The Virtue

The Push and Pull

Day 1 (Continued)

Nova's POV

I lie on Medusa's lap as she gently hums and strokes my hair, I remember the song that she has been humming. My father used to hum the same song to me at night when I couldn't sleep because of loud thunder noises

"When did you learn that song?" I ask as I smile on her lap, she smells like home to me

"When I was a child" she replies

Medusa is the only soul I know here in the french castle, after Amelia. I enquired about Amelia but the only information I could get is that she has gone to visit her family in the town. Torvi is nowhere to be seen, I wonder where she is.

"It's been a difficult day for you but I want you to know something" Medusa says and taps on my shoulder for me to get up, I gently get up and place my open hair on the side. It's dark outside and I can hear the thunders roaring far away. Medusa and I sit on the side of the golden bed. After hours and hours of crying and venting my emotions out, there is peace and calmness in the room

"What is it?" I look at her and she takes in the deep breath

"You have no option but to marry Ivar" she says and places her left hand on my right arm to gently stroke it

"He killed my mother" I say as I look out of the window, I can see the flashes in the sky now

"I know my dear, I know. But listen to me carefully" she says and I look into her eyes

"As unfathomable as it may seem. Ivar has a heart and it beats for you" she says and I open my mouth to disagree but she puts her hand on my mouth gently and says , "Don't speak, just listen"

I nod

"There are many truths and lies that are embedded in these castle walls that you don't know" she says as she holds my warm hands, I want to ask her what lies but I remember she told me to just listen.

"Which you will find out sooner or later, that is upto your gods. But Nova, my dear you have to develop a strong mind and soul. You will soon be a Queen of many nations and your King will be Ivar. As much as you oppose him and his psychotic tendencies, a Queen shall stand by the side of her King" she pulls my chin up with her fingers as my eyes get wet again

"There are humongous responsibilities waiting for you and Ivar, you need to face them together. As a team. This continuous push and pull cannot make a relationship last longer than life" she says with her kind eyes

"Medusa? Do you know something that I don't know?" I ask her

She stands up and walk towards the window and say, "Yes"

I stand up too by her reply and keep my hand on her shoulder to turn her around to face me

"He is the one, that God's have chosen for you" she replies

Ivar? Ivar is the one whom god have chosen for me? It can't be. He is the most ruthless and unpragmatic man I have ever met in my life. He pushes and pulls me like the wind, we are absolutely opposite -

He is astute, I am naive

He is a killer, I am kind

He is Grey, I am Pink

"I know what you feel Nova. That the world is against you and you have are being forced in this union but think about my words. I will never guide you wrong. Think about Eric and Adrian too, Ivar will send them for exile instead of killing them mercilessly" Medusa says by holding my hands again