at people without this?' He questioned pointing at the badge on his neck. I got caught by him. 'Wait a minute, I know you from the Academy. Do you remember?' He asked eagerly. 'Athena!' He finally remembered. 'You're with Liam, aren't you?' He asked again and I nodded in agreement. 'I've been looking for a day like this! To meet the lady that knocks Liam off his feet.' he chuckled. 'I am Prince Authur O'Marshall'

I wondered if I would be causing a crisis for myself if I told him I was here for the new wife selection.

But then it all started from there. The girl that glares at the Prince of the village, that was how it started.