The Last Farewell

*Chapter 88*

"Tell me," I demanded in a low tone.

Back in Argenta, he also had the same scent of tobacco as Frederick. I could accept that because they sold that perfume in a limited number. After I got to know that, I changed Frederick's perfume right away and personally asked the perfume maker to make me a very distinguished and unique scent of freesia that they hadn't sold yet to any market.

My main ingredient at that time was freesia because of his reasons back then.

*"Because that is how I distinguished your scent, my goddess."*

*"I am not sure if you still remember what I said on my first night staying with you but you have a very addictive scent. The scent of sweet-smelling flowers and summer fruits... You have the same scent of freesia which is why that is my safe word."*

I remembered them. That was why his new perfume at that time meant for Frederick became special to him. I remembered how obsessed and delighted he was when I gave that special perfume to him. He looked like a little pup in a wolf form and kept wagging its tail.

And now... someone was wearing the same scent that made my blood boil.

"What must I tell you?" he asked in a teasing tone.

I distanced my head a little. I hated when this man was acting like this. His action suddenly made me remember Frederick.

Which reminds me... I named that man from Prince Atticus' second name. So, every time that I would think of Frederick, it also meant that I was thinking of His Highness as well.

Damn it...

"Where did you get that perfume you were wearing?" I asked cautiously.

I couldn't just accept the fact that someone like him kept copying Frederick's perfume. It was insulting on my part because I was the one who purchased them for Frederick and now, this bastard was indeed trying to make everything complicated.

"I have no idea what you are talking about." He shrugged, feigning ignorance.

My face darkened at what he said. I calmed myself and must try to turn the table just as I always did to Frederick before.

I changed my expression to a stoic one before I drew closer to him. I saw his eyes widen inside his mask and his Adam's apple that moved up and down at our sudden closeness.

I could tell that his eyes were exchanging glances between my eyes and my lips. I could see how it affected him. He reminded me of Frederick.

That just made my heart ache.

I averted my gaze and distanced myself as I gripped my skirt. I castigated myself not to think about Frederick again. He occupied my mind these days which was why I needed to halt myself from thinking about him.

"Would it have been better if our marriage had happened, Marchioness Argerich?"

I shot him a glare and almost fished out the dagger underneath my skirt upon hearing that question. "Do not even talk about marriage here, Your Highness," I threatened.

"Why not?" he asked in a sing-song tone, shrugging his shoulders.

I clenched my hand and drew closer again. I caught him stepping back. "Because of you..." I paused and smiled bitterly. "I had a miserable life. I shall never forget how you ruined me..." I said through gritted teeth, expecting the anger I felt towards him.

I rarely saw him so I must take the opportunity of telling what I felt the time he broke our engagement.

Prince Atticus didn't answer. Even so, that wouldn't halt me from telling more.

"I hope your mate rejects you so you shall feel how I felt at the time you humiliated me." I was sixteen at that time.

Young... and naive...

I caught him clenching his hands. I was surprised a little at that reaction. He looked displeased at my words based on how he was glaring at me. I felt bitterness because it was lucky for him to find his mate while I was left in despair of looking for Frederick.

"The execution of former Marquis Reginald Argerich shall commence today."

We both snapped back when Judge Escal spoke. My eyes looked straight when I saw Reginald was being dragged through the crowds while the subjects of the Sowinski Kingdom were throwing tomatoes or stones at him.

I unfolded my fan and couldn't help the smile creeping to my lips when Reginald looked my way and saw how his eyes lit up in disgust. But I saw anger in them.

"He must be dead!"

"Kill the traitor!"

"You bring shame to our kingdom!"

The people were mad as they kept throwing things at him. Reginald was struggling while the royal knights were protecting him as they sauntered their way to the platform where his execution should happen there.

Reginald looked in my way. "Novalie!" he screamed like it was his last breath.

I remained smiling to insult him. I wanted him to see that our positions were exchanged. I was supposed to be the one who must be executed but the result came otherwise. He brought this to himself and put everything in despair.

I turned to His Majesty who was busy speaking with Father. I hated to disturb them but I wanted to ask for a favor from His Majesty before Reginald would be executed.

"What are you planning?"

I glanced and frowned when Atticus spoke. "It is none of your business," I said and returned my gaze to His Majesty.

I didn't move when he drew closer to my ear and felt his presence behind me before he whispered, "I can escort you to speak with your ex-husband for one last time."

I looked at him, wide-eyed. "How did you know my plan?" I asked, surprised.

I could see his eyes dancing in amusement. "I can easily read you."

