Chapter 75

The entire hall was cold and silent as if Zeus had just ministered destruction upon mankind.
'I am very sorry for the interruption," Matt apologized. ' So in order to show my sincere apologies, I have decided to host a big party for you all. Eat until your satisfaction. '
Matt just know how to win the heart of his people. His words brought comfort and happiness, but that actually didn't work out for Desse.
Even while the party went on, she sat still with her eyes buried to the table.
The trauma of seeing the beast hunted her like he was just right before her.
Somehow she hated herself for acting rudely to him. If only she knew he had only but a little time left to stay in the cave.
But on the other hand, she had no choice. After all, they were all gonna die.
Matt noticed this, he touched her hand. 'Hey, what are you thinking about?" He asked in a way only her could hear.
'Nothing. I'm just鈥� not in the mood to eat." She replied.
'Are you sure?" He asked. ' Or did you eat anything before the ceremony? '
She shook her head. 'I don't feel like eating anything. '
' Is it because of earlier? ' She looked at him but didn't say a word. 'Well, don't worry about him, no one is taking me away from you. And no one is definitely gonna take you away from me. '
' I don't know why but, I just feel so scared right now."
' Scared of what?" He asked.
' I'm scared of everything. I'm scared of losing you and鈥� and I am scared of dying."
'Hey, it's okay."
She sniffed, wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand. 'I'm sorry. I鈥� I think I need some fresh air."
He nods his head. 'Okay. '
She left the table, burying her face to the ground as she left the hall. She went to her room, as soon as he walked in, she bursted into tears.
She fell beside her bed, resting her head on the soft material, pouring out her tears as if it would be her last.
He said he had seven days to take off the crown. That really felt like a second to her. As far as he is freed, nothing feels normal anymore.
She can't stop imagining his face, what he looks like. The anger which obviously played on his face wasn't those normal kind, they were those for battle.
She felt a soft hand on her hair, rubbing it gently. 'Why do you cry, dear one?" Asked a voice she has never heard before.
'I messed up. I am a fool, stupid and鈥� and I am a coward. I really did messed up everything. I hate myself already." She cursed.
'Hey, you're not a fool and you never messed up. You had a choice, and you chose it. 'Said the voice.
' I had a choice and I fu*ked it up. I was so scared. I thought getting married to him was the best option. But you know what, I don't regret it. He promised to kill me even when I didn't do anything wrong, so鈥� ' She wept.
' Crying won't solve the problem, dear one. '
' I know, because I'm definitely going to die no matter what. It's pointless crying. 'She cleaned her face but the tears fell the more.
'No, I wasn't talking about that. You have to understand something, whatever choice we chose is for a reason. Every action we play is for a reason.
We can't question fate for putting us in a condition we don't wish for. And if I were in your shoes, I will make the same choice you made. But鈥� ' She paused, then continue. 'you should have known, the beast wasn't a human at that moment.
History must have told you the words of the old witch on him. All his thoughts are revenge, anger and hatred. All you needed was patient for him."
' And you do think he would have let me go even if I had patience for him? '
'Yes. '
For the first time since the conversation, Desse decided to look at who she was actually talking to.
Her face sparkles, shinning like the sun. Desse had to cover her eyes in order to get a clear view of her face.
She was so beautiful to the core. Her smile was a comfort to her as she stared at her lips. And those white teeth which exposed from the now broad smile gave her hope that there was indeed a chance to live.
But the question is鈥� Who is she?
'Who are you?" She asked.
'My name is Diana." She answered, the smile not fading from her lips.
'Diana." She repeated, like it meant a lot to her.
She nodded.
'I've heard that name before. I mean, I read about it in the library."
' What did it say?" She asked, playing curiousity.
' They said it was a precious name given to female beauties who were recognize as goddess. And sometimes the names do follow then and most times, they end up being a goddess."
She rose an eyebrow like she had just remembered something. 'Hold on, Diana." This time she called the name like she once had a friend named Diana. 'You are鈥�" she points at her, 'you are the Moon Goddess. '
Diana smiled, with a soft chuckle. 'How smart of you to have recognize me."
