Chapter 34: Where It Began (1)

Chapter 34

A silence had fallen over us yet again.

Sighing he spoke out, "The marquis seems to be trying to get the engagement and marriage denounced," he said as my eyes shot up his face in a hurry.

Denounced?

"So, in order to not have any complications, though the promise from his majesty was notarized, I'd like to be a little safe and wed you as soon as possible." He stated.

I felt baffled by all the information that dawned on me. "Is there a reason my father is trying so hard?" I questioned.

"That, Winter, is something you need to answer. From what I had gathered and what you had mentioned, it doesn't seem the Marquis would have any reason to do this," he glanced at me.

I couldn't fathom why this was happening. Was there something I was missing? Anita was the cause of my death and at that time the Marquis showed no interest and neither did the marquess. So, what was all of this for?

"I-I don't know," I said in defeat.

Zachary said nothing as he leaned back into his chair. It seemed he didn't know what to say or more what to believe. But who could blame him? A girl with no credible background had just swooped into his life and was already causing problems that she couldn't account for.

Sighing I closed my eyes for a moment before picking at my food.

'with his majesty the king sick, I wonder why all of this is arising, it was meant to be quiet-' I froze for a second.

His majesty the king was sick.

"Your highness-"

"Zach," he corrected me

Flustered I corrected myself in my way of addressing him, "Zach," I said slowly, "I thought his majesty was sick," I mentioned.

"He is," he confirmed.

"So how is the marquis taking action?" I questioned. I already knew the answer, but I didn't want to accept the fact that things had already begun to develop.

Looking at me questioningly, Zachary raised his perfectly arched eyebrow at me, "Through her highness the Empress,"

The Empress

"Your highness has Duke Anthony been frequenting the palace?" I questioned yet again and for a split moment, something flashed through Zachary's eyes as he froze at my question.

"I thought I had made it clear not to concern yourself with the Duke of Dominique,"

"Your highness please," I couldn't understand why he was persistent to remove Anthony from the equation.

"Winter," he spoke out.

"Please," I insisted.

For a moment we stared at each other, none of us willing to break eye contact. We sat there for a passing moment, and I could tell there was something Zachary was quite displeased with regarding this topic. Was it because of the succession?

A look of distaste fell on his face as he sighed giving in, "It's normal and a formality for both the Duke of Dominique and the Duke of Leviton to frequent the palace due to his majesty's condition."

I felt my heart drop at the answer. Had Anita already started acting on her plans? Is that why the marquis was now suddenly involved? My sudden proposal from Zachary must have sparked something for things to be taking place faster than intended.

Why did she need me in the equation so badly? Did I play some kind of role in her attaining something, if so, what was it? My hand unconsciously rose to my throat. I could feel the guillotine against it, as the feeling of pain rushed through me. Why was she so set on me? For a moment I contemplated telling Zachary what was on my mind but held out against it. It was crazy to even mention it in the first place, so how was I supposed to get him to believe me? As much as I hated to admit it, he was still a stranger to me, a man I simply turned to in a gush of panic. But now that I was here everything felt so complicated. I didn't even know if I could trust him. Way to go Winter.

"Winter," Zachary called out getting my attention. "Is everything okay?" he questioned

I couldn't help but simply smile. "Yes, everything is fine," I lied.

He stared at me for a moment longer, his grey eyes like an endless monochromatic abyss, almost as though holding me captive. Turning away he continued eating as only the clacking of our utensils against the ceramic plates echoed through the dining hall.

With this sudden change, trying to get Susan was going to prove to be a bit difficult now. Especially since the marquis is aware of our relationship. He may try to use her to get what he wants from me. Sighing I continued to eat as the night clocked away ever so slowly.

*

Anita sat in front of her dressing table as her handmaid brushed through her golden locks. She couldn't help but let a smile make its way on her face.

"You seem to be in a good mood, my lady," the handmaiden said trying to appease her master.

Letting out a giggle Anita spoke out, "Only good things have been happening," she stated.

Anita felt she was getting redemption for all the things Winter and her mother has put her through. From her crushed childhood to her position in society. When winter had first entered the estate, Anita couldn't help but feel threatened by her position. Though she knew she had her mother's love and favor, her father was another story. All throughout their childhood, Winter had grown to garner their father's attention leaving her behind. Furthermore, because of it her mother had fallen apart taking her childhood with it.

So, she did what she could do best. Used a Shadow to plant seeds of confusion in his mind, turning his attention to her and her alone. She never felt more accomplished in her life. However, the price to pay was something quite hefty.

She could almost hear the voice of the witch that helped her contract her current Shadow.

<'On winter's coldest day, the Unawakened shall awaken and restore light to its former brightness, however, for all of it to succeed, bring the Unawakened before its awakening. Rid of it and you shall succeed it is either its life or yours...'>

For a young child like Anita, the entire concept was quite heavy, and she couldn't fathom what she was told not what she was meant to do. That was until she had come across the Fortune Teller of Burgundy Street. An eerie woman in her old age who had changed things for the better.