Chapter 54 Chapter 54: A Dance with Shadows
Chapter 54: A Dance with Shadows
Vishiea’s POV
I am now preparing for the ball. I am unsure whether to attend or not. But if I didn’t, they would suspect me as Vishiea. Now that the Queen met me and suspected me strangely, maybe the Queen already told him about me. He won’t be surprised if he saw me in that ball.
“Lady Anastasia, Lady Cassie and Liliane are already outside waiting for you,” Yana informed me. I nod my head before getting my pouch. We decided to go there together.
Besides, I need company. Yana opened the door and I went outside. There I saw them putting their lipstick on.
“Wow, that dress is stunning, just like you,” Cassie told me, placing her lipstick inside her bag. I smiled at her.
“Both of you were gorgeous and stunning,” I complimented them. They giggled and I know they are excited for the ball.
“I just hope I can meet my mate there this time,” Liliane said. Cassie and I both laughed. She’s not only excited for the ball but she’s also hoping she could meet her mate.
“Gosh, Liliane, you’re really eager to meet your mate. What if you actually saw him tonight, what would you do?” Cassie asked her. She couldn’t say a word.
Well, all of us were actually looking for our mate. The one who’s already destined to us. But my case was different. I met my mate since we were just kids but as we grew older, the bond was the same as before. Because he chose another woman rather than me.
I assumed that we would live together, but happy memories are short-lived. Maybe, just maybe, destiny doesn’t actually want us together. Or we’re not actually mated together, maybe it’s just a mistake. Mistakes that I wish never happened.
That I just wish Rachelle and him were actually mated for each other, not me.
“Here we are!” Liliane said excitedly.
“Tonight’s event, the former king and queen together with the king will join us with our ball. They will also choose someone who has the elegance and wears the best dress to be rewarded by the former king,” one of the council announced.
“This is exciting.”
“I am thrilled that the former king and queen will join us tonight.”
“Who will be chosen for the rewards?”
“Lady Anastasia, I think that no other than you,” Liliane said. I just chuckled while my gaze was on them. Talking like a happy family while someone is suffering because of what they did.
Those smiles don’t even deserve to be happy.
My gaze went to Rachelle. So, she recovered from what I did to her already? But still, I could see that she’s wounded badly. Maybe she covered those bruises using thick makeup.
“There’s a lot of them who deserve that award, even the both of you,” I told them.
“But you deserve it. Look how those guys were staring at your beauty,” Liliane said. I just chuckled and didn’t say a word.
“Lady Anastasia,” someone said my name. I smiled at him as he got my hand and kissed it.
“Duke Kian Winston,” I uttered his name. He let go of my hand and looked at me.
“You don’t lose any beauty, besides you’re gaining more. What a gorgeous lady,” he said as he showered me with compliments. Cassie faked a cough, which made Duke Kian notice them.
“Oh, ladies. You’re all gorgeous.” He said, looking at them. He wouldn’t even recognize them if Cassie didn’t do that.
“Duke Winston, it seems like you’re staring at Lady Anastasia that long. Be careful, she might melt,” Liliane said. Duke Kian just looked at them.
“It’s indeed her beauty that can mesmerize me,” he uttered. After that, he drank the champagne in his glass.
“Alright?” Cassie said.
“I’ll have to go, I still need to talk to someone,” Duke Kian said.
We all nodded as he left.
“It’s nice seeing wonderful ladies here,” we all turned to look at who it was. That voice is familiar.
And I was right. When we looked at him, he’s Jaxon Steel, a Beta and at the same time the king’s friend.
“Thank you,” Cassie answered. However, he looked at me.
“How’s your feeling staying here, Lady Anastasia?” He asked me. I faintly smiled.
“Great,” I simply answered. I always saw Jaxon and he knows that. But the strange thing is that he didn’t even ask about my identity or he just couldn’t recognize me. But that doesn’t matter now.
It’s better if he doesn’t know it’s actually me.
“I heard a lot about you. You’re actually great at fighting,” he said, smiling. I just nod my head.
“She really is. She even defeated your friend’s fiancée,” Cassie told him. He chuckled.
“Well, that’s life. Sometimes someone would appear to defeat someone who is stronger than you,” he said, like he meant something.
“Now, may we witness the former king and queen dance on the dance floor,” the announcer said. We all watched them dancing together.
“Now, the king and his fiancée will join them,” the announcer said again.
I closed my fist while watching them together. Smiling, laughing, and enjoying this night’s party.
“Now, the councils have chosen the one to be rewarded. The gifts will be awarded by our former king!” Everyone got excited. The dance also stopped.
“I know it’s you,” Cassie said. I haven’t recovered from what he did to my father. I was loyal to him but he punished him that easily. The memories are still fresh—how I watched my father’s eyes while looking at me. How I watched them cut his head off. Right in front of me. How I begged them but they didn’t listen.
They never listened.
“Lady Anastasia Cullen, please come in front to receive your gift,” the announcer said. I won’t be shocked if I am the one who was chosen.
“Congratulations, Lady Anastasia,” Liliane said.
“You deserve it,” Cassie uttered. I slowly approached the king.
He wasn’t surprised at all when he saw me.
“The gift will now be awarded to her,” the announcer uttered. I saw the king’s sly smile. I felt a sudden pain in my heart.
“Congratulations,” he smiled. Didn’t even ask anything. He then handed me the gift but pulled me closer to him, then he whispered something in my ears.
“Victor Craine,” my father’s name. I felt hatred and anger as he spoke my father’s name. He smiled at me and turned his back.
However, I am still shaken because of his aura. What did he mean by that?