Desse blushed in excitement. 'I鈥� I think that's because of how much I love reading. You know, ' she sniffed, ' it has always been my hobby and like a part of me. '
Diana touched her face. ' Now I see why Riel chose you."
Desse stared at her in confusion. 'I鈥� I don't understand. What do you mean by that?"
She smiled again. 'You aren't the only one who desperately wants him freed. But haven't you wondered why you? Out of thousands of people, why does he chose to use you?
That is because, in as much as you hoped for him, he believed in you too. He saw how confident you were, and he knew he could trust you. '
' I鈥� I don't鈥� I honestly don't know what to say right now. I mean鈥� I'm so confused. ' She said in a shaky voice.
'Right now, you don't have to say anything. You still have a lot ahead of you. This isn't the end of the journey, more are yet to come both the good and the bad ones. But the question is,,, are you ready to face them? '
Desse sighed. That was a simple but difficult question. One she isn't ready to give an answer to.
**********
The ceremony was over, Matt walked to his room, drunkenly. He opened the door but didn't see Desse, it was then he recalled she had left the party and haven't returned.
He regained a part of his sense on seeing the bed was empty. 'Jane." He searched the room with his eyes. 'Desse!"
He shuts the door close, heading towards her room. If she isn't there, then he will have no option but to take action on his brother.
He just doesn't trust his brother's leave. Maybe, somehow he had waited for Desse to show up and then鈥�.
He remembered during at the ceremony hall, the way he had glared at her, he knew he was up to something bad.
Now, that was his fear.
He pushed the door open, she was sleeping peacefully. Her breath soft in the ear. He walks in towards her bed.
He sat beside her, shoving her hair softly in his fingers. 'I wish I can be there for you, to prove to you how much I do love you. I have never meant to cause harm to you. Please, give me the chance to prove myself. I promise, I will never let a finger touch a strand of your hair." He pecks her cheek." Good night, My Lady. '
He leaves, shutting the door gently after him.
Desse opened her eyes, tears had already clouded it, now they made their way down her cheeks.
She heard all he had said, she listened to it all. The pains, she could feel it deep down in her heart.
Remembering the words of the Moon Goddess it made things worst. What's her fate? Is there still hope left for her?
She shifted the blanket away from her body, stepping out of the bed. She left the room in bare feet, not wanting to cause a noise with her slippers.
Still in tears, she walked to Riel's room, standing before it. She places her hand on the door, closing her eyes.
She could see the inside, the walls of the room were cracked. The flower, the same thing which had happened to that in the cave, happened to it too.
That was the source of the noise earlier. That was why it was kept in his room? To create awareness of his return?
She takes her hand off the door, opening her eyes.
'I鈥� I'm sorry I鈥� I doubted you. I never wanted such fate but鈥� you made me chose the wrong choice. I trusted you, I hoped for you more than anyone but, you turned my trust!!"
She shook her head, tearfully. ' I thought you were what history said of, maybe I was wrong. Even though I had chosen the wrong choice, I still believed in you. I always have you in my dreams, watching as you take the throne all to yourself.
I don't care if you walk out from nowhere to have me dead or whatever, and I'm not telling you this to spare my life, I'm not scared of dying anymore. ' She sniffed hard, wiping her tears off. 'Thanks for coming for us. Good night."
She walked few steps away from the door, she turns. 'Good night." She said again.
***********
Matt couldn't sleep with the threat thoughts in his head. He never expected Riel's rise so soon.
Seven days?
Though he tries to hide that feeling, but deep down in him he was scared of what his younger brother has become.
Seven days? To take off the crown?
For years he has hoped and waited for this day, why will he sit and watch his brother take it from him?
He has worked for this. Dreamt of this. Hoped for this. Then, he will just take it off?
'Riel, I will kill you!!" He yelled. 'I won't let you take my glory. I will watch you fall in your cold blood."