Extraordinary - A WMMAP Fanfiction

Chapter 10 - Revised Version

For the past few days, Callista's life went in an almost routine manner. Day in and day out she would spend her time with Anastacius, living their lives carefree and without worry, almost as if nothing could go wrong.

But she wouldn't say that she hated it. No, in fact Callista loved the life that Anastacius gave her. May it be food, warm water to bath in, fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, everything was suddenly so easy to obtain that it almost came as a shock to the young woman how different her life suddenly became. It was almost like a fairy godmother from one of those story books she used to read decided to suddenly give her a happy ending.

Callista chuckled at the thought, earning Anastacius' attention as he softly brushed a strand of hair back from the side of her face, "What's so funny?"

Callista blushed at the action, but quickly shook off the butterflies flapping within her stomach to instead concentrate on the task at hand.

Both Callista and the Emperor were currently having lunch together outdoors as it would provide as a healthy alternative for the frail girl and a nice change of pace from the dining room. The Emperor was intent on filling the girl up until she gained enough weight so anything that helped with her appetite was a welcome sight.

Callista shook her head, "Nothing." She said with a smile, cutting a piece of meat to offer him as a means to distract the man from her earlier blunder.

Anastacius ate the piece of meat that was handed to him instead of rejecting it, approaching the beautiful woman in front of him only to give her lips a soft kiss, "Your lucky I'll let you fool me."

Callista chuckled, "You make it sound as though I've done something terrible."

"Didn't you know?" Anastacius smiled mischievously, "Lying to the Emperor is a crime."

"But I wasn't lying." Callista smiled, returning the kiss that was previously given to her, "So I committed no crime."

"You've become quite cheeky these past few days, huh?" 

"Only because His Majesty started it." Callista countered, her smile growing as she cut another piece of meat to offer to Anastacius, which he gratefully chewed up and swallowed.

"Let's go on a date."

Callista beamed at the suggestion, nodding her head in agreement before wrapping her arms around his neck for a tight hug, "I would love too."

An awkward cough could be heard beside them, causing the two to finally snap out of their tiny little bubble, bringing their attention towards the old butler.

Catching sight of his old figure, Callista hurriedly looks away, shame eating up at her nerves at the butlers obvious scrutiny. She wouldn't say that Chris was a bad person, but more so that she simply felt uncomfortable around him. She could tell at a glance that Chris did not approve of her, and she understood why.

"Your Majesty, you have a visitor."

Anastacius stood up from his position, smiling down at Callista as he softly stroked her soft blonde hair, "Why don't you prepare yourself? I'll look for you when I'm done."

Callista blushed, chuckling behind the back of her hand as she too stood from her seat, "I look forward to our date."

***

"What are you doing here, Penelope?"

With a perfectly practiced smile, Penelope elegantly sips the tea offered to her, unbothered by the unwelcoming atmosphere surrounding her or the fact that she wasn't invited to the palace, "Isn't it obvious?" She said with unwavering confidence, "I came here to see my lover, who hasn't bothered to visit nor send me a letter."

"But I did send you a letter." Anastacius countered with his mischievous smile, chuckling at Penelope's long pause before she sent him a hard glare.

"Are you perhaps talking about that ridiculous letter you sent me?" She grits her teeth, hand tightening around the handle of the teacup, "What did you mean to do anyways? By sending that ludicrous letter to me in the middle of the night."

"You don't need to ask me, I'm sure I made the letter clear enough for anyone to understand." Anastacius chuckled, standing up from his seat to head for the door. He grabbed hold of the handle, pausing last minute to look back at his former lover, "But in case you still don't understand, I'm breaking it off with you. I have no use for you anymore."

Anastacius closed the door, but not before hearing a few complaints from Penelope. She was angry, that he was sure of, "Chris," Anastacius called, turning his gaze towards the old butler while a smile reveals itself on his lips, "Is Callista ready?"

The old butler nods, pointing to his right as he soon after guides Anastacius to Callista's location.