Hero Or Villaness

8 𝘠𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘈𝘨𝘰...

"I used to believe that the world is full of idiots..." I said to Amaranthos, who is lying down on my lap- drawing tiny invisible circles all over.

I feel a tiny bit uncomfortable or is uneasy a better word? Never mind that is just because of the hard yet slightly cold floor of the gazebo in Amaranthos and I's favourite garden is currently touching the thin layers of my white dress.

The gazebo is surrounded by enormous lush looking trees from behind us to cover some sunlight but right now the air felt humid. Indicating that it might probably rain soon.

Still, somehow it is a little windy because the bushes in front of the trees were moving in the direction of the breeze. It can be also said for the flowers that are encircling the gazebo.

It was quiet for a while just the sensation of small breeze scarcely tickling my cheek, and gazing at the clouds felt relieving after completing the Empress' work for the day.

I felt him look up and by instinct, I looked down to see his eyes that sparkled in full curiosity by what I said.

"Why-"

"Why do I think like that before? I just didn't like people much up until now though some are still annoying." I answered Amaranthos, cutting him short; knowing entirely well on what he is about to say.

He chuckled and told in a teasing smile, " I can never win against you... honey~"

My eyes widened for a bit but because I didn't want him to see my startled face- I started to look the other side to avert his gaze.

"Pfft..." I hear Amaranthos mocking me as I felt his fingers slowly start interlocking with mine as he also gently pulled me down towards him, squeezing me tight.

Feeling a little surprised, I glimpse to look at his eyes and unconsciously at his lips as he said, "I love you so much, Arista it's really more than you know."

There was another round of delicate silence and he just stared into my eyes, pulling one of my hands to feel his beating heart.

'Ba-dump' I listened to his heart say in the midst of the silence, there was no communication between us yet we knew one thing-- that we really want to make this love of ours work.

I felt my heart twisted in a tight knot, noticing my lower lip started to tremble. I tried to keep my tears at bay and whispered a short yet sincere reply to Amaranthos, "I love you too..."

Amaranthos started to pull me even closer towards him if that is even possible because he is already hugging me so tight. Later, it started to shower around us. The rain is quite gentle today like it is trying to make the memory more memorable.

I detest it because I know I don't need to remember more unforgettable memories in the future.

I felt an eye glaring at me from the distance as I checked to make sure Amaranthos is still closing his eyes. He is so I looked back, seeing a pair of eyes were brimming with pure bitterness and contempt.

I looked away, trying to savour the moment; dismissing the stares of loathing burning behind my back.

~•~•~•~•~

𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘋𝘢𝘺...

"Young Master, you will be staying here..." Athan heard Yoel explain to him as he saw him unlock a massive door that is 5 times larger than him.

The door looks so fancy there is even a golden shiny knob filled with tiny pieces of studded Amethyst and Indicolite.

Intimidated, Athan realized now that he is far away from his home. He felt his heartbeat and it is beating so rapidly that he didn't know whether is he scared or nervous.

Everything felt so new and different ever since he left home. He felt like he wants to vomit any moment as he felt his face becoming awfully pale.

Athan didn't like this place already even his instinct is screaming him so. He wants to run away but he doesn't have the courage to do that. Just by looking at Yoel and the rest of the guards of the palace, he is obviously no match for them.

All Athan wants and even needs right now to be in his mother's embrace but his mother is nowhere to be seen.

"Young Master?" Yoel calls Athan again for the second time.

Athan didn't notice, he began to do his mother's habit of pulling his fingers. Athan felt his heart sank because he started to feel even more homesick nevertheless he went in the large room that is greater than his home.

Instead of feeling amazed by the gold and treasures everywhere, Athan simply paid no mind to it because all he could think of is three things as he sat down on a large golden couch in the middle of the fancy room.

The first one is his mother, of course. The second one is the Emperor which might be his relative. The third one...

"Hey kid," Keres said beside Athan in an irritated tone. "That woman, the Empress she is-"

'Can you please be quiet for a while Keres?' Athan pleaded Keres in his mind as she responded back, "Yes, Young Master."

"Young Master, the master- Prime Minister Basar said that you will appear after the first performance." Athan listened to Yoel announce, instantly halting his short discussion with Keres.

Just out of the corner of his eye he saw the painting of the imperial family so he couldn't help but think of anything besides ways on how he could run away against the big guards.

Yoel is being kind now for he isn't doing anything but the moment Athan tries to against his master's wishes, he is sure that he might use force.

"Okay," Athan answered promptly, making a quiet yet unsettling atmosphere in the room.

At that moment, Athan starts to just clench his tiny fists on just thinking about how people keep bringing him to one place to another.

First Nezerra told him he needs training for some kind of powers, then the prime minister, and now he needs to be some kind of aura of a great ruler?!?! Like what does he need to become the next Emperor now?!?!

Athan thought that no one even had an inch of common sense to even ask about if he has family members that time or was lost except for Nezerra for apparently, she knew his mother yet still didn't help him find her.

Athan's young small head ached out of frustration for he inferred that more trials are ahead of him because he could feel it. Now the thing is Athan doesn't even know what to do already and that resulted in him to go on the verge of tears.

As time slowly passed, he heard someone knocked three times.

Yoel unlocked the door, revealing an old skinny man came with a ridiculous looking moustache that curled all the way up to his nose like a glue. The old man then started to open his mouth saying, "It is time."

"Young Master," Yoel called, turning to look at Athan as he stood up and followed obediently like a machine.

"Oh~ front row seats to the drama~!" Keres started laughing maniacally, following Athan outside of the empty large halls as they roam around.

"Oops, the first performance is almost finished so we better fasten our pace." The old man said, making Yoel nod; all start to walk quickly before Athan could properly look around.

When they reached the end of the never-ending hall, Athan heard a familiar voice singing,

"Just remember that even if we are apart I will only love you..."

Athan felt an unexpected chill on his back as all the hair's on his body stood. He knows that voice. Athan couldn't put his finger on it but he knew he heard that voice before but where?

He never went anywhere before except- oh... The voice he heard is the voice of his mother, no doubt. It's his mama's voice!

Seeing Athan realising this like a spectator in the background, Keres said, "Whahahaha, this is going to be fun..."

'Keres, what is going to-'

Before continuing his sentence, Athan heard the people loud gasps and shrieks from the other side; making him turn to look at the door right in front of him, no above him? Because like the other doors it is bigger than his own small body.

At once, Athan's heart skipped a beat upon hearing a familiar voice call out: "I should have never loved you..."