Chapter 73

Desse walked into the dinning room gorgeously dressed on her red gown. She had the slightest make-up on her face which enhanced her beauty the more.
Matt played the widest smile on his face as he kept staring at her from the door.
She bowed her head. ' My Lord." She smiled.
' Please, have a seat." He gestured her to sit on the chair opposite his. ' I'm delighted to see you tonight. Thanks for accepting my request. '
She smiled again. ' You're welcome. '
' Go on, have a taste of the meal." He urged her to eat.
Desse felt royal dinning with Matt. She has never sat with a prince before, neither have a taste of the royal foods.
She was avoiding his gaze, it was getting her uncomfortable.
' You look beautiful, My Lady." He complimented.
She blushed. ' Thank you. And I'd say, you look more handsome tonight."
He bit his lower lips. ' Your compliment had made my night already. I believe I won't regret having you as my queen. '
' You won't. ' She smirked.
They continued their meal in silence, but would only talk when he has something to say.
' Would you mind for a walk with me outside the walls?" He requested. ' Since we'll be joined by next week, I was thinking we should get to understand each other more better. ' He suggested.
' That will be a great idea. I would most likely love to have a walk with his highness." She hesitated to put the spoon of salad into her mouth.
' I just realized something right now." He said, like he has just recalled something he had forgotten.
' What is it, My Lord?" She asked, trying to look interested.
' You did wanted to tell me some thing earlier before the guests came. What was that?" He reminded.
Desse's heart flew out then back to it's chamber. She had already forgotten about that, surprisingly, he haven't.
Now, to talk about the beast's case to him would be like she's been up to something behind him.
Or he might think she's trying to help free the beast in order to kill him.
Not just that, what else is she gonna say to cover up the fact that she did wanted to talk about the beast?
Does she have to go ahead telling him? She did promised to be loyal and faithful to him, hiding it will definitely prove her words wrong.
Would it be better to prove her words wrong to her enemy than to betray the one person she hopes for?
' My Lady?" He called, bringing her back to reality.
She faked a smile, pretending like she had been thinking of what it was she had wanted to talk about.
' I uhmm鈥� actually I can't remember right now. You know, there's a lot we did talk about then and, plus other stuffs in my head, I don't think I can recall what it is. '
He nods. ' I understand. I guess I'll have to mind how I push things too forward, you know, you have to be focused until we're done with all this. '
' I'll let you know what it is whenever I recall correctly. '
********
She went to her room, her palms tightly folded together. She refused to have him walk with her.
She's been trying hard to erase the thought of all he's done to her off her head but no, it's all stucked up there.
She knew being with him would end her to her grave. First, freeing the surviving rogues back home, and others yet to be realized.
' What will you do when he rises?" She heard a voice which sounded like that of Camila her best friend.
She turns her back but didn't see anyone with her. 'Camila?" She called, surprised.
'I told you to live for me, and not to embrace your death." She said again, Desse's eyes searched around.
' You can't see me, but I can see you." Said the voice.
'I have no choice."
'You do. Getting married to Matt isn't the choice you've got to choose. '
' And hoping on the creature isn't either. I don't know why you guys keep telling me this over and over again, no one is gonna survive as far as he is alive. I serve as Matt's maid, he's gonna kill me too.
Hold on, you think those words were fantasy's or some Cinderella write ups? No, cos they felt like a threat to me. They still do. '
' And you did believe that? '
' Excuse me, what am I supposed to do? Rejoice? Oh, come on. '
' The flower keeps withering every minute, it's getting older faster and faster. You don't have any much time left, Jane. Please, reconsider your decision and choose wisely. ' She encouraged.
She has already made up her mind, and they were final. The beast was the last thing she ever wants to think of.
'I wish I can listen to you, Camila. I really am sorry but鈥� I already made up my mind, and I'm working with it. I hope to see you soon. '
' You don't know what you are doing to yourself. You should have listened to the girl. Holland. '
She heaved." I know you all want the best for me but鈥� I have no business with the beast. Thinking about his rise won't save humanity either. Do I seriously have to stress my brain all day just because of him? '
' You don't understand."
' Of course, I don't. So you should probably explain better to me."
' It's not about thinking of him that matters, what matters is supporting the truth. What you're doing right now is siding the wrong person. Matt is evil."
' You want me to side the so-called right person and end up dying for nothing? Gosh, what are you guys saying because I don't think I understand any of these. That dude wants me dead, isn't that enough to explain to you that I don't have any reason to live?
I side with the right person, I die. I side with the wrong person, I die too. Who am I gonna side with, myself? I already did that, and I say I stay with the truth. I will be with Matt until the world's so-called hope is freed and then, we'll all die for a reason."
