Gwenn Pov
“What is going on?” I asked the Nisse who led the way as we walked. I have not been able to fully understand the whole passage ways and all but I knew the dining hall where our meals are taken but right now, we were going the opposite direction.
The only thing that is preventing me from suspecting that she was trying to lead me into a trap or so was because she gave me a letter written by Arius who told me to trust her and follow her.
“I don’t know, the king just requested your presence.” She answered as she stopped outside a garden. I looked into it to see a light shining brightly within it.
“Am I supposed to go there?” I asked and when she nodded, I took in a deep breath and continued on my way, alone this time.
I followed the light and it wasn’t long before I got to a table set simply and filled with Northerners delicacies, the few I liked.
“You are here, perfect.” Arius said as he came close to me, i thought he wanted to kiss me and I froze but instead, he pecked my cheek.
“You don’t have to be scared of me Gwenn, I will not take any physical action unless you request for it.” He answered as he drew a simple chair back for me to sit.
I looked at him weirdly, wondering what sort of thing possessed Arius now, after all if a Gurumapa could exist, I am sure that things which can possess someone and make them act differently can also exist and one of them had taken a hold of my husband.
“Did I miss our anniversary or something?” I asked finally bit he shook his head,
“You didn’t, I just want us to be having dinner and breakfast together if it is not too much to ask of course.” Arius said as my eyes narrowed at him.
It was certain, something had kidnapped Arius and taken his place, possession will not make him change this much.
“What is going on?” I asked Arius.
“Nothing.” He replied with a shrug. “I just decided that it was time we really get to know each other and we cannot do that while you are exchanging words with my sisters.”
When I opened my mouth to talk, he added hurriedly. “Not that it is your fault but Faye was not the only person I warned to leave you alone today, I warned them too and told them that strict punishment will be in place if any of them tries to call my words bluff. And I didn’t know if they will spite you just to check what I will do today so I want you to be away from them.” He explained as I nodded.
Now his actions makes more sense. I could calm down about him trying to poison me or asking something huge from me, not like he would ask. The Arius I know would just take.
“So other than that, is there any other things which you would like me to know?” I asked and then realized the leeway which my words provided so I added quickly, stumbling over my words in my rush to include it. “Please nothing about how much you love me and the likes.” I said and he just shook his head.
“Don’t worry, I am not saying it again.” He said and when I looked at him in disbelief, he continued. “I will not say I love you rather, I would show it to you. I honestly want us to be friends.”
If this was the Arius I got the first time I came, I would be happy but instead I got the cold one who laughed at my warning and dismissed me like I was nothing, the only reason why a man would want to change is if he suddenly have competition or some… Of course.
“Go ahead.” I said, dropping my spoon which I had just picked up to start eating when I waited for him to start.
“With what?” Arius looked at me with confusion as he paused his eating.
“Tell me everything, I will not hold it against you that you are trying to do this because you must have heard that Sorens confessed his feelings for me. In fact, I suspect that the man must have told you about it himself. Sorens is weird that way.” I said.
Arius eyes turned to slits as he thundered. “Sorens said what?”
At his reaction, I knew that was not it, I couldn’t believe that I had just let my mouth run and ended up being the person to put Sorens in trouble because I know Arius and he certainly will never pretend like he didn’t hear what I just said. Still it wouldn’t hurt to try.
“Forget I said anything?” I said although my words came out as a question. His face darkened more.
“Not a chance. What do you mean by Soren confessed his feelings for you?” Arius countered but I kept my mouth shut, there was no way I was going to play to Arius tune and tell him only for him to get more reason to punish Sorens. I was not going to hurt Sorens for loving me or let anybody do that too.
“You actually think I would tell you more than that?” I snorted as Arius sighed.
“I know that you wouldn’t.” He replied. “You think that the only reason why I would want you close, why I would be doing all these is because I learnt that I had a competition?” Arius asked me.
The question was completely weird to be because of course, that was the only reason why he would want me close now. Since he didn’t hear about Sorens until I told him, maybe some other person must have made an offhanded comment about me and it made him upset so he is trying to ensure I will remain his. Men and thinking about everything in terms of possession.
“Isn’t that the reason why you are doing all these?” I returned.
Hurt flashed through Arius face as he out a breath.
“Your words hurts really deep.” He said to me. “I know that I have made a lot of mistakes and let things dragged on but I am here now and I will be present, I will not let another thing take my time because I want to dedicate most of the time to you. It has been a long time coming…”
“Exactly, why now…” I started to ask before I froze. “Is it because Orel is here?” I asked.
“Maybe.” He answered and when I raised an eyebrow at him, he continued. “I want what he has with his wife, I want a family. I want me and my wife, you to be happy.”
And there the flaw lies in his plan. I cannot be happy.
“Arius, you will have better luck at being happy with Faye.” I offered stiffly.
“I will change your mind and your feelings about it, you will see. Besides, I don’t want Faye. I want you.” Arius smiled as he continued to eat.
I had lost my appetite, what he didn’t know was that it wasn’t my mind he has to change., I almost want the same thing topo but I know better and since I am not ready to tell him my secrets yet, he still thinks he has a chance.
I was not the problem here. The problem was that I cannot be happy. It is not meant to be that way.