Chapter 12

I held my teacup between my fingers, watching Luke carefully. He was still staring at me as like he couldn't decide whether to believe what I had just told him.

Visions.

It was a convenient explanation, not the truth, of course, but close enough to one that I could make him understand what I wanted him to know without exposing myself.

I set my cup down.

"I have seen how this story ends, Luke"

Luke's expression changed.

"How you treat me. How you hold that..." I paused, my eyes resting on him. "...girl higher than me. How you ruin everything your ancestors built with their sweat."

My voice was calm, but there was no way of hiding the disgust behind my words, I spent enough time thinking about the story to know how ridiculous the entire situation was.

Everything that had been built before Luke's generation would eventually be placed at risk because he couldn't control himself.

And for what?

A girl who would become the center of his entire world while everyone else paid the price.

I looked directly into his eyes.

"I don't like you."

There was no reason to soften it.

"In fact, I absolutely hate you."

Luke's face tightened.

"You are an ungrateful, selfish bastard, and you deserve what is coming for you."

I watched him closely.

"But my aim is to make sure you only drag yourself down."

I wasn't going to save Luke, I wasn't going to follow him around and fix every stupid decision he made. That wasn't my responsibility.

If he wanted to ruin his own life, that was his choice, but I would not allow him to drag everyone else down with him.

Especially not Ezra.

That was where I drew the line. Something about my expression must have finally reached him because Luke went quiet.

I could see it in his eyes.

He understood.

Maybe not everything, but enough, he finally understood why I had been so cold since the moment he arrived, why I had looked at him with such obvious dislike. Why I rejected his proposal without hesitation.

He probably assumed that I simply didn't like him. Now he knew it was much deeper than that.

"I don't understand..." he stammered.

I cut him off before he could say anything else., I don't need to entertain his understanding.

"All you need to understand is that with your eyes closed and focused only on Evelyn, you and all your partners will die."

His face went pale.

I let the words settle, the warning was enough.

"So I'll give you a small piece of advice."

I picked up my cup again.

"Open your eyes Luke, so you can see whatever is coming for you."

Luke remained completely still.

I took another sip of my tea.

I knew he wanted to ask questions, I could see them forming in his expression. He wanted to know what I saw.

He wanted to know how much I knew or whether I was telling the truth about my visions.

Perhaps he wanted to test me and maybe find a contradiction in my words but too bad I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction.

He would have to figure it out all by himself. I had already said more than enough.

Besides, I didn't have the time or patience to explain everything to him.My priorities were elsewhere.

Ezra.

Everything I did from this point forward needed to bring me closer to protecting him.

I already changed the marriage and rejected Luke. Now the rest would have to unfold naturally.

If Luke chose to listen to my warning, then perhaps he could avoid destroying himself.

If he didn't...

That was his choice.

I wasn't going to spend my new life chasing after him. I continued drinking my tea, refusing to give him anything else.

The silence stretched between us.

Eventually, Luke seemed to realize that I had nothing more to say, he pushed himself to his feet.

For a moment, he simply looked at me.

I returned his gaze with complete indifference.

Then he turned and walked away, I watched him leave the garden and the moment he disappeared from sight, I finally relaxed.

Good.

I was getting tired of seeing his face. I picked up my teacup again and looked out at the garden. I felt so free right now, maybe because I was able to get my hatred off my chest. I felt lighter

The afternoon was still beautiful. The sun continued to shine gently over the flowers, and the breeze moved through the trees.

It was peaceful.

Exactly what I had wanted before Luke interrupted me, I took another sip.

At least that conversation was over.

Soon after, the people from Firildia finally left, Unfortunately for me, I still had to be there to wave them goodbye.

My father was busy, so as the princess, I had to fulfill the responsibility of seeing them off.

I stood there with the appropriate smile as they prepared to depart, Luke was among them and he kept stealing glances at me. I didn't bother trying to speak to him again.

I had already said everything that needed to be said.

When they finally began their journey back to Firildia, I lifted my hand and waved.

I hoped they had a safe trip.

Not because I suddenly cared about them but I simply hoped they arrived safely enough to deliver the message.

The message that mattered.

They needed to inform Ezra that he was supposed to marry this princess.......Me. It feat so surreal

The thought of him made me smile.

Ezra.

My Ezra.

Soon, I would finally meet him and this time, I wouldn't have to watch him die from the pages of a book, I'll protect him with everything I have and I'll make sure all the people against him would suffer worse that he did.

The carriage disappeared and I lowered my hand slowly.

A small smile remained on my lips, I couldn't wait.