✓ | The Assailant's Affection (Fate's Transgression Series, #5)

TAA 17: Fragment

CHAPTER 17: FRAGMENT

FABBY | FABIENNE

Halatang nagulat ang hari at reyna, pati si Zaryn sa sinabi ko. Bakas ang pagtataka, galak, at panunudyo sa kanilang mga mukha at halos hindi ko na rin magawang tingnan pa kung may ibang ekspresyon ang mga ito sa sinabi ko.

I tried to maintain my composure, despite feeling cold in my system. Gusto kong panindigan ang sinabi ko kaya hindi ko binasag ang sinabi ko. It's not a joke, and definitely not a hoax.

"I think Fabienne still needs to rest, your majesty. My departure is just around the corner, I already sent a message to Narta that I will be coming back," Zaryn broke the stillness of the atmosphere with his unwavered conviction. Halatang gusto niya talaga akong iwan.

"I am perfectly fine, and functioning well, your majesty," depensa ko naman agad sa sinabi ng katabi ko. I was exuding a confident and calculated expression to not break from my act. "Isn't it unfair that he gives me a mark without my consent and wishes for me to break it so he can set forth to Narta? I'd rather go with him and fulfill the end of the love bond, right, your majesties?"

"I can see her in your, Sasha," the king uttered and looked at his wife with a delicate smile on his lips.

"A Duexeviz always turns the tables on their sides," the queen uttered proudly. Sabay silang tumingin muli sa amin na may mga ngiti sa kanilang labi. "Well, Fabienne. Marriage is a form of love union, does affection hold between the two of you for us to give blessing?"

"Yes/No."

Nagkatinginan kami ni Zaryn dahil hindi kami pareho ng sagot. I can now feel his darting invincible daggers at me, and I didn't dodge his attack, I also stared at him intently.

"If hindi mo naman pala ako gusto, bakit ginawa no 'to?" Pinakita ko sa kanya ang palapulsuhan ko. That tattoo is turning bright red, it was light before but the color became pigmented as days went by. "You did it by protecting me? Wow, marami ka naman pwedeng gawin kung paano ako protektahan, but instead, you marked me. You gave me a love bond!"

"I admit to my mistake, but you are not forced to adhere nor bear the consequences. We can simply put an end to this if you reject that," he firmly said. His undeterred conviction starts pissing me off. He turned to the King and Queen and slightly gave them a bow. "I know that the King and Queen shall uphold countermeasures for occasions like these. I have no intention of marrying Lady Fabienne, let alone bloom an affection towards her."

"Aray ha!" bulalas ko. Dahil sa inis na nararamdaman ko ay hindi ko na napansin ang kamay ko na sinapak ang balikat niya. Ginawa ko pa sa harap ng hari at reyna. "Harap-harapan mo akong ni-reject, hayop ka!" dagdag ko pa habang nanggigil na hindi siya sapakin ulit.

"You hold affection for the Zegordian Gentry, Fabienne?" the king asked. I know his question was just a teasing remark, but I also know they wanted a verbal answer.

Sinamaan ko ng tingin si Zaryn bago ako tumingin sa hari. Before I talk, I exude a firm expression and a determined aura to amplify my decision. "I believe we only share a common goal, your majesty. Lord Callaghan will go to Narta to solve the missing people's case. You mentioned that being separated from the receiver bears consequences, and I shall not want that for Zaryn. Also, for me to become ready as the next ruler of Emerald Forest, I must experience the slap of reality. This marking wields advantages, and I am grabbing them tightly."

"You do know what capabilities of a love bond, do you?" Zaryn asked me. Hindi ako tumingin sa kanya dahil naiinis lang ako. "You need to reject that before you start feeling much more than you can imagine."