Episode 6

I didn't know how it ended up like this. Even though I told Alexus to go home, he insisted on coming with me. Luis, despite his calm expression, I knew he was annoyed.

I was facing them now. I ordered one of my handmaidens to give Alexus the bag of gold bars. He got it, but he still wasn't leaving.

He was behind the doors. Standing and looking in front of these... influential people.

Duke Eléftheros, Doctor Sean, High Priest Luis, the Crown Prince Carter, and lastly... their lovely leading lady... Innocence.

She's totally what her name screams. She's beautiful, pure, and innocent. No wonder these guys in front of me are wrapped around her tiny little fingers.

How ironic is that? While I was alone right here, unloved and hated, she was in front of me, getting love effortlessly and always had someone to stay by her side.

In the original story, this meeting never happened. I was supposed to see them again only on the day of Innocence's age of coming. It was also the day the appointing of knights happened.

I looked at them seriously. They were all looking at me coldly and intently. I felt grief. There's nothing new, anyway. I felt this way when I lost Mikael.

“Where were you? And, why are you with that guy?” Duke Eléftheros pointed to Alexus. I sighed heavily. I didn't care about their reactions.

Why is it a big deal to them anyway?

“I came out to ask about a certain guy— ”

“Why would you do that? And, who's this guy you were talking about? Friend? Or perhaps, a hit man?” Sean interrupted me.

I creased my forehead. “Why do you care anyway? What are you? My boyfriend? And, a hit man? Well, If I could, I would probably hire someone to shoot me dead right now,” I retorted. Duke Eléftheros exhaled sharply as if he was stressed out by my answers.

I also noticed that he was still staring at my hair. I had angrily chopped it off. I wanted to roll my eyes. They were so boring to understand. Mikael is a good man! I don't know how he wrote these characters! They're far from him.

High Priest Luis interrupted us. “Ordering someone to end your life with your own intent is a sin,” he said coldly. I was supposed to turn to him, but I accidentally looked at Innocence.

They were agitated by my stance. Especially Carter. The Crown Prince. I looked at them with humorous eyes. Really? I wasn't even doing anything! I just looked at them, and they were already acting like this?

“Then, what's the point of explaining my side to you? You kept asking me about things, but my opinions don't matter anyway. Believe what you want to believe,” I said coldly.

“We are here to discuss some things regarding your engagement with me,” the Crown Prince finally spoke. They were all looking at me. Even the servants. Probably checking out my reaction.

They didn't even pay attention to my last statement. They were anticipating! Do they think I would feel happy and excited seeing this man right here? Yuck. No.

“Doctor Sean told us about your condition. He thinks you were saddened because I wanted to call off our engagement. I don't think this is my responsibility, but since your Father asked me to cooperate, I will help.” He said formally.

I immediately shook my head. “Ah, no. Don't mind my Father— ”

Sean cleared his throat. I turned to look at him and I saw him glaring at me. Of course! Even though he was angry at me, he still wanted me to marry this guy! So that he could have his way with Innocence!

I glared at him without any reaction. As if I would let you. Go ahead.

They said more, but I wasn't listening anymore. Alexus was staring at me the whole time. I looked at him with boredom and gestured for him to leave.

But he remained standing there. This guy too. He was such a pain in the neck. Did he want to see me like this? Miserable and lonely?

I heard Duke Eléftheros scoff. High Priest Luis was just staring at me and sighed. While Sean was now grinning from ear to ear. The Crown Prince Carter was looking at me coldly. Innocence was smiling at me genuinely.

“After your two months of suspension, your wedding with the Crown Prince will be held. This is the King's order in gratitude for everything you've done for the empire. We have all come to this agreement— ”

“No. Stop that. I don't want to get f-cking married,” I looked at them darkly. Luis closed his eyes firmly. Everyone glared at me angrily.

Come on. Don't make it hard for me!

“No. I think you're just contradicting yourself. We know how you always wanted to make the wedding— ”

I left the room and didn't listen to what Duke Eléftheros was about to say next. I was about to go upstairs when a firm grip stopped me from doing so.

I turned to see who was holding me. It was High Priest Luis. I pushed him away forcefully. “Oh, Luis.” I called him rudely. Now we're even. He just called me, 'Malaya,' a while ago. Now, it's Luis for him.

“Did you also not know that touching a woman without her consent is a sin, in the eyes of the law?” I asked angrily.

But instead of letting me go, he tightened his grip more. His brother tried to stop him, but he didn't listen.

I glared at him. His eyes were piercing me too. I also noticed his brow slowly furrowing. I pushed his hand away forcefully again.

This time, he let go. Alexus was just looking at us as if we were some kind of telenovela. He even yawned as if he was bored with what he was seeing.

“Are you really, Malaya?” There was certainty in his voice. I was silenced. But then, I chuckled sarcastically. “What if I told you, I'm not?” I stared at him intently.

His eyes lit up like a silver night as he looked at me, down to my wrist. I was surprised. He seemed to realize what I was hiding when he raised his hands above me as if he was giving me a divine... blessing.

But no. It wasn't. It was... Divine Retribution! It was meant to shatter my soul into pieces!

I braced myself for the attack bravely. I consoled myself. I wasn't afraid. I can't die. He can't make me die.

But before the attack could even land on me... a swift blow of wind stopped Luis. I also stopped. A heavy presence behind me was lording us all.

A heavy gust of wind swept through. I saw Alexus looking at us again, but this time, both amused and satisfied. Then he ran away.

The mark on me was glowing. I heard Luis' calm breathing. He turned to look at who was behind me and sighed afterwards.

“What are you— ”

“Don’t lay another finger on my Master. I'm sure you know what I can do, Luis.” A cold voice said from behind me.

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