Chapter 26
When Cassius arrived at the courthouse, they bowed their heads and greeted him. He sat down at the high table, clearing his throat.
"Have you found a wife yet?" one of the Elders asked. "I heard you refused to marry Emily after everything. You know she's the one fit to be Queen of this Kingdom."
"I have found a wife for myself," Cassius spoke up.
"Who is she?" an Elder inquired.
"Anastasia," he replied, his voice firm.
The room suddenly fell silent, with the Elders' faces burning with anger.
"What? Why Anastasia, the traitor who killed your father?" an Elder exclaimed. "Tell us this is some kind of joke."
Cassius ground his jaw, feeling his anger rise up. "It is either Anastasia or no one."
"She doesn't deserve to be Queen after what she did," an Elder said.
"How dare you come here and tell us that you wish to marry a traitor?"
Cassius quickly stood up, his hands shot out towards the Elder, and he grabbed his neck. His eyes were burning with anger as he glared at the Elder.
"Dare to call her a traitor again and I'll snap your head off," Cassius threatened.
The Elder sucked in a panicked breath as he struggled to fight back, but Cassius was stronger and overpowered him. He released the Elder, glaring at him.
"She will be my wife soon, and she deserves respect from everyone!" Cassius announced.
"What?" Murmurs began amongst the Elders as they looked around in disbelief.
"Anyone who doesn't give her that respect will receive my wrath," he said. "And also, no one is allowed to call her a traitor."
He walked back to his chair and sat down. The Elders were too afraid to go against him and just glared at him from where they sat.
"Why's everyone quiet?" He smirked. "Is there nothing to discuss about?"
"Have you heard from Lucas?" one of the Elders asked. "We haven't seen him for a week, and we are starting to get worried."
Cassius shrugged. "I have more important things on my mind than to worry about him. His disappearance doesn't concern me."
The Elder's eyes narrowed at Cassius. "You mean your marriage to Anastasia?"
"Exactly," he nodded. "And I want you to announce to the whole Kingdom that I will be marrying her soon."
The Elders looked at each other in disbelief. They wanted to speak, but they were afraid of what Cassius could do to them. One of the Elders, who was bold among them, spoke up.
"Cassius, we can't just announce it to the Kingdom. You need to think this over again and consider if it's the right thing for you."
"Nothing will change my mind about marrying Anastasia," he said. "The people won't accept her as Queen."
"Oh, but they will," Cassius said. "Anyone who tries to stand up against me will be locked up in the dungeon."
The Elders shifted uncomfortably, with a look of annoyance on their faces. They knew better than to say a wrong word.
"Am I understood?" He tilted his head. "Very well. We will send a message to everyone about your upcoming marriage."
"Good to hear that," he nodded. Then he stood up from his chair and left the courtroom.
Returning to the castle, he met Anastasia lying on the bed with her eyes closed. He approached her, running his fingers through her hair, and she opened her eyes.
"Cassius," she called out.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
"I still feel pains in my stomach," she replied.
"You will be fine soon," he said. "I will send the doctor to check on your wound."
"How did the meeting with the Elders go?" she asked.
"They didn't accept at first, but they agreed," he replied.
"You told them so soon?" she asked.
"Yes. Or are you having second thoughts?" he asked.
"No, I want us to get married," she replied. "But I will need you to prepare a good house and give me some money to start a new life in another kingdom."
"Another kingdom?" He narrowed his eyes. "What happened to this kingdom?"
"The people will never accept me back here because of what happened," she replied. "I just need to change my identity and start life afresh."
"What about your family? Don't you have any?" Anastasia became silent for a moment before shaking her head. What's the need to acknowledge someone who doesn't care about her? She really needs to move on.
"I'm feeling thirsty," she said, reaching out for the cup of water. He brought it closer to her mouth, and she took a sip before pulling her head away. When his eyes moved to her wrist, he was surprised to see her veins had turned purple.
"Anastasia, your wrists are turning very purple," he asked, returning his gaze to her face. Her lips looked very dry, and she was pale as snow. "I don't know if I will survive to wed you."
She shook her head.