Chapter 63 Chapter 63: Chains of the Past
Chapter 63: Chains of the Past
Vishiea’s POV
Darius is a hard-headed man. He doesn’t know how to listen.
My men told me that he stayed outside the gate. Didn’t move until last night. I am not expecting that he would do that. But that doesn’t matter now because when I went outside, he’s no longer there.
I know he’s just acting, doing that to fool me. But not again, not this time.
“Anastasia,” Aunt Kennedy walked towards me while I was busy reading books. I placed it on the table and looked at her with a smile written on my face.
“Aunt Kennedy, I thought you went to your mate’s place?” I asked her. She shook her head and gave me a warm hug.
We both sat on the chair while waiting to see what brought her here.
“I learned from your men that the king came here and visited you,” she said. I avoided eye contact with her. She knows my past and I know she came here to talk to me about it.
Aunt Kennedy and Mother Kiara have similarities. They both cared for me. However, Mother Kiara is a silent woman who wants to live a peaceful life, someone who would choose silence over a fight. While Aunt Kennedy always fights for what is right and for fair justice.
I love both of them because since I came here, they both take good care of me.
They both showed and made me feel the love I’ve been longing for from my biological parents. They didn’t hesitate to accept me for who I am.
“He did, Auntie. But he already left,” I told her. She nodded her head and sat on the couch. I know she’s here to tell me something.
“How’s your stay in the kingdom?” she asked me. We met there at the party. Maybe she only wants to know what I did there.
“Not pretty, Auntie, but I met friends,” I told her. She nodded and smiled.
“How about the king and you? After he found out that you’re Vishiea?” she asked without hesitation. I avoided her gaze, not wanting to talk about Darius and me because there’s nothing between us.
“Auntie, Darius already cut ties between us since I was exiled. Besides, he’s already happy with his fiancée,” I told her. It’s been a while since someone here asked about Darius.
“I don’t want to meddle about it, Anastasia. All the decisions are up to you, but I’ve seen what happened yesterday. He’s desperate to talk to you,” she said. Her voice was calm yet it hoped for something.
Darius never wants to be with me. He only wants something and I still can’t tell it now, that’s why he’s acting that way. I had enough of his lies and he can’t fool me again.
“Auntie, Darius has changed completely. If I give him a chance to talk to me, that would only be a waste of time. Because no matter how long we talk, or how deep our conversation is, he will remain who he is right now. A cheater. And a cheater is always a cheater, Auntie,” I told her. She let out a deep sigh. She stood up and walked towards me. She sat beside me and held my hand.
“People change, Anastasia, they always do. We always do. Even you, you’ve changed. But sometimes people need a second chance, a third chance if necessary. I know you’re hurt, you’re in pain. I could feel it even in the beginning and I understand that,” she started. I know she’s only doing this to enlighten me.
But I don’t think giving Darius another chance is necessary.
“But look, don’t you think he really wants to talk to you badly? He even traveled from there and stayed outside in the cold night hoping that you would give him a chance,” she added. She actually knows. She knows everything; she’s only observing.
“How would I be able to do that, Auntie? I still can’t forget everything he did to me. I am still a prisoner of my past,” I told her, looking outside. She caressed my back.
“That’s the real problem, that’s why you can’t talk to him. Listen, Anastasia, don’t let yourself live in the past. Don’t let the past control you. Sometimes it’s easier to live without hatred in your heart. It’s hard to forget but you will struggle to live if you can’t do that. Just try, darling, try to talk. Ask him even if you already know the answer. Just hear him. Fix things between the two of you,” she told me. Tears fell on my cheeks. I shook my head while holding her hand.
“I don’t think I could do that, Auntie. I don’t think I can talk to him and fix things,” I told her. She smiled and tucked my hair behind my ears. She squeezed my hand.
“I know. I feel the same thing. Just like you, I have experienced things before but I faced my fear. I gave it another chance. I listened to them until I realized—hatred would not make me happy. Forgiving doesn’t make me less of a woman,” she uttered. That caught my attention.
Did she experience cruel things also?
“But how did you even think of forgiving or listening to them?” I asked her. She chuckled, which confused me.
“I see myself in you before, Anastasia. Just like you, I also asked too many questions. But the only answer for that is when you’re willing to face your fear. And when you do, you’ll find the answer to your question,” she told me.
She stood up and smiled at me.
“Just try. It hurts, I know, but now it’s not too late. You have to fix things between you and Darius. I am not telling you to come back to him. I am telling you this to stabilize your emotions. For you to live in peace,” she said before giving me a quick kiss on my cheeks.
“Well, I have to go now. I still have tons of things to do. Goodbye, I’ll visit you again next time,” she said, and we hugged each other.
“Lady Anastasia, the king is here again. He’s outside, waiting for you. He also has gifts and letters again,” one of the guards said. I let out a deep sigh and walked out of my room. I went to the balcony and saw him outside. He’s holding flowers and gifts while looking inside.
“Should I let the king enter, Lady Anastasia?” the guard asked. I turned to look at him.
“No, he can’t enter my place.”