Chapter 111 Chapter 111: Dusk and Disclosures
\[Lilia\]
Having said that, this time, Val was right. Kael could have killed me that time even if Val had intervened. But he didn’t. I saw it. Even though it was only a flicker, something made him change his mind in a spur, deciding not to kill me. Though, it didn’t stop him from assaulting me, violating my rights as a woman.
He’s a damn walking catastrophe that ever happened to my life. But that was all in the past. He might be acting like an asshole now, treating me like I'm some piece of trash he dug up from the gutter. To say the least, he did something I never thought he would: He gave me a sense of freedom, letting me leave my room and do whatever I please.
“So many things have happened since then,” I mumbled, zeroing my gaze on the path we were paving just as we got closer to the stables, hearing the horses' neighs.
“That’s true.”
A pleasant silence descended upon the two of us. Val was looking straight ahead, but I could see his mind was also occupied.
Just then, a random thought came to my mind, and before I knew it, it came blurting out of my mouth.
“Do you have a special someone in your life, Val?”
He immediately snapped his head toward my direction as though the invisible bubble wrapped around him popped in an instant. I know it wasn’t my business to poke my nose into, but as much as he was intrigued by me, I was curious about his personal life as well. I considered him my friend, so at the very least, I wanted to know a gist of him.
“I don’t think that question follows our conversation,” he trailed off in bemusement, narrowing his brows at the bridge of his nose.
“No, but I wanted to know,” I prodded, shrugging my shoulders nonchalantly.
He thought about it for a moment, and I could see the contemplation flashing across his eyes before he finally answered. “Honestly, yes. There is a person who I have grown to like.”
Suddenly, I found myself interested in the subject, which awakened the gossiper that had been dormant inside of me for a very long time. It brought back memories of a similar sensation I got when I asked Aya the same question while we were talking about personal topics. Though, if Val wasn’t ready to share it with me, I would still respect his decision and not probe any further.
“May I know who?” I quizzed, my eyes wide with curiosity, completely forgetting everything that was bothering me just earlier.
Nevertheless, the thrill quickly dissipated as soon as Val laughed contemptuously and responded gloomily.
“No, she’s unavailable.”
My mouth gaped, and I felt the urge to scold myself for even asking. But then, I had already started it and was dying of curiosity. So, I inquired a little further.
“Is she married already?”
Val looked down, biting his lower lip before he lifted his head and met my awaiting gaze. He gave me a wistful smile as he reached for my head and smoothed down my disheveled tangle of hair that looked like a bird's nest.
“You can think of it that way, sweet cake.”
The rest of the day was spent galloping along the vast rolling lawn of Kael, the beastly great. Copper and I became one as I rode her, skirting around the forestland and reaching near the fences, with Val tailing behind me on his beautiful midnight-black stallion.
“Ah, I love this breath of fresh air,” I sighed in contentment, spreading my arms as Copper throttled into a halt. I closed my eyes, inhaling the crisp sunset air that filled my lungs. I was careless about my hair, my windswept face, and my countenance.
I was enjoying myself.
This was a little freedom I could still indulge in without seeing Kael’s face or that bitchy fiancé of his.
“Sure, your little pleasures, but not another step forward.”
I heard the pounding of Val’s horse, snorting loudly as he stopped right next to me, gingerly telling me not to advance further and jutting his chin toward the humming electric fences.
“I know that. You've told me hundreds of times already,” I lowered my arms and turned my full attention to him, deriding his watchfulness.
“Just reminding you,” he shrugged, holding the reins and tugging them lightly. “I know how hard-headed and devious you can be, to say the least.”
Well, I couldn’t blame him for saying that. I am aware my petty plots have on occasion gotten me into trouble that brought perpetual scowls to their faces. But I just couldn't help it. They annoy me so much that all I can think of is an escape from this place.
“Must you always say that to me?” I murmured, tearing my attention away from Val and turning to the setting sun as it cast beautiful shades of scarlet, orange, purple, and pink onto the sky.
In my peripheral vision, Val steered his stallion closer to my side and admired the scenery. We were on the sloping side of the landscape—a perfect spot to witness the sun descending behind the terrain and watch the birds as they flew through the dusk on their way back to their nests so they could be with their families.
It is such a peaceful place in this chaotic world I am in.
“We’ll stay a minute longer, sweet cake. We need to head back soon before Aya is looking for you,” Val said, breaking the silence that had blanketed between us. Not that I even noticed that none of us have spoken a word for a while.
“A minute to admire the sunset,” I responded without looking at him. I cannot simply just tear my gaze away from such beauty or miss a second that would pass by.
A minute went on for a little longer than we had anticipated. The stars started to appear in the sky when we decided to return to the mansion. The cacophony of cicadas was singing in the background, harmonizing with the soft thumping of our horses’ hooves against the grassy lawn.