Feint (Royal Society #3) COMPLETED

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Three

Owed Life

Denying the truth is futile. I should have known that but I still am craving for it, because only then I won't get hurt. I won't be disappointed by what I discovered. I won't be in misery because I knew what I should have not known.

But if this is the truth being laid down in front of me, what am I suppose to do? 

I already planned different scenarios if I ever encountered a situation wherein I won't be given much choice. I would let it go because I hate holding a grudge. Or I would be mad but that only for the meantime. It's useless to get mad over something I have no control over.

And among those... the best solution I have in my mind was to deny the truth. How petty, Amara. Just like closing the door behind me, leaving Carrine inside. I thought I can continue with my plan but I was wrong.

Ate Hena was waiting outside and she immediately stood up upon seeing me. I saw how worried she is but I can't hear anything she says. It was like she was talking to me but my ears are closed and locked to hear her.

I was only brought back to reality when she shook me hard. I wish I didn't have to face this situation though. But now that I can perfectly hear her, it just makes me feel awful. I wanted to be angry and furious at her, but how could I when it's her?

"What did the Custody say, Amara? I heard Carrine took the blame and admitted the truth. But I don't understand, Amara, why -"

"Did you agree to Danae's marriage?" I said, cutting her off.

She stiffened, unable to speak. And when she did, the first thing she said was, "how did you know?"

I chuckled as tears formed in my eyes. She wasn't denying it. 

"Iyon talaga ang tinanong mo?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko sa kaniya. 

She blinked and bit her lip. "A-amara..."

"How could you let her? How could you approve of their marriage? How could you let that happen? Ang daming tanong sa isip ko, Ate Hena. Ang dami... pero ayaw ko madinig kasi kapag ginawa ko iyon parang inamin ko na din sa sarili ko na totoo nga."

With my quivering lips, I smiled at Ate Hena. The person I look up to the most. The person I cherish the most. The person I would sacrifice everything for. She's in front of me, crying and begging me to hear her out. 

The person whom I respect the most is at her lowest right now. 

Nasaan na ang pangako mo sa sarili mo, Amara, na hindi mo kailanman hahayaan na magmakaawa ulit ang Ate mo? Na hindi mo hahayaan na maging ganito ulit ang sitwasyon niya? Na kailanman hindi mo na hahayaang maulit ang dati? 

"Please hear us out! My father is an honorable man! Please hear us out!" Ate Hena pleaded while kneeling. I stayed on the side like she told me to but my heart aches as I watch her. I wanted to kneel beside her and plead as well but she shook her head, signaling me to stop when she saw me move.

I diverted my gaze when the door of the head of the Imperial Family opened. I held my breath while waiting for his verdict. 

"Athena, your father is not an honorable man! You know that better than anyone. He is a tricky and wicked man! He practically sold you to the East Clan yet you are protecting him?"

Ate Hena shook her head right away. "No! No! No! My father is not like that! Archi is someone you cannot fool easily that's why he can tell if I am just someone brought to ruin him. Believe me, Your Excellency. I'm only stating facts, please have trust in me."

His Excellency did not speak but there is doubt in his eyes. Then he slowly walked in front of Ate and knelt his one leg. "But the thing is, Athena. We don't believe in words anymore, especially a word from a traitor like you."

He stood up. "A traitor who failed in her duties and fell in love with the Prince instead. Have you forgotten? You were sent there to dethrone Queen Sanaiah!" Then he looked at me. I immediately tensed with the way he stared at me. He smirked and it sent shivers to my spine. "Your father already sold you, what difference would it make if I also sell your sister? Perhaps to become a wife of the advisor, this time?"

"Your Excellency! She's... she's only eight! How could you say that?"

He laughed. "What? Even Princes get arranged at the age of seven at most! Come on, Athena, just think of this as a preparation for Zachary. It's not like you don't know how it works. Your father did this to you as well and you are now living well. Don't you want your sister to have the life that you have?"

"I.... I will dethrone Sanaiah," Ate Hena said and stood up, facing him. "I will make sure that she will be out of the Palace... just don't touch them. I already lost my mother, Your Excellency. Please don't make me lose them as well."

"Well then," he smiled and tapped Ate Hena's cheeks. "Tell your father to stop mourning already, it's been years." Then he left, leaving Ate Hena weak as she fell to the ground.

I ran towards her and hugged her. "Are you okay? I'm sorry you have to see that," she whispered as she caressed my hair. I snuggled to her closer, still trembling. Ate Hena forced me to look at her. Her eyes are full of assurance. "Everything will be alright, you just have to forget what happened today."

I nodded... but I didn't let what happened to be forgotten.

"Amara, just listen to me, okay? You don't have to forgive me... just listen, hmm?" I shook my head at her. Tears fell from her eyes when she saw how I rejected her offer. Her hands placed on my arms also fell. 

I looked at her as I was reminded of the past. "I thought... I thought for a moment I could finally be angry at you. To actually plant hatred in my heart towards you. To be furious at you even for a second. But I can't, Ate Hena. How could I... when you had to sacrifice your life for me? You even had to change who you are because of me. So how could I... tell me, Ate Hena."

"I told you! I told you to forget that! Didn't I tell you that, Amara? Why do you have to live your life for me?!" 

"Because you're the only I had."

She looked at me with pain in her eyes. "Is that why... why you had to live your life for me? Is that why you always put me on your priority? Is that the reason why you always sacrifice your life for me? Even in the little things... ako palagi ang inuuna mo..."

"Because you owe me? Is that it? Amara, kapatid mo ako! I would do it in a heartbeat in the next lifetime. I want to spoil you like Mama did for me. I want to do everything I can to make sure you live in comfort. I want to become the best for you. If I have to exchange my soul for those, I would."

"But what can we do now? We don't have much time left," I said as I saw the officers of the Custody coming to our way.

Ate Hena looked behind her and she took a stance as if she was protecting me. "I am the Queen of the East! No one will touch her. This is an order," she said in an authoritative voice.

"Your Majesty, you can't do that! What are you all doing? Hurry and escort Her Majesty to the East Palace."

"Halt! Didn't you hear my order?"

"Your Majesty! Amara is an accomplice to a crime concerning your son. Do you really want to turn a blind eye to it?" 

I held Ate Hena's arm, telling her to stop. She looked back at me and I returned her a smile. Like what she did then. 

Slowly, she took a side step. I nodded at her and smiled. The custody went in front of me and opened the decree. 

"Today, Amara Luelle Luelle Nastia Ventilacion, an Imperial Family member,  is hereby become a commoner. She is ordered to leave the Capital immediately, and shall hereby obey."

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Hello :)) Sneak peek from Athena Kristalline's story from the Crown Series - East Book 2.