Forgotten

-Chapter 23-

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After I got the tears to slow down a little, I left Leo's office. He still had nothing to say after I exposed the truth. That he knew. And didn't help. That he knew and watched me eat dinner after it happened. That he knew and then lied to me.

I moped around the rest of day, avoiding all my friends. I decided I just needed some time to think. After all, I couldn't trust anyone but myself. But that was a well known fact. I guess I just needed a reminder. The wedding planning committee tried to get me to come to some meeting. Cake tasting or something like that. But not even a delicious treat could remove me from this slump.

All I could think of was how he knew and why he let it happen? Why would he want this "enemy" to succeed? I mean I know he doesn't like me but I know he hates to lose even more. I wondered deliriously around the castle until the sun went down. The wedding was dawning on me. Only a mere three months away and all the excitement and sparkles had vanished. The past couple days have distinguished any kind of light I held onto to. I was completely blanketed in darkness.

The only thing keeping me going was revenge. I avoided all emotions, turning them towards anger instead. It consumed me entirely. The urge to kill Leo right now ate at my mind, but I couldn't. Not until I secured his kingdom as mine. Not until I could finally save my people from my father.

I was so lost in thought that I didn't even notice Sofia had stopped me in my tracks. She held me firmly by the shoulders, her eyes staring at me like daggers. "What is up with you? You didn't come to lunch or your wedding meeting. And we were supposed to have movie night tonight, remember?"

Guilt crushed my soul. The past weeks have been stressful on everyone so Sofia, Angelo, and I planned a movie night in the castles lavish movie theatre. And of course with all the madness, I had forgotten.

"I'm so sorry Sof. I've had a lot on my mind and I just forgot. I'm so sorry." My blubbering apology only made Sofia crack a small smile. "I know. Which is why Angelo and I created a whole snack platter to go with our movie. If you would still join us of course." A sigh of relief came pouring out. I was scared she was going to be angry with me, even though that's not how Sofia works.

"Of course I'll join. I need it." Sofia laughed and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. As we walked down the corridors towards the movie room, Sofia decided to dig deeper. "So why exactly have you been so stressed. Trouble in paradise?" The irony of that statement made me scoff. "You could say that. Fiancé drama and all." Sofia smiled but I could see the concern in her eyes.

"You can talk about it with me if you want. I hope you know that." I nodded, "I know. I'm just not ready yet." She squeezed my shoulder in assurance that she understood and before I knew it we were standing in front of the big red and gold adorned double doors.

"Tada!" Sofia yelled excitedly as she swung the doors open. "Welcome to the palaces very own movie theatre!"

My eyes nearly popped out of my skull. The room was about half the size of a regular theatre but the detail made up for it. Four rows of five plush, black leather recliners took up the center of the room. Towards the back where we were currently standing was the snack station. Snow cone and popcorn machines, a mini fridge full of beverages and a cart filled with the world's most delectable candies. Off to my left was a private one-person bathroom and to the right of the room was a basket of neatly stacked blankets with the kingdoms emblem embroidered on each one. Directly in the front of the room was the giant screen. It was embedded into the wall and it glowed softly even while turned off. Two ginormous speakers were mounted to the ceiling on either side of the screen.

I didn't even feel my jaw go slack and my mouth gape open but Sofia laughed and it broke me out of my stupor. Angelo was standing in front of the couches holding a platter of meats, cheeses, and crackers, "Welcome to movie night, our future Queen." He bowed lightly and the platter wobbled in his hand for a minute.

A harsh giggle came out of me and I nearly shocked myself to death. I haven't laughed like that since I was a little girl. And I loved it.

"Ah yes, please let my future Queen enjoy every appliance this place has to offer." My heart skipped and a shiver ran down my spine. My body would recognize that voice anywhere.

LEOS POV

The goosebumps were evident on her soft skin and I loved how she reacted to me. I was standing here for only a few seconds before I spoke. But it was just long enough to hear that beautiful sound come from my fiancé. I've never heard her laugh like that before and a part of me hated that I wasn't the one to cause it. Another part of me hated that I enjoyed seeing her happy. But on the bright side, seeing her upset made me happy, too. Feelings are conflicting and I don't like it, so I chose to shut them out for now.

"Movie night in my castle and I wasn't invited?" My sarcastic tone made Athena turn around. Her face was flushed in anger and her bottom lip jutted out in a pout she was unaware she was even doing. Her fists clenched at her sides. It was hilarious.

"Hello, mi tesoro." I said smugly. She rolled her eyes and continued to just glare. I took a moment to enjoy her like this. Angry, worked up. Gorgeous. She was wearing a pair of satin night shorts that rode up on her thighs a little too much. A matching silk crop top went along with it and also showed too much cleavage. I couldn't decide if I wanted to rip the clothes off or whisk her away so no one gets to see her like this.

"Don't eye-ogle me." She hissed and I suppressed a smile. "Tesoro, we don't need to argue tonight. Let's enjoy a movie? Shall we?"

My dismissal only made her more angry. "We need to talk." She mumbled before taking my hand and yanking me into the private bathroom. I heard Angelo whistle before the door was slammed shut.

Athena instantly pushed me up against the wall, "Why did you lie to me?! Why did you let that happen to me?!" She was pleading, desperate. I saw tears line her eyes but she was stronger than that, they were quickly blinked away.

"I had to let him think he won. His ego will become so big he'll be blinded at my advances. I'll get him once his guard is down."

Her chest stopped heaving and the anger melted from her face. "You're supposed to be the one to hurt me. Not let others do it for you." Her forearm came up my neck and the anger returned. She pressed hard, blocking my windpipe. I could easily take her down but I wanted to hear what her retort was, so I just smirked. "If you are such a weak man that you have to have others get to me to gain a higher hand, than you have it coming for you. And don't worry about that man, my father had him killed." The smile on my face dissolved instantly. Her arm released and she shoved past me and out the door. "Don't mess with me like again." The door slammed shut.

I was still frozen in place. She has no idea the damage she has just created.