“Ohh,” Nikolai stared at her suspiciously for a few seconds before brushing off the look from his face. “You miss me?” He chuckled amusingly.
“Yes, I slept literally the entire day and didn’t see you.” She let out a small laugh, trying to sound quite convincing as possible.
“Well, good thing you had enough rest.” He held her shoulders, staring down at her affectionately. Gwen had to avoid his eyes, afraid that he might see through her eyes that she’s actually lying to him and keeping a very big secret from him.
“I….I... I have to go.” She moved a few meters away from him, tucking her hair behind her ears.
“Huh?? But you just got here.” Nikolai’s face mirrored confusion immediately. “Besides, you said you missed me.”
“Yes.” She chuckled nervously, scratching her hair. “I just want to check on a few things and I’ll be back.”
“Ohh...” Nikolai looked like he didn't believe her but chose not to question her anyway. Besides she might really have work to do here, considering the position she was in, in the castle. He really wishes to make her free. He hates the thought that the woman he loves so much works as a slave right under the roof he sleeps in. But it gives him so much determination to make things right for her, which he’s working on doing.
“Yes, I better leave now.” Gwen spoke, pulling him out of his thoughts.
“Okay, see you in a few minutes right?”
“Yes yes, a few minutes.” She did not wait for another word from him before exiting the room. She placed her hands on her chest, breathing out a deep sigh after walking a few meters from his room. She lied! Or rather chose not to tell him the truth. Now she doesn’t know whether to think she did the right thing or not.
*
“You must’ve heard Luciano is awake.” Elliot said as he stood in the throne room with Axel.
“Yes, I’ll be seeing him in a few minutes.” Axel replied with a shrug of his shoulders.
“You see, I heard he’s quite grumpy and wouldn’t want to see any-“
“That’s not a problem Elliot.” Axel replied, cutting him off. “He has always been like that.”
“Yes I know, but that’s not why I’m here though.”
“Then what are you here for?”
“Well, just to give you a tiny suggestion.” He replied with a smile, rubbing his palm together.
“Okay, what is it?” Axel asked, raising his brows at him dryly.
“Well, I think you shouldn’t tell Luciano the slave actually escaped.” He paused as if waiting for him to understand what he was about to say. “Tell him she’s dead.”
“Wait, what?” Axel shook his head, looking quite confused.
“Yes, he doesn’t have to know.” Elliot replied and shrugged his shoulders, moving around the throne room. “Besides, it’ll make him forget about her and have no other choice but to marry Sabrina.”
“Hmm.” Axel placed his hand on his jaw, looking like he was thinking it through. “Well, that sounds like a good idea.” He commented with his lip stretched into a sly smile.
“Of course it is brother.”
“Yes, and that’s you being you again.” Axel walked up to him, placing his palm on his shoulders. “Bringing very good suggestions and advice.”
*
Ariel decided to go see Luciano’s after finding out that he was awake. Even though it was obvious he didn’t want to see her, she couldn’t help staying away. She wanted to mak sure he was fine, and hopefully whatever spell that slave used on him must’ve been broken now. He would realize all that has happened and would feel sorry for it, he would disobey neither her nor his father any more.
“Luciano.” She called when she walked into the room, the guards shutting the door after her. “How do you feel?” She asked, ignoring the fact that he ignored her. She wouldn’t worry about that, after all her innocent Luciano is just under the influence of some charm which in no time would be gone for good.
“Luciano.” She walked closer to him when he did not even glance at her. “Uhh..” She frozed when he glared at her as she was about placing her hand on his shoulder.
“Don’t. You. Dare. Touch. Me.” His voice came out deeper than usual.
“Luciano, what has gone wrong with you?”
“That’s one question you should ask yourself.” He retorted, though looking quite calm. “Where is she?”
“Who?” Ariel decided to play dumb even though she clearly understood what he was talking about. The slave girl, why must she be all he thinks of. Ever since she came into picture she has never had the right relationship with her son. She brought a big gap between, making her look like she was the bad person here, when all she ever wanted was the best for her son and his safety.
She ruined everything.
Now, her son wouldn’t even want to look at her. She broke the bond between them, made sure they were enemies to each.
“You know who I’m talking about,” His voice brought her out of her thoughts. “Queen.” He added with a menacing look.
Queen??! Not mother like it used to be. Then Ariel realized something had to be done or she might lose her son forever. “Luciano?” The shock in her voice could not be hidden.
He scoffed, shaking his head. “Where is she?”
She paid no attention to his question as his previous statement still surprised her. She was trying as much as possible not to let fear take over her emotions. Fear of losing her son. “Luciano.”
He heaved out a small sigh, looking like he was running out of patience. “Where is Elea-“
“She’s been executed.” The door flew open and Axel stepped into the room.
Luciano snapped his head to him, his eyes already burning in rage. “What did you say?” He asked in between enraged breaths.
“You heard me right Luciano, she’s been killed.” Axel replied with a small nod.
Luciano looked up to his mother and back to Axel who stood at the door, trying to hide the look of shock on his face, not also wanting them to notice how those words sting painfully. “That’s not true.” His voice came out deep with so much venom.
“Well, it is.”
Immediately, his face morphed into a deadly glare, his eyes burning in fury. Ariel moved away feeling shivers run down her spine at the look on his face. “Well, guess what?” She swallowed the heavy lump forming in her throat when he asked. After a few seconds of silence, he added. “You just lost your son.”