Forgetting someone is a choice,
Remembering them an inescapable compulsion.
....................................................
"Welcome your majesty! Sir is waiting for you!"
A chauffeur said showing us the way.
Your majesty nodded while I was still lost in the beauty of this majestic palace know as the palace of Avanguard.
Following them, I looked around in nervousness.
To my surprise, I remember not much from when I last came here.
The ceilings were touching the sky and red carpet was laid everywhere.
Everything screamed wealth and its owner stood right in front of us.
"Welcome, Daniel!! You have grown to be a handsome boy!"
My body froze listening to his voice.
The warmness in his green eyes was still there, but it was directed towards your majesty.
His beard has grown and few white strands were visible.
But still, he looked handsome and elegant.
I lowered my eyes, staring at my feet.
Afraid of him recognising our resemblance.
"It's been long Sir Harold, finally we meet"
Your majesty said showing him his hand for a handshake, but Sir Harold pulled him for a hug.
Zeena merely nodded and he nodded in response.
Well for me, I was ignored as usual.
Zeena decides to rest and someone showed her the way.
While I followed your majesty and king Harold.
They entered a big hallway, with guards stationed at the entrance.
When I was going to enter, they blocked my way.
"It's personal Sir, you can't enter"
Why the hell can't I?
It's my duty!!
I wanted to call your majesty but I can't speak!!
What do I do!!
I was staring at his back in desperation, in hope that he realises that I was not following him.
But he looked too engrossed in the discussion with king Harold.
Pushing passed them I entered and they shouted at me to stop.
Getting the attention of your majesty.
He looked at me in irritation and confusion.
Not happy with the intrusion.
"Is this young man with you Daniel?"
Sir Harold asked making us have eye contact.
His stare remained a little longer than necessary and I gulped.
My hands sweating and mind-numbing.
Daniel simply stepped my way, angry at something I couldn't understand.
Pulling me to a side he passed king Harold an apologetic look and in contrast turning to look at me in pure anger.
"Just stay outside. Don't create a scene everywhere you go."
Why is he like this?
It is not like I am dying to follow him everywhere like a lost puppy.
It is my duty and I take my work damn seriously.
"No"
I spoke with my chin held high, staring back at him.
He narrowed his eyes on me.
My defiance not settling well with him.
"What did you say?"
His hand holding onto my forearm, trying to push me out of the threshold.
"It's my duty"
I spoke trying to make my voice heavy and accent natural.
"Don't fuc*** test my limits Lin! I decide your duty and you are staying out of that door. Do you get it?"
Why was he so adamant?
What are they going to discuss?
The door was slammed shut on my face before I could protest further.
I sighed and the guards looked at me in disgust and animosity.
Pulling up my hands in surrender I turned around to leave when something slammed into me.
I cursed in my mind and looked down to see a pair of green eyes staring at me.
My heart started beating faster seeing the resemblance.
She resembled Charlie in all ways I can imagine.
And I instantly knew who she was.
"Can't you see where you are going? You dumbass?"
I was spellbound.
She looked like the most beautiful girl I have ever seen.
With green eyes, blonde hair and that perfect figure.
She was mesmerising.
Standing up on her feet, she dusted the imaginary dust.
Her green eyes met mine for a mere second.
"Sorry"
I managed to apologise, which she ignored.
Standing in front of the door, she folded her arms.
The guards bowed down to her and she held her chin high.
"We are sorry princess! The king is busy right now"
"So?"
She asked folding her arms.
I pressed my back on the wall and relaxed.
Enjoying the debate as it has shifted from me.
"Do you want me to report this to dad? I am sure he will fire you for stopping his princess"
I examined her closely.
She looked 1
Her tone was rude and arrogant.
Too proud of her title as the princess of Avanguard.
Thank god I was not bought up here.
Who knows, I may have turned out like her.
The guards looked at each other scared of her threat.
Opening the door, they stepped back.
Boosting her already inflated ego.
She was gone, swaying her hips in that short Jean skirt.
Her blonde hair was flipped back and I just realized.
She was named Angela but I couldn't find anything Angelic in her.
..................................................
"You have to understand your majesty! This alliance is very important.
You have to agr-"
"Daddy! Your guards are so irritating! They won't let me enter!"
King Harold looked up at his daughter, who immediately engulfed him in a hug.
"My princess! I was waiting for your arrival!"
Daniel looked at the father and daughter.
His eyes staring at the beauty.
She was extraordinarily beautiful and being a man, he couldn't help staring at her.
Realising how rude it was, he diverted his eyes.
"Your majesty! Meet my daughter princess Angela "
Angela stared at the handsome man sitting in front of her dad.
She felt embarrassed, barging in suddenly and intruding into their privacy.
"My apologies your majesty! I wasn't aware that you were discussing something important"
She forwarded her hand and Daniel shook it.
