Visions Of The King (On Hold)

18. Imeeshi

The door opened and a dozen guards inclined their heads at king Fizayer, who marched inside and coldly stared at Master Clue. He made a beeline for him, completely ignoring me. Master Clue with his hands folded back simply stared back.

I gulped at the scene. When I escaped, I didn't plan ahead. With only a piece of paper in my hand and a small sack of coins, I ran away from that disgusting mansion as quickly as possible. That's how I landed here twenty minutes ago, surprised that Master was already inside waiting for me.

But before I could ask why he was here at night, his concern for my health distracted me. I was drenched. My hair, and my clothes were dripping, making a mess on the floor. While I shivered in the corner, he brought the towel and covered me with it. I nodded in gratitude.

Clutching the said towel now, I fisted my hands, dreading what Fizayer would do to the Master who had only helped me to this point. But I could feel the immense tension in the room and didn't want to come between the staring contest.

My shivers had subsided. But the adrenaline of escape was still buzzing in my system.

An escape which was a fail from the start. Yet it served the purpose. I got rid of that harem. The Gods above cleansed me from its residual dust by bathing me in the freshwater.

It might sound poetic but that's how I felt. That's how that house made me feel. And now, I was free from it.

And I wasn't planning on going with Fizayer either. I wasn't going back to his royal house. I was going back to my home. Back to my life, where I would not be thrown out at a moment's notice.

Where there would be no one to betray me. Where there wouldn't be any royal customs to follow. Where I wouldn't be given a title only to keep it hidden from the world.

Lightly sniffing back my tears, I coughed a little to pretend that I just caught a cold. Straightening my spine and resolve, I looked toward the two men who were now talking in hushed tones. I couldn't hear them.

After a while, Fizayer turned. My breath caught in my throat at how handsome he was. His gray eyes were full of questions. He stopped a foot away from me and lightly cupped my chin. I looked at him in accusation.

"Why?" He asked.

Really?

"You figured out where I was, but couldn't figure out this? Why would you? Kings demand and get answers. They don't care about your feelings. Kings... just move their one-day-old wife into a harem because apparently there is no distinction between a mistress and an aqeruh." I told him in a strained voice.

His brows rose and the realization entered his eyes at my last statement.

"My aqeruh, it was a paramour manor ten years ago. Now it stands empty and serves as a safe house for royals now and then. In no way, I would demean you like that," he softly clutched my arms and squeezed.

"I've never felt this humiliated ever before in my life, Fizayer. You didn't even bother to tell me what this house was used for. Imagine my surprise when Master Clue asked me what I was doing there." I asked heatedly.

He squeezed me again at the mention of Master Clue. And I tilted my head to look for the Master but he was nowhere in sight and neither were the guards. We were alone. I looked back at Fizayer who was now looking at me in alarm.

"I'm truly sorry, my aqeruh. I should've told you but its history completely evaded me then. I forgot," Fizayer apologized with his eyes and words.

"You said it is still used by royals. Are these royals men or women?" I asked instead.

He took a moment and answered with a sigh, "Men."

I pushed him away and walked away from him in disgust. He didn't understand.

"I'm going back home. To Sitaria," I told him softly.

"No," He moved forward but I stepped back.

"Don't order me around Fizayer. After this, you've no right to stop me from anything," I stated firmly.

He swallowed, "Give me another chance. I will not disappoint you. Forgive me this one time. I will be more mindful of your needs. Please."

It was a little empowering to see the king asking for my forgiveness but a little sad to see my that mate was unable to free himself from his title when he was with me.

I didn't mind his ordering but it needed to be done at the right time. And even though we shared a wonderful history between us, in this lifetime, however, we had to get to know each other first.

We couldn't rely on our history to solve the present matters between us. That is why it was important for me to go back to my home and start this over, slowly.

I took a deep breath and declared with finality in my tone, "I'm going back home. And when this urgent business gets taken care of, you can come and pick me up."

Fizayer begged me with his eyes the same way I begged him today morning. If this day was round, we sure had come a full circle. But I loved him. It pained me to see his sad eyes and his closed hands that wanted to hold me tight.

He nodded, "I will arrange for a driver with a handful of guards who will stay with you during your stay."

Yes, guards to keep an eye on me so that I didn't run away. And I wouldn't. Not anymore.

I nodded my assent.

"Wait for me. I'll come soon. And this time, I won't break doors. You'll open and invite me to your home and your heart willingly," he said softly.

After staring at him for a long moment, I turned and walked out of the treasury.

He didn't know that he was deep in my heart already.

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