19 19. Forgive me, your Highness

Her head was covered by a hood and her clothes looked battered, as if they had been through a lot. She constantly looked here and there, fiddling with her dress, not staying still for even a single moment.

Soon the sound of door opening and closing was heard, followed by that of footsteps, finally stopping all her movements.

As soon as she sensed the presence beside her, she immediately knelt down to the ground, kneeling exactly in front of Asterion.

"Your high.. highness, plea… please forgive me." She sounded scared as she held onto his legs with her shaky hands.

"Lady, get up and sit. Relax." Asterion said, a little stunned by the sudden act.

"No.. no your highness.. I.. I have.. commited a sin. Please for… forgive me." She said, her grip not loosening even through the shaky fingers.

"We can sit and talk. Get up now." Asterion said, feeling weird about the entire situation.

'Wasn't this lady supposed to tell me something about the crown princess? Why is she apologising then?' This thought crossed his mind.

The lady looked at Asterion, her hood falling back to her neck.

"Princess Vesta?" Asterion said, his voice low and confused.

After all, Vesta had appeared in front of him, shaking and scared to death. Who would believe that a level four fire cultivator would suffer this fate.

Plus with the history between them, it was hard to believe that she was here after two weeks of disappearing from the discussed marriage.

However the scars on her face, her battered clothes, her situation were speaking something else and Asterion was more than eager to listen to it all.

"Forgive me.. I-" and Vesta suddenly started sobbing, tears falling down her bruised cheeks.

"Get up and have a seat first." His tone was more authoritative this time and Vesta yielded.

She stood up from the ground before collapsing on the klismos.

"I was.. ab.. abducted, your highness." Vesta spoke up the first relevant sentence, only to shock Asterion.

"Who?" Asterion wasn't interested in mind games at the moment. So instead of consoling or asking how it all happened he went straight away to the point.

"She did.. did it. My sister." Vesta finally uttered.

"The crown Princess?" Asterion asked in a higher pitch, taking Vesta by surprise.

"Yes.. she was jealous of me. She envied that she was still unmarried when I was matched with the most powerful person." Vesta spoke, her voice returning to normal as she spoke more.

"But the Crown princess was powerless. She could not battle you. How did she do it then?" Asterion asked the simplest question.

He purposefully used the word 'was' instead of is, knowing Ether's presence needed to be kept hidden for now, at least from princess Vesta.

"She hired men to abduct me." She answered briefly.

"How could the crown princess hire men? From what I could deduct, not a lot of people liked her from your kingdom. Why would anyone be ready to do it for her? And more importantly, what did she pay in returns for hiring? She must be having no assets." Asterion reasoned out.

"Do you not believe me, your highness? Why would I lie to you? Why would I leave the marriage which I wanted the most? Why would I be in this condition?" Vesta questioned back, something changing in her eyes as well as tone.

"Vesta." Asterion said, the stern tone enough to remind Vesta of who she was talking with.

"Forgive me, your highness." She instantly lowered her voice.

'What is wrong with this situation? It is nowhere near the script I planned. Shouldn't his highness be worried about me? Forget about concern but he seems to be on that dead witch's side. I must stay calm and pull him to believe me.' Vesta thought for a moment before speaking again.

"Your highness, sister was powerless hence father used to dote on her to no extent. He would give her various assets to make her happy. And if I wouldn't have found this precious ring which was given by my father to my sister with that man, even I wouldn't have believed that she would cause my abduction, or more precisely, my murder." Vesta said, stressing on the final words while her voice was emotional.

A red ruby nestled between the golden arms of the ring was seen in her hand. The gold was carved with a dragon, and it was known to everyone that King Ignis's contractual spirit was a dragon.

Asterion took the ring, examining it himself before he turned towards Vesta.

"I heard about my sister's death. This must be karma, your highness." Vesta said, acting as if she was wronged.

"I will be keeping this ring. Anyways, his majesty King Ignis will be arriving in the country of Nero tomorrow. Do you have any place to stay?" Asterion asked, diverting his attention away from the ring.

"No, your highness." Vesta lowered her head, hoping she would receive sympathy from the crown prince.

This was her chance. If she could present herself in a positive light in front of the prince, she could easily get him to marry her again.

Unfortunately, she didn't have much time. As Asterion had said, her father was going to arrive tomorrow. And it would be difficult to convince him with the same story. Hence if she could convince the prince tonight itself, that would be the best outcome.

"I will ask my men to inform one of my cousins. You can stay at her place tonight." Asterion said and was about to turn, shattering all of Vesta's hope, when she stopped him.

"Your highness! I do not trust anyone except you, that is why I didn't even seeked his majesty King Adrian nor Lady Krystal. I am here because I feel you can provide me justice. I wanted to marry you, but because of my sister's cunning scheme, I almost died. 

Forgive me if I am crossing my lines, but can I stay here for tonight? I would feel secure having you to accompany me for tonight." Vesta suggested meekly.

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- Kizy