Forgotten

-Chapter 33-

VOTE & COMMENT ❤️

After Aries was released from hospice, Leo had her sat immediately in front of a computer. She tried to track the text back but even the best hacker I know couldn't get it. She got really down on herself for it but I assured her it was okay and we'll find whoever it is no matter what. She hasn't stopped trying since then. And thankfully, no more bodies have shown up.

The wedding was dawning on us too quick and the committee was going insane. After Aries was released two weeks ago, she was immediately fitted for her dress and forced to pick out her heels. I was also forced to sit in countless, too long meetings to pick flowers, food, and guests.

The wedding was just a month away and the entire palace was up in chaos. Decorations were already piling up and the chefs were forcing food samples down my throat. I've hardly seen Leo in all the havoc and it was honestly for the better. Can't kill him before the weddings, of course.

"Princess, we need you upstairs immediately!" One of the head wedding planners yelled in my face as she hustled past me. Her name was Selena and we've gotten awful close in the past month, but not by choice. She's been at my door almost everyday with at least a hundred new questions. She was very short and a little pudgy with a round face and beautiful features. Her dark brown hair cascaded down her back in natural waves and her big brown doe eyes made you warm up to her really quick. "What exactly is happening?" I asked as she grabbed my hand and dragged me up the steps. Most people wouldn't grab the soon-to-be Queen and yank her along but Selena wasn't most people. And I liked her enough.

"The Prince and his best man are trying on their suits today and I want you to be there to make sure you like them." I quirked an eyebrow, "Isn't it bad luck to see him in his suit?" I questioned and Selena just laughed, shaking her head. "No, darling. It's only bad if he sees you dressed up!" I nodded along like I cared and we finally came to a stop outside Leo's bedroom. "Why is it in here?" I asked, annoyed.

Selena shrugged her shoulders, "His Majesty refused to do it anywhere else." I rolled my eyes and mumbled under my breath, "Of course."

Selena knocked gently and then swung the door open, "Your Queen has arrived!" She gushed as she threw her arms up, gesturing to me. I laughed at her silly antics and stepped into the room. Leo eyed me curiously, his lips curling a little, almost into a smile. "Hello, mi amor." He spoke, all dark and sexy. Selena swooned and pretended to faint. I laughed and he glared at the wedding planner.

"How do I look?" Angelo suddenly burst through the bathroom doors. He looked dashing in a light grey suit with a lavender bow tie . His ashy hair was slicked back and he smirked as he noticed I was standing there. "Hey, Ant. Good to see ya. What do you think?" He asked and spun around. "So handsome." I said in between giggles. Leo glanced between the two of us, his usual scowl painted across his face. "Ant? Seriously." He muttered and I'm pretty sure I'm the only one who heard it.

Angelo bowed dramatically, "You look rather handsome yourself, ma lady." ,and I only laughed more. He always managed to make me smile. "My turn." Leo said gruffly as the tailor ushered him into the bathroom.

While he changed, I made small talk with Angelo. Selena butted in to remind Angelo he better be on time and he has to walk down the aisle with Sofia. My heart squeezed a little. I always shipped them together.

The door to the bathroom clicked and my head snapped in that direction. I awaited anxiously for my husband-to-be to emerge from its quarters. He then appeared. Of course he looked perfect. He always does. And it enraged me so. The suit was a deep black. He had on a lavender tie, and seeing him wear a lighter color almost looked bizarre.

"How do I look?" He spoke, sending daggers in Angelo's direction. Selena and Angelo both eyed me closely, waiting for a loving fiancés response. "Like the most beautiful man in the world." I said quietly. I wasn't lying. Doesn't mean I liked to say it out loud. Selena swooned again and Angelo smiled at his best friend in a way to say "good job, bro".

Leo smiled at me and for once, it didn't look the least bit hostile. We both sure did know how to put on a show. He fixed his cuffs and flexed his fingers and for a split second I remembered them being inside me. Curse my virgin brain.

Selena stared up at me "Is it good for you, Princess?" I nodded and smiled at her, "It's perfect." She sighed in relief and I laughed. Even though she puts on a wonderful personality, planning a royal wedding cannot be easily done.

After the committee settled down and Selena left, I found myself very bored and without much to do. I wondered around the empty halls for awhile. Enjoying the silence after the chaos of the day. That was until my cell phone buzzed in my jeans pocket. I answered without even looking at the caller ID. "Hello?"

"Athena." My heart stopped beating, "Father?" His deep voice chuckled lowly through the phone and the sound was like nails on a chalkboard. "Hello my darling daughter. How's life over there in Gaiden?" I tried to calm the nerves building in my chest, "It's fine father. Why do you call me at such an hour?" My formal voice hurt to hear after not having to use it for so long. "There's an... issue with our plan." The gears in my head started spinning viciously. What could be going wrong?

"What's that?" I asked, careful to hide the worry in my voice. "As you know," he spoke too slow, "Facia has been struggling with money for a while now." I nodded through the phone, urging him to continue. "A new type of the Vesmosa plague has erupted through the kingdom and our people are dying left and right."

My breathing slowed so quick you could hear a pin drop. My people were dying. Even more than they were before Because my father and mother were horrible rulers and used all the money for their own riches. And now they were suffering. "Okay," I said confidently, "what do you want me to do?" I was desperate. Anything to save them.

My father sighed heavily, "I need you to move the wedding closer. Try to do it without causing any suspicion. But you need to marry Leo soon and kill him. Gaiden has more than enough funds and medicine to save our kingdom." My mind went still. This would be difficult, no doubt about that. But I had to do it. My people were depending on me and it was my job to save them. "I'll do it." I said, then hung up without another word.

I ran down the hall towards the tech quarters. I needed to find Aries. I had a plan, I just needed her help to execute it. "Aries?" I opened her door and walked into her room. "I need your help, I'll explain everything. Just grab your tablet and follow me." She stared up at me from her chair, clutching her tablet in her hands tightly. I turned to leave, expecting her to follow. When she didn't, I turned around slowly.

"Aries?" I walked up to her cautiously and kneeled down to meet her at eye level. "What's wrong?" Her eyes brimmed with tears and her mouth was screwed shut. She shook her head and the tears came falling. "Aries. You have to tell me. What happened?" Her hands shook as she held up her tablet. I grabbed it immediately and stared at the screen. Holy shit. She found who it was who had texted Bowen. She found the killer. In that moment my entire world fell apart. I thought the biggest betrayal I would ever face was my fathers. But this, this takes the cake.