Giving her a small smile.
"Have a seat Angela! Nothing can be more important than my daughter. Now can it be?"
She smiled at her father, taking a seat.
"Angela, this is Daniel. The newly coronated king of Central province. It will be great if you guys talk and get to know each other"
Harold was being persistent and Daniel hated it when someone forced him to do things he didn't like to do.
"But-"
"Continue Daniel...I will meet you outside"
Daniel has a fiance, can't they see it!
Still, they want him to marry their daughter.
He sat in silence, seeing the girl that sat next to him.
She looked 4-5 years younger than him.
She was beautiful, no doubt in that but he was not looking for beauties.
"I have a fiance, Princess Angela. I am sure you know about it"
She nodded, this information not affecting her a bit.
"I am aware your majesty. But I think you know that this deal is much more beneficial, considering the considerations you will get"
He smiled
Not a dumb one.
I see
"You are right. But who told you I am interested in considerations?"
Her mouth opened and closed in surprise.
His smile widening.
Moving closer to her, he looked straight into her beautiful eyes.
"You are beautiful princess Angela. But I am not interested. Please excuse me"
He said moving back and trying to leave.
But she blocked his way, not happy with his rejection.
"Do you love her?"
She asked straight. Her voice laced with venom.
"No"
He said honestly, not bothering to lie.
"Then can't you give me a chance? Maybe we can-"
"Let me get this straight.
You asked your dad to call me here and offer me this proposition.
Knowing well that I was committed to someone else?"
She shrugged as if it was not wrong.
"Yes, I did. Because I like what I see and I always get what I want"
Daniel looked at this delusional girl.
He was not a toy her father can get her.
Was this girl crazy?
"I have come across many like you, Miss Angela.
Countless girls stalk me every day and dream to me with me.
But does this mean I go around fulfilling their wishes?"
She stood up, not happy with his rude tone.
"I know there are many seeing how you look and considering your position, but it's just that I consider myself to be of a better suitable match for someone like you"
He was proceeding to leave, not interested in this father, daughter doing matchmaking for him.
"Fine! Give me one week your majesty! One week to make you like me"
He turned around, hating her persistence.
"Don't. Just don't try miss Angela. I am here for business. Once it's done. I leave"
Turning his back on her, he slammed the door closed behind him in irritation.
His angry eyes meeting the calm ones of Lin.
On seeing him seething in anger , Lin straightened up and followed your majesty without a word.
...............................................
"50 acres of land, connected by road and just 10 minutes drive from town"
A person explained as your majesty assessed the land he was sent to buy in
Avanguard province.
Zeena stood next to Lin, asking him to hold the umbrella steadily.
Blocking the sun that had the potential to tan her porcelain skin.
Lin had sweat running down his forehead, hand tired of holding the umbrella for last 3 hours and mouth dry under the scorching sun.
"Dan I can't stand this anymore! I am leaving!!"
And that's when she pushed back Lin's umbrella and seated herself inside the royal car.
Your majesty nodded at her, giving her a go.
His eyes landing on Lin and he asked him to come to him.
Lin took tired steps towards your majesty.
He forgot his breakfast and now this scorching sun was testing his limits.
Your majesty was too engrossed in his work
Ignorant of how red Lin's face was turning with the heat, and how his footsteps swayed.
"Stand here and lift it higher
Lin! I can't see"
Lin just nodded, now holding the umbrella for Dan and shielding him from the sun.
His hands were numb and mind tired.
"So you mean, this place is free from encumbrances.
I hope I can trust your words"
"Yes, your majesty! I can get you the papers and you can see for yourself."
Lin's tired eyes fell on something in the corner.
The unusual moment in this peaceful location, raising doubt in his mind.
Looking closer he found few men with veiled faces, something shined in the sun and on realising what it was, he got back in form.
Without wasting a second, he pulled out the pistol from his back pocket.
Firing at the place where they stood, he brought it to everyone's attention.
His body standing on front of Daniel, trying the block anything that came his way.
Few seconds passed and nothing was heard, everyone looked at Lin in confusion.
Lin's eyes were focused on just one place, but to his surprise, the place was empty now.
Like they just vanished.
But how was that possible?
Dan ordered his other Avanguard guards to see if anyone was there.
But to his surprise, the guards just shrugged their shoulders and said there was nothing there.
It was impossible.
To run and escape in this vast area without anyone seeing them.
Dan looked at Lin
Irritated with his habit of intruding his business every time.
But Lin was too lost, trying to understand, how this was humanly possible.
His gaze still fixed at the place he just fired.
"Have you lost it? What makes you shoot like that!!"
Lin's silence aggravating Daniel's anger
"Are you unaware of the fact that you could have shooter at anyone! There could have been kids for god sake or any innocent man!!"
"I...saw..."
"You saw what? I can't see a fuck*** sh** over there...nor can my men!! Are you implying that they just disappeared?"