' Are you even listening to yourself? '
' I'm pretty sure I heard myself talking. '
' You still have hope for living. What if he had only said those to frighten you? '
' Then he should find something else to joke around with rather than my life and hey, don't try convincing me he's innocent because he isn't. '
' Why are you so stubborn? 'Camila said, sounding mean.
' I just started." She replied, nonchalantly.
'I see, all thanks to your so-called pathetic boyfriend for changing your life. 'She said out of annoyance.
' Husband. ' She corrected. 'As from today, you refer him as my husband whether you like it or not. Now, good bye. ' she walked away with confidence.
*********
She laid her head on one pillow and another in between her thighs. She closes her eyes but couldn't sleep.
The thought鈥� It's still with.
**********
The beast sleeps silently, his breath slow and calm. Since the day Desse had take him off her mind, he has been consciously on his own.
He's been asleep for this past few days, and each second that passes by, his breath would rise and fall in anger.
He was angry at his brother. He was angry at everyone who serves him. And he was angry at her for betraying him, for serving his enemy.
He knew he had only but a little time to stay locked up in the cave, but he was becoming impatient already.
He wants to be freed. He wants to take his revenge. And he desperately wants to watch his brother fall to his knees in cold blood.
And nothing can permit that but time. Just a little while, everything will be over.
But the question is, how long does he have to wait?
The flower, it was becoming more weaker and it's colour were gradually fading from red to a light pink colour.
The beast was using this period to sleep. But not just the kind of sleep we do know, he was accommodating as much power and strength he'd need to face his brother and the hundreds of men who would challenge him.
While he still sleeps, a thin faint voice called his name. ' Riel." At first, it sounded much like a whisper. 'Riel, wake up." Said the voice a bit louder than before.
Slowly, he opens his eyes, staring around the cave. 'Who are you?" He asked in a husky voice. 'Show yourself."
'You don't deserve to see me." Said the voice.
'So, what do you want from me? '
The voice begins to laugh, and this got the beast pissed off. 'If you don't have anything to say to me then leave, I am very busy. '
He shuts his eyes again, but the voice calls his name again. 'Riel."
He opens his eyes in annoyance but said nothing to the voice.
'Well, I am here to keep you company. You've been locked up here for centuries now, don't you mind for a company? '
' I have lived here alone for years, I can still live for the few days I've got. I don't need your company. So do me the favor of leaving. '
' Ouch. Don't be such a rude being. I know right now all you want is revenge, but do you think that is the right thing to do? ' She asked.
' I don't need someone to tell me what is right and wrong. My brother betrayed me. He let her curse me. I am suffering because of him and no one not even you will understand how much it hurts to be betrayed by your blood. '
' I understand. '
' No, you don't. '
' And why should I believe that?"
First, a star. Then, a sparkle which kept increasing in size until it was big enough.
There appeared a figure dressed on a white butterfly gown which swept down to her toes, covering almost every part of her white boots.
She was backing him, then slowly, she turns to face him. She looked gorgeously fair and her skin glitters like the stars. Her beauty was extra ordinary compared to any living creature on earth.
She wasn't putting on a smile, but her lips wore the most expensive pink colour which enhanced her beauty the more.
Her black hair was so long that it reaches to her waist, just above her butt. In her hand, she held a small white stick which looked like a cane but had golden decorations on it.
'Because, I am the Moon Goddess." She said with a smile. 'I've always longed to meet you, Riel Rutherford. '
Her voice alone can make the angels freeze. She possess the most amazing voice which is melodious to the ear.
Those white teeth were as white as snow. She was just a perfect definition of what she is.
Riel would have doubted that he was actually staring at the Moon Goddess, but one can judge by her appearance that she really is a goddess.
'You are not here to set me free, are you? Because you would have done that a long time ago. '
' Light and darkness has nothing to do with each other. Even if I am to free you, witchcraft stands against the rules of nature and of Zeus. 'She walks to him, touching one cheek.
' I believe you are innocent, I saw that since the very day she had cursed you. And I will not stand against your judgement. But, do not take it on the innocent ones. '
' Earth has nothing to do with my anger. '
' I know, and she has nothing to do with it either. '
'She betrayed me. 'He said with anger.
'I know that too. She didn't just wake up and betrayed you, you know what you had said was really hurtful. She trusted you, she believed you were going to bring freedom to mankind.
But鈥� rather you threw a threat to her face. You made her see the monster you aren't. No matter how angry you are, don't let your beast have control over you.
It hurts to die in the hands of the one you love, same as it is to die in the hands of the one you hoped for. ' Looks at the flower. 'Patient, my dear friend. Sooner you will be free. 'Looks at him again.
' My time is limited, I must leave now. But I hope to see you one day in your human nature. Good bye, Prince Riel. '
She disappeared.