Hero Or Villaness

"Arista..." Amaranthos whispered rather loudly to himself. Of course, not too loud to make Catherine, who is right beside hear yet the biggest factor that made her not hear is the crowd's words of praise and applause for the lady.

The atmosphere felt undoubtedly overwhelmingly cheerful yet a bit sombre. Nevertheless, the lady's performance will be remembered in their hearts and minds for her voice sounded like no other than they have never heard as many wiped the tears they have in their eyes.

It was, even so, moving to the point, even some of the strictest of nobles or merchants begin to clap.

It is like she felt the same pain and suffering of lyrics in the song. The pain of losing her love as the memories trouble her. Also the endless suffering she had to go through for just wanting to be happy.

The lady during her performance can be seen by all that she was pouring her heart in that one song like it is a message that she wanted to say to someone.

So as the people proceeded to applause even louder the lady bowed once more, slowly fleeing the scene.

During that time as the lady began to depart, Amaranthos eyes followed the leaving figure of the lady and something inside of him began to stir.

After all these years, he still undoubtedly hasn't moved on. He himself acknowledged that. He tried to love Catherine though he knew deep inside he could solely respect her as his Empress never as his lover.

If he was like his other predecessors, having dozens of mistresses for political intentions or that they couldn't keep their things still... he would start thinking himself as foolish.

Up until now a lot of people wished to make their daughters into his concubines however he would always reject their offers every single time for he knew it would break the balance of the different factions the moment he would marry one.

Not only that he knew that he didn't need so many heirs, but also women are not baby-making machines or he should have i.n.t.e.r.c.o.u.r.s.e every single day or night.

Having numerous of women around him are a headache. Arista helped him realized that in a good and bad way because before he also planned to have many concubines for political purposes yet ultimately chose not to.

When he looked at the lady exiting the centre of the ballroom even further, he couldn't help but promptly stand up resulting in some people of all kinds of classes to look at him in surprise and wonder.

Then and there, he went down the platform and started walking towards the lady causing great murmur as people made way for him.

"Your majesty, what are you doing?!" Amaranthos heard Catherine say in a slightly loud and bewildered tone, trying to keep herself calm.

Then without another word Amaranthos saw the lady started swiftly walk, and he did the same, and so did Catherine.

"Your majesty, please calm down. Where are you going?" Catherine's voice echoed throughout the entire quiet ballroom as she continued to shout yet those calls of hers were nonexistent in Amaranthos mind.

Amaranthos couldn't help but feel that the lady is oddly familiar to his ex-wife. Down to the feel around her, to her eyes, even to her toes. He knew she is dead but something is screaming within him over the past years that she isn't the one executed and burnt down.

He heard people telling the lady to stop yet it seems like she didn't hear or she chose not too like those calls are nonexistent to her like how Catherine calls for Amaranthos.

As Amaranthos proceeded with walking after her he saw from the corner of his eyes in the slit of her dress, the very same faucet-looking birthmark is on her right knee.

Then and there in mere seconds, his heart dropped and Amaranthos ran towards her yelling, "Stop!"

When he grabbed her hand abruptly, his eyes searched her own eyes. It seemed like forever but he stared down on her as he saw her slightly avoiding his gaze.

"Can you remove the cloth, please?" Amaranthos said in a slightly tense tone. His heart started to shake in anticipation, waiting for her answer; knowing that his theory is unbelievable.

"Y-your majesty..." The lady replied as it starts to tremble, making Amaranthos ears perk up. He heard the sound of high heels resonating around the room, coming boldly forward so he realized it is Catherine yet he didn't care.

The ballroom felt nervous, uneasy, and anxious as every single one of the audience is holding their breath waiting for her answer or Amaranthos to order her instead.

Without even a single warning, the lady removed the cloth that is covering her nose up to her mouth.

When he saw her face, a tear fell down Amaranthos as he whispered to himself, "I should really stop loving you, Arista..."

Everything is all a lie, Amaranthos knew it as he looked at the lady's face. She had always left him stranded- wandering in the middle of nowhere, lost not knowing where he is or even having a single clue.

When he first lost her, he realized he didn't lose just lose her body, he lost pieces of her overtime; tiny bits like her laughter, the sound of her nagging him, and any traces that she lived is gone right in front of him.

So yet again he lost her for the woman in front of him is not her, it never even was in the first place and it made Amaranthos say, "I should have never loved you."

It was ridiculous yes, everything is just a crazy coincidence because the woman he yearns for is dead and why is he even saying this in front of the performer in front of him? Is not even her.

In the middle of the dramatic scene, the door open causing everyone to look even Amaranthos.

The observers were all thinking one thing when the door opened that who in the world dared to interrupt such a spectacle in front of them?

At once, a small figure of a handsome young lad appeared in front of the long and huge staircase accompanied by a guard also the head butler of the palace.

Upon seeing the young man, Amaranthos' thoughts were filled with more memories of Arista and bitterness consumed him.

Remembering what Basar told him he uttered the young boy's name, "Ethan."

"Athan." Amaranthos heard the lady said with wide eyes and trembling lips.

A boy with a name meaning immortal?!?

Just by hearing what the lady said it made Amaranthos yank her arm rather forcefully which is out of character for him making the people and him surprised. He didn't know why he did that exactly but his gut told him something at that one moment.

"Who," Amaranthos whispered lowly, staring into her eyes like he is trying to search for something. She averted his gaze as someone then and there held his arm to release the lady.

There is only one individual, who dared to do that- Catherine. Still, he pushed her away from him; grabbing the lady's arm again but more gently this time asking, "Who are you?"