Tangled By Fate

Chapter 85 - THE BALL TO CELEBRATE VICTORY

Upon hearing her wish, King Edward V said, "So, you are the one who brought the healers from the Riverhill camp and helped the soldiers to win. I've heard about your hard work. You have done a wonderful job out there. Since you led us to victory, I shall grant your wish."

At first, Veronica was astonished as if she couldn't believe what just happened. The next moment, her face beamed like a five hundred watt bulb and she bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

King Edward V said, "I also think you are right about that. Money cannot rest a soul. No one ever mentioned it before so we didn't give it a thought. Prime Minister?" he called for the Prime Minister of the kingdom, his right hand man.

The Prime Minister was with him. He was around twenty five years old. He was rather young considering having a high profession. He had a pale face and a slim body. He didn't train his muscles but the brain, that's for sure. He had long dirty blonde hair and they were tied as a braid. He wore round glasses to cover his sharp eyes.

He was wearing traditional clothes. He stepped forward as he was called. "Your Majesty," he replied respectfully.

King Edward V instructed him, "Tell the priest to arrange a prayer ceremony for the war heroes. Let their families know too. The prayer will be held tonight in front of the Imperial Palace. Everyone needs to attend the prayer. Let the announcer spread the news all over the city."

"As you wish, Your Majesty," the Prime Minister bowed and left. He sighed inwardly. Just another workload was added to his to-do list.

King Edward V turned to Veronica and asked her, "Now, you have no problem with the meal, right?"

"Yes! I'll eat my fill." Veronica couldn't control her happiness.

King Edward V laughed aloud and said, "Hahaha! Have your fill. We are anticipating seeing you at the ball tomorrow."

"Yes, I will definitely attend," Veronica agreed.

King Edward V waved his hand to others. "Enjoy your meal everyone. We will meet in the evening."

"Yes, Your Majesty," everyone responded in unison.

After he left, Major General Orion glanced at Veronica. "It's great, isn't it? Your wish just came true."

"You said it!" Veronica excitedly sliced the steak. "Your king is very generous. Are all kings as kind as him?"

"A…hahaha…" Major General Orion cringed and laughed. He couldn't answer her question. He cleared his throat and said, "Miss Veronica, do you know that you need a partner to attend the ball?"

Veronica gazed at him. "Oh, I did not. Is this a rule?"

"Yes, there is a rule like this. If you don't mind, would you like to be my partner?" Major General Orion proposed.

"Um," Veronica hesitated and thought about Arthur for a split second. Her eyes landed on him and saw him chatting with a beautiful healer. She frowned and turned to Major General Orion. She answered, "Sure! I would be happy to be your partner."

Major General Orion's face brightened up. "Thank you so much, Miss Veronica. I'll prepare a dress for you. I'm sure you won't be comfortable wearing the clothes you are wearing right now."

Veronica put down the fork and asked, "Then, what about my friends? Won't they need clothes?"

"They will surely buy some clothes. They have enough money or maybe their partners will buy for them," Major General Orion responded. He assured her by saying, "You don't have to worry about them. You are the one who doesn't have money with you, right?"

When he mentioned money, she remembered that she was penniless. "Ahh, yes, I didn't think money was needed in the desert. I had no idea that I would visit your kingdom."

Truthfully, she had no money to spend even if she knew. Although the Head Priest gave her money, she didn't want to spend his money. It just didn't feel right. She even decided to pay him back what she spent.

"Then, we will meet in front of the Imperial Palace in the evening," Major General Orion said.

"Okay," Veronica responded with a smile.

After the extravagant feast, Veronica was going back to her room. The bed she had in the guest room was soft and fluffy. She wished to sleep till evening.

At that time, someone blocked her from going further.

Veronica paused before turning to the right side but the person moved to the right side too.

Veronica frowned and crossed her arms. "What do you want?"

"Aren't you too chummy with the king and the Major General?" Arthur placed his left arm on the wall and questioned her.

"Whether I'm chummy or not, it has nothing to do with you. Wait, you are one to talk! I saw you talking to beautiful women and flirting around." Veronica pointed a finger at him.

Arthur smirked. "What? Are you jealous?"

Veronica raised her eyebrow. "As if!" She moved to the left side to leave, opposite of the side where he put his hand. But soon, her arm was grabbed by him.

"Ah!" she yelped as he pulled her closer. Then, she was pushed back and her back pressed against the wall. Her eyes were subconsciously shut. When she opened them, she was pinned on the wall as his hands pressed the wall both sides of her face.

Arthur spoke in a low tone, "Don't think the king is easy just because he granted you a wish. He is rather an ambitious and greedy man. You should be careful around him. Don't show your smile too often. I told you to be wary of men, did you forget that? Why do you keep showing your hair and smiling to others?"

His expression was grim and his voice was threatening. It chilled her body.

He kept saying, "If you continue to be stubborn like that and stay out of my sight, it will be hard for me to keep an eye on you." His eyes narrowed dangerously and continued, "I heard you gladly agreed to be Major General Orion's partner. He even offered you a dress. Don't even think of wearing that dress and don't become his partner. If you keep being a pest, it will only be a burden."

Veronica's eyes widened. In her heart, she suddenly felt pain. It was suffocating. Her emerald eyes wavered with emotions but she quickly shut her eyes to hide it from you.

"A pest? A burden?" she mumbled softly and then opened her eyes. She fiercely glared at him and questioned him, "Who told you to keep an eye on me. Did I ask you anything? You saw I was avoiding you and you keep coming to me? Why should I blindly follow you? Am I your servant?"

"…" Arthur was astounded by her sudden outburst. He realized something went wrong. He sighed and tried to speak, "Listen, Nica…"

However, Veronica wasn't in the mood to listen to anything. She berated him, "What do you want exactly? Do you want me to fall for you like other girls and make you feel better or accomplished? Is this why you are doing all these? I haven't asked for your protection or anything else. Other female healers survived even without your protection. Why can't I? Or do you think I'm so useless that I can't even defend myself?"

She took a deep breath and continued, "Look, no one asked you. If you think it's a bother, don't come in front of me. The one who is burdening with their presence is you!" After that, she forcefully shoved his hand and briskly walked away.

Arthur looked at her back disappearing behind the door. He thought about her expression and his golden orbs flickered. 'Damn it!' he cursed himself inwardly and punched the wall. 'I messed up. I shouldn't have said all that,' he pondered and reflected on his action.

In the meantime, Veronica shut the door and dived to the bed. The bed bounced. The softness of the bed almost made her body melt. However, her heart was suffering.

She hugged the soft pillow tightly and buried her face in the fluffy cushion. It felt like her heart was being twisted by something. It was painful. She opened her mouth and breathed in and out. It took a long time to subside the pain. When it was over, she opened her eyes and mumbled, "Arthur, you idiot!"

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In the evening, there was a huge ceremony in front of the Imperial Palace for the dead soldiers. Everyone in the town was present as a priest performed the ceremony. They brought flowers and filled the royal road with flowers. The families of the dead soldiers cried and thanked their king again and again for his magnanimous action.

It was heartwarming and heart wrenching at the same time. Nonetheless, Veronica felt better. She imagined the souls were finally able to rest in peace.

'Why people only rest in peace but cannot live in peace? It would be great if they could do that,' she wondered.

The next day, Veronica wore a green gown and held Major General Orion's hand as she walked inside the ballroom.