I frowned. "No, you don't."

"I can read you, Novalie."

I squinted my eyes. "Do not even dare to call me by my name. We are not close enough to call me. Haven't you received education for etiquette?" I asked mockingly.

Calm down, Novalie. You must not disrespect him in front of His Majesty. It would be my humiliation as well if His Majesty felt disrespected that I kept lashing out at His Highness, Prince Atticus.

I heard his muffled chuckle. "Interesting..." He sighed and offered his hand. "Come. I shall escort you before the execution begins. You cannot be able to speak with him once he is dead, right?"

I looked at his hand. He was wearing gloves. I wondered what his hand looked like without them. I thought about what he said and realized he was right. In the end, I accepted his hand. "For now, I shall allow this interaction with you, Your Highness."

My heart leaped when he placed a kiss on the back of my hand while looking through my eyes. "Certainly, Marchioness Argerich." He didn't wait for me to process everything as he stood up.

"Where are you going, brother?" Alistair asked when we were about to leave.

Atticus turned at them. "My ex-fiancée wants to speak with her ex-husband for one last time," he said before he turned at me. "Right?"

I wanted to stay away from him but my hand on his was already held tightly by this bastard. I tried to remove it but he wouldn't let me and kept holding my hand like his life was dependent on it.

But one thing I noticed was the way he held my hand. It was making my stomach somersault because his hold was somewhat familiar to me.

In the end, I allowed him before I looked at Alistair who had an amusing expression. I meant, even Alpha King Azarius, Alucard, and Alejandro had the same expression. I could almost hear His Majesty that he would keep teasing me that I was getting along with Prince Atticus which was not true.

"Yes," I said with a bow.

Atticus didn't wait for his brothers' response as he already guided me to the platform where Reginald was. I smiled when our eyes met. It was amusing to see him in this position, kneeling and having a frightening expression.

I even looked through the crowds to see Patricia and Jonathan who were wearing cloaks having remorse expressions except for Patricia who had the same expression as Reginald. I glanced at Jonathan and nodded my head at him. He did the same, understanding the situation before he looked away.

I bent my knees and grabbed a handful of Reginald's hair before I drew my face closer to his ear. "I hope you are going to have fun in hell, Reginald. I had fun in our marriage for four years of trying to almost kill each other. It was unfortunate that we cannot do those things anymore in how we expressed our love to each other. It is also unfortunate that you cannot even meet your mate," I whispered with a sardonic tone smeared in my voice.

I wanted to let him know that those words I uttered were the words I had been practicing for the years of my marriage to him. I had been wanting to tell them so he would understand that I had never been so happy in our marriage.

Reginald scoffed. "May the Moon Goddess punish you and bring you to hell with me," he said, smiling bitterly.

I chuckled. "About that..." I paused and whispered something in his ear. I revealed something that he would surely find unbelievable. I heard his soft gasp as he looked at me, wide-eyed. I tapped his cheek. "Do you get me now, Regy?" My lips curled up into a smirk.

"No way..." He looked frightened before he turned to where Father was.

I looked at Father and saw that he had a look of bewilderment. 'What did you tell him?' he asked through mind link.

'Just a *small* revelation, Father...' I said meaningfully and smiled but his eyes widened.

Father even stood up in no time. 'You cannot do that!' His voice sounded horrified at my action.

I held my hands. 'Relax, Father. Reginald shall be executed later. He would never reveal it to anyone.' He didn't say anything but he looked displeased at my actions. I turned at Reginald whose eyes were darting on me. "We shall see each other again, Reginald. I promise you that," I said before I turned my back and glanced at Prince Atticus. "Shall we return to our seats now, Your Highness?"

He looked at me, slightly appalled before he nodded and offered his hand to me. I gladly accepted it.

"What did you whisper to him and remained silent?" he asked when we returned to our seats.

I looked at the platform and saw that they prepared to settle Reginald in the middle. A few royal knights had a bucket of pure liquid wolfsbane in their hands. They were soon ready to pour that to Reginald in the large basin where he was there inside.

I glanced at Atticus and smiled meaningfully. "Something he must have been frightened of from the beginning, Your Highness." I was in a good mood now to speak with you. But until the execution was over, I would act hostile toward you. I wanted to say.

"And that is?" He sounded curious.

I looked at Reginald as they began his public execution. He was screaming in pain as soon as the wolfsbane was poured on him. "Something about me," I said and returned my gaze to Prince Atticus whose eyes had a look of bewilderment. "Who I really was as Novalie Argerich, Your Highness."