Tangled By Fate

Chapter 87 - THE KING'S DECLARATION

"…So, please forgive this insolent man," Arthur asked for forgiveness.

Veronica stared at him for a couple of minutes before asking, "Do you mean it?"

Arthur quickly answered, "Yes, I do."

Veronica couldn't believe him. He broke her trust a couple of times already. She questioned him, "You will never say I'm a burden, will you?"

"I dare not," Arthur firmly replied.

She inquired, "You will never be mean to me again, will you?"

"I will never," Arthur swore.

"Fine, I forgive you. But next time you hurt me, I will leave you for good," Veronica threatened him.

Arthur finally smiled at her and responded in a gentle tone, "Yes, my princess."

Veronica finally smiled at him. It was already hard not to talk to him. How could she stay mad at him?

"You look pretty." Arthur's eyes were glued to her face.

The compliment made her blush. "Thank you. It's still uncomfortable. I wish I could cover my legs."

Arthur stated, "Those kinds of clothes were only made for the members of the royal families. Aristocrats can't buy it. It's an Imperial rule."

"If it was our kingdom, showing this much skin would be a crime," Veronica remarked. "I'm the one wearing the least revealing clothes and yet everyone is staring at me."

He leaned forward and whispered in her ear, "It's because you look like the most dazzling star in a milky way. That's why I always tell you not to show your hair. Well, even if you hide your hair, you can't hide your radiant beauty."

He noticed her ears turning red and he snickered. He assured her by saying, "Worry not, no one will bother you as long as you are by my side. Just stick close to me." Arthur's hand slipped from her bareback and embraced her curvy waist.

Veronica couldn't look him in the eye. Her eyelashes fluttered as she lowered her eyes. He was so close that she felt his breath on her face. She was also conscious of his familiar odor and touch. Her face began to grow hot. She couldn't help but tremble whenever his hand touched her bare skin. Her heartbeat increased with each passing second.

After the dance ended, Veronica told Arthur, "My legs hurt."

"The new pair of shoes are already hurting your legs? Let's ask a healer to fix it," Arthur held her close so that she could balance herself while walking.

Just then, they saw Remus walking in their direction. The latter, who also noticed Veronica's condition, came near them and asked, "Is something wrong, Miss Veronica?"

Arthur answered for her, "Her legs are hurting because of the new shoes. Can you heal her feet?"

"Yes, sure," Remus agreed readily.

Arthur then took Veronica to sit on the nearby couch and Remus used his healing power to treat her. Afterward, she moved her legs and they seemed perfectly fine. "Thank you," she thanked him for healing her.

"It's nothing. You look like a princess, Miss Veronica," as he spoke, Remus's face tinted with a red hue.

"Thank you," Veronica gently smiled at him. After being complimented twice, it didn't affect her much.

Her tender smile made him blush. He looked down and scratched his head. "At first, I thought you were some kind of royalty, ahahaha…" he laughed foolishly.

"I think your work here is done, Sir Remus. Thank you for your assistance," Arthur spoke from the side. His expression didn't look amused.

"Ah… yes…" Remus stole a glance at Veronica who was fixing her bracelet.

Before he could speak, Arthur asked her, "Don't you feel stuffy here?"

Veronica tilted her head. "Stuffy? I'm not sure…"

Arthur suggested before she could finish, "Why don't we go to the balcony? The view of the sky is great from there."

"Sure, let's go," Veronica stood up, ready to go to the balcony.

Remus opened his mouth but his words were stuck in his throat. He was going to say something but couldn't utter a single word.

Balcony and garden meeting between opposite genders meant they had some kind of deep relationship; such as – lovers or love affairs between adulterer married couples. Since Veronica and Arthur weren't married, it only suggested that they were lovers.

Remus felt remorse when he saw the couple going to the balcony. His heart was twisting in pain.

When they reached the balcony, Arthur said, "Wait here for me. I'll go grab something to drink. You must be thirsty."

Veronica realized that her throat was dry. "Yes, I am. I'll wait for you here."

After he left, she was looking at the sky. Just then, she heard some footsteps. She turned around and saw a familiar face. She smiled and said, "You are here. I have been looking for you."

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Meanwhile, when Arthur went to get some drinks, he got mixed up with other women. The ladies gathered around him. They wanted to dance with him for the next round. He cursed inwardly and politely refused them, one by one.

At that time, the guards announced the King's arrival. "Your Majesty, the King has arrived!"

King Edward V was wearing a long dress covering his entire body. The color of his dress was red. A golden robe was covering his body. His iron crown was shimmering with jewels.

Everyone bowed to greet him. But, his eyes were busy skimming through the crowd. He furrowed his eyebrows for some unknown reason. It seemed like he wasn't satisfied with something.

He sat on his throne and declared, "Today is a glorious day for Synetia. On this glorious day, I would like to announce a piece of joyous news to everyone. I've decided to take my fifteenth wife. The lucky bride is Veronica, the heroine of the desert who brought the healers back from the enemy, and the healer of Utahill. Veronica, come forth to accept my offer."

Arthur's blood turned cold upon hearing his declaration. For a split second, his eyes darted toward the balcony.

Veronica wasn't present at the ball, and so, she didn't hear anything.

He sighed in relief. He skillfully slipped out of the ballroom and headed toward the balcony. When he reached there, he was stunned.

Veronica's clothes, shoes, and every single piece of jewelry she wore tonight were lying on the cold balcony floor.

She was nowhere to be found.