Lin was feeling everyone's eyes on him.
Daniel's insults making him feel embarrassed and humiliated.
He could feel his head-turning lighter. The stress and accusations taking a toll.
"Answer me !! "
His angry voice making Lin step back, Daniel's harsh tone making her delicate heart to drum in her chest.
Regret flooded your majesty's eyes on seeing how his anger terrorised her.
She moved back, the sun falling on his face as she did so.
The umbrella falling from her hands, making Daniel to look up at her.
And that's when he saw it.
Her face was all red with heat, her lips dry and cracked.
Sweat has made her clothes all wet and her hair was also sticking to her forehead.
She looked tired.
Her hands all red and trembling.
"I...sorry"
Were the words she managed to whisper.
Daniel tightening his fist.
Trying to show that her condition didn't affect him, but who was he kidding.
"Pick that damn umbrella and do your duty"
He turned his back on her, refusing to look into the hues of brown that will melt his cold exterior.
Moving away from her, he started walking towards the farm when suddenly the loud sound of chairs falling and something hitting the ground was heard.
The people around started whispering in worry and some even ran to reach behind him.
His heart stopped there for a second, his mind going blank.
The worst-case scenario entered his mind and he was for once in life, scared of something.
Daring to turn around, he could clearly see the centre of the commotion now.
His eyes falling on the body sprawled on the ground among the fallen chairs.
The umbrella laid on the floor next to her, and those eyes he refused to look at few seconds ago.
Closed in exhaustion and fatigue.
Regret filled his insides, covering the holes of anger and that was when he knew.
My anger has lost today,
It has lost to the love I have for you
He pulled aside the people, stopping them from touching her.
His hands cupping her burning cheeks on his cold fingers.
"Get me some water dammit!!"
He shouted, making people hurry around.
His hands moving to clear her forehead of the sticking wet hair strands.
Pouring some water into his hand, he sprinkled some drops on her.
But sadly her body didn't react to it.
He touched the bottle to her lips, but she didn't respond.
"Fu**"
He cursed, looking around for his car.
Pulling her up bridal style, he ordered one of his men to drive the car.
Pressing the button to draw up a divider between the driver and passengers.
He locked the car to finally look at her.
Pulling her to his lap, he placed her head on knees.
Moving her legs to his either side, he placed either of them on either of his shoulders.
Elevating them to make blood rush towards her heart.
"Breathe Eva? Just breathe dammit!'
He said removing her coat and loosening the clothes she wore.
His one hand placed on her neck and the other behind her head.
Eyes desperate for those brown ones to look at him.
And finally, they did open slightly to look back into those caring orbs of blue.
Placing the water bottle to her lips, he ordered her to drink.
But she was more concerned about the position she was in.
Instead of drinking, she tried pulling her legs down from his shoulder.
But he stopped her by tightly holding her thigh and ordering her instead.
"Just drink it! Stop being stubborn for once!"
And she did drink, knowing he was right.
The liquid did wonders but still, she didn't have much strength in her.
Hunger and thirst coupled with sun's heat have been a torture.
Her head was going to fall back when he again placed his hand behind her back, supporting her.
"You have not eaten anything since morning. Have you?"
He asked realising it was not just because of standing in sun for so long.
"I asked you something! Have you eaten?"
He asked again trying to get back her attention when she was again going to drift into darkness.
"N...o.."
She managed to reply, laying slump in his lap.
Her body too tired to move a muscle.
And that was when he pulled her up, making her sit up in his lap with legs on either side of his waist.
Her eyes widening at the intimate position they shared.
She could see his eyes clearly now, shining at her and making her feel something she hadn't felt in a while now.
Her senses returning.
"Did you do it intentionally?"
She looked at him with confusion.
Not understanding what he meant by that
"Wh..at?"
Instead of replying, the hand placed behind her neck pulled her closer.
Making her breathing to hitch.
"Don't act dumb. If you think by making me pity you, you can get me again. You are damn wrong"
Her breath stopped in her throat and her body started turning cold.
"Sorry?.what..?"
She managed to ask, her eyes hiding from his preying ones.
Scared to hear his reply.
He didn't like that, lifting her chin he stared at her fake beard.
Her eyes studying his scrutinising gaze.
He didn't stop, to her surprise, his hand moved lower.
They reached her waist .
"You..are gett-"
She couldn't complete her sentence.
He without a warning pulled her shirt out of the jeans and touched her naked waist.
His touch sending sparks of electricity to her core.
Igniting the spark that has died down in years.
His hands moving higher, making her arch her back and remember his touch.
"Do I need to show you what I mean..stalker?"
And that was when reality settled in and her body froze.
She stared at him in shock with mouth opening and closing.
"I....I...."
Her attempt to come up with another lie not settling well with him and he slammed his lips on her, punishing and silencing her.
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