Chapter 51 - Anya

I was relaxing my body in the lukewarm water while Lucy scrubbed my hair. At first I thought it was weird that she was in here with me taking care of things that I would normally do alone in my bathroom, but I have to admit it's not much different then being pampered at a spa.

It felt nice to take my mind off all my fears and worries even if it's only for a few moments. It was like I was washing away all the bad luck I was having today and starting fresh, which by the way I desperately need.

"So I heard you stayed the night in the young Masters chambers last night." Lucy said in her singing cheery voice.

Okay well I was enjoying my bath until Lucy asked the one question I didn't want her to ask. She is definitely team Teo and something tells me I got to be careful what I say about him to her.

I don't think she would tattle on me but I have a feeling if he asked her anything about me she would be honest with him, thinking she's helping him to get into my good graces

I sighed, she's young and full of hope that Teo will sweep me off my feet and we will be in love and happy forever. I wish I could say that prince charming does exist and that one day she will find her prince charming and she will live happily ever after but then I would be sugarcoating it.

She doesn't understand that love is not all cupcakes and rainbows. Love is pain mixed with every emotion in the book.

I have never fallen in love before but from the heartbreaks I seen my friends go through, well let's just say it looked extremely painful and I don't want to go through all that.

"Nothing happened." I said a little harsher then I meant to say but I just want to forget the way he touched me and the way he kissed me. He just wants me because he thinks I'm a challenge, he doesn't want me. . for me.

I could feel a sharp pain in my chest when I though those words to myself. I don't even know Teo that well so I don't know why he bothers me so much.

Lucy could sense that I didn't want to talk about it and I was happy that she dropped the subject.

"I picked out and outfit for you, it's laying on your bed. Your going to look so beautiful in it." Lucy said still trying to stay positive. "Thanks." Was the only thing I could come up with to say to her.

I sighed, I just want to see a familiar face for once and not some guy that my body keeps betraying my mind to.

After my long bath I went to my bed to see the dress Lucy picked out for me. I was completely dumbfounded when I laid my eyes on the dress.

"I am not wearing that." I said with disgust. It was a navy blue ballgown with a tight fitted waistband. It was beautiful but it looks extremely uncomfortable and heavy. "Oh come on you only have to wear it for a few hours. The young Master would like to have a meeting with you so we only have an hour to get you ready." Lucy said loosening the lace on the back of the dress so I can step into it.

"What does he want me for?" I said trying to hide the exsitment in my voice of seeing him again so soon.

Is he mad because I left him in the heat of the moment? I know I was disappointed when I pulled away from him but relieved at the same time. No stop thinking about him! What is wrong with me? I shouldn't be feeling this way about a man, especially an Emperor!

"I'm not sure why but I know it's probably something important, now step into the dress." Lucy said pulling me out of my thoughts holding the sides of the dress to help me into it.

I didn't want to fight with her so I did what she asked of me. The dress wasn't as heavy as I thought it would be. If anything it hugged by boobs perfectly and my curves looked amazing in it.

I smiled at my reflection until Lucy pulled the lace on the back of the dress. It felt like my ribs were being crushed and I couldn't breathe.

"To. . Tight. ." I managed to get those few words out. Lucy wasn't satisfied with loosening it up a little. I could still hardly breathe but at least I was breathing.

"It's supposed to be tighter but you still look stunning even with it a little loose." Lucy said nodding her head eyeing me up and down.

"What are you talking about not tight enough? My ribs are going to be sore later that's how tight this dress is but hey, at least I have a tiny waist right?" I said pouting but she just rolled her eyes at me.

"Come sit let's do your makeup and your hair." Lucy said patting the chair ignoring my words. I sighed sitting down in the chair. I let her do my hair and makeup in peace and by the time she was done I was just as gorgeous as yesterday.

"You really do have a talent at this." I said complimenting her work.

My hair was pulled up into a tight ponytail simple but beautiful. She gave me smokey eyes to match the dress and she left my lips naked because they were naturally pink and it all came together perfectly.

"Beautiful." Lucy said looking at me with her eyes twinkling. I was going to say thank you when both your heads turned to my bedroom door after hearing someone knocking.

"Come in." I shouted but Lucy gasped looking at me with shock.

"You can't allow anyone into your room without knowing who it is." Lucy said scolding me but while she was scolding me Teo walked in the room and Lucy's mouth clamped shut and her eyes widen.

Teo eyes were on me and he only briefly glanced at Lucy.

"Leave." He said in a deep demanding voice then his golden eyes were back on me sending shivers of pleasure down my spine. Lucy scrambled out of the room in a hurry, shutting the door behind her leaving me and Teo alone.

For a few moments we just stared at each other in an awkward silence.

He signed rubbing the back of his head. "Look I want to apologize for my behavior this morning. I made you feel uncomfortable and that's the last thing I want to do." He said seriously staring into my eyes.

He completely took me by surprise and I don't know if it's from his apology or from the way he actually sounds like he means it.

I don't know how to answer him because truth be told I was enjoying it but theirs no way that I'm going to admit that to him. I put my hands over my cheeks trying to hide the burning sensation I felt in my cheeks.

"I-is that the only reason why you want to see me?" I asked him trying to sound annoyed and my eyes kept wondering around trying to avoid his gorgeous face.

"That was one reason why but I came to inform you that the Emperor of Vino died last night and his eldest son is not happy. He believes your disrespectful words cause his Fathers death and he wants you to be punished." Teo said with his eyes darkening and I couldn't help but let out a gasp.

"N-no I-I. . No, I did not kill him! I may have said some mean words to him but I did not kill that man! He was fine and alive when I left that room last night." I said in disbelief and feeling my breathing pick up.

'No I did not kill him. I know I didn't but. . He was an old man. What if he had heart problems? What if I did cause his death?' I could feel tears starting to form at the corner of my eyes.

'I killed another human being. I'm a monster.' I sank to my knees and cried into my hands.

"Don't cry, Anya. Don't worry the punishment is not severe." Teo said softly taking a step towards me.

"That's not why I'm crying you stupid man! Punish me! I don't care, I deserve it! I'm a . . murderer." I was a blubbering mess and I was taking my anger and pain out on Teo.

I deserve to be punished, I'm a murderer and a monster. Teo kneeled down pulling my hands away from my face and I could see guilt written all over his face when he pulled me into his arms.

"I'm so sorry Anya. I'm sorry." He whispered over and over again in my ear cradling me in his strong arms.

I don't know why he was apologizing but I couldn't breathe and I could feel a sharp pain in my chest once again but this time the pain didn't go away. It just got more painful by the minute.

My hands flew to my chest trying to ease the pain as I tried to force air into my lungs. I couldn't control the blood curdling cries coming out of my mouth.

"Anya? Anya! Hey what's wrong?!" Teo yelled looking down at me with worry but my vision was blurring in and out.

"I. . can't. . .breathe." I managed to get out and started seeing black dots. I think I'm going to pass out. I tried to tell Teo what I felt but no words came out of my mouth and Teo's voice began to get farther and farther away from me and then everything went dark.