Atlas's Pov...Life had always a to slap us hard on the face when we try to find the least happiness for ourselves. It had been this way all the time. For me, for the people around me. No matter how far we go, no matter what height we reach, we can't just escape from the brutality of this Goddamned world.The rain was not harsh but it was biting — biting every corner of my heart it could reach. Caroline's life was so tough already. Why must she go through this again?Rushing towards the lake, I tried to scan each and every nook of the side. But I didn't see any boat or anything. Who the hell did this? What did he want? I was quite sure he was still here. And if this murder was committed here, it was obvious that someone from Xanthan had done this. But I was unable to feel it and indeed, it was weird.I looked around and that was when I excavated a trace. The man must've run so fast with the sword since the black liquid had its sprinkles to somewhere distant, probably in the more centr
Atlas's Pov... “H-How did this happen?” My focus was abruptly diverted from Caroline as a voice crescendoed from behind. The voice was immediately recognizable to me. Ryder was the one. He shall remain unforgettable, that much is certain. His speed was remarkable. His arrival was swift, taking little time to reach this place. However, my focus remained solely on Caroline, and I paid no mind to him or any other distractions. She had been inducing illness upon herself through excessive weeping. Ryder rushed to the lifeless form and dropped to his knees, tears streaming down his face in silence. "I was unable to protect you, Your Majesty," lamented the speaker. "Please forgive me," he pleaded with a heavy heart. The downpour had ceased, yet the heavens remained shrouded in a somber veil, as though the impending detonation had yet to transpire. A multitude of individuals had already congregated at this location. The collective astonishment was palpable among them. I was privy to thei
Atlas's Pov...After coming back to the castle, the first person I encountered was my mother. She was standing in front of the door with a proud smile on her face. I had never seen such a smile on her face before. I tilted my head to the lady around her fifties who was standing across my mother. My eyes slightly widened. “You are still alive?” With a low courtesy, she nodded. “I apologize if it disappointed you.” It was Ms. Monica. As far as I remembered, she was the court lady from the era of my father.In this Castle, we barely met and that was why every time an encounter occurs, it becomes too hard for me to recall her name. I couldn't actually even remember when we last met. Probably, it had been months. I didn't argue with her, knowing she had a sharp tongue. Rolling my gaze, I looked at my mother and confusion washed me all over again.She was still smiling and clearly had something to tell me. There was no way in hell that she will be proud of me because I did nothing great.
Author's Note: starting from this chapter the next 15 chapters will have the back story of their past-life which was about hundreds of years ago. It's going to clarify why they had been mated. You can jump to the present time (their current life) if you want. Thanks. 18th century... On October 19, 1701, Lilith Park and her unidentified husband had a baby girl. The baby girl wasn't informed about his father after emerging in this world. All she knew was the title which was "Brown" since her name was announced as Catherine Brown, and her mother's title was "Park" — the royal title. As the members of the noble Park Richard, her mother's family was related to the royal family of Winderfell. Although the little girl Catherine was an orphan by the age of 12, she was chosen to go on to become the first bride of the future King, Park Kai, the elder son of Park Charles. Park Kai actually served as a figurehead for his father and regent, the Charles. It was Charles who chose the orphan as th
18th century… When Catherine took her steps out of the palace, she inhaled a deep breath that filled her lungs. When the wind ran its icy fingers through her hair, she grinned through chapped lips. She was where she wanted to be. She felt alive after so many years, it was just her, the wind, and the heavy breaths. She got herself back as her Yeji called her from behind. “Your majesty. Everything is ready.” Catherine rolled her eyes around. Everything was ready. Horses were lined up in a row, on them the horsemen, the warrior and a new face, his eyes held downward. She started to take steps towards them, everyone bowed to her. They couldn't take their eyes down from her except the unknown one. As Catherine shifted her eyes uneasily, they averted their obvious gazes. Catherine's personal maids were following her from behind. She stole a glance at the horses, scanning her horse, "My personal secretary Yeji will go with us in the horse cart. Alex, my current warrior teacher will go wi
18th century… The horses were running very fast, creating beats on the empty streets. The heavy breeze was making Catherine's hair messy. Atlas rolled his eyes and stole a glance at her. But he quickly turned his face as his breath started becoming heavier, "You should be more careful. Why did you tie your hair like this? You should have just covered your hair with something." "I know. You'll not know this feeling. It's kinda fun." Catherine smiled. Atlas furrowed his forehead, "What?" They were talking loudly. Alex looked back at Atlas as he heard his loud voice. He is crazy, right? Catherine tilted her head in confusion. What's wrong with this man? Why is he this cold? "Maybe, I will catch a cold soon. Why are you being so cold to me? You are not even using honorifics. Why?" She asked. Atlas heaved a deep sigh. "I'm not using honorifics but I am not being disrespectful, right? I am always the same. I am not using honorifics because I am older than you. I know, I should honor t
18th century… "Atlas?" A skinny girl shouted as if she was very shocked. Catherine took a glance at the girl first who was standing not so far away from them. Then she looked at Atlas who was getting off from his horse. They left Yeongnam in the morning and arrived at their next destination "village Yeongdong." Atlas was announcing that to everyone. It was already crowded with villagers. Catherine asked Atlas when she saw that girl was glancing at him for a long time, "Atlas, do you know her?" Atlas looked at Catherine and then he started looking around searching, "Who?" Catherine pointed out that girl with her finger. Atlas's gaze followed her finger. As he saw the girl, he said with widened eyes, "Suzy." Alex looked at Suzy and ran to her, "Yea. Suzy." Suzy smiled, "Hi handsome." Atlas blinked his eyes and murmured, "Why is this girl here?" Catherine looked at Atlas with curiosity, "You know her!" As Suzy grinned, Atlas came to the girl. Catherine followed him. Seeing the futur
18th century… "Yah. What's wrong? Why are you sweating? You don't look good." Atlas opened his eyes when he heard a familiar voice. It was Catherine. He quickly got up and looked at Catherine who was standing beside his bed. Before he could react, Catherine again asked worriedly, "Are you okay?" He was sweating and struggling in sleep. Catherine was passing by his room. When she heard some noise, she came into his room and saw him sleeping. Atlas realized his past was just bothering him in his dream. He sighed and teased, "Why do you care? I thought you are too busy to care about anyone." Catherine's expression darkened, she smiled weakly, "Ah. That's right. I was just passing by. I heard some noise. So I came in. And your door was open." Atlas nodded and sighed, "Can I ask you a question?" Catherine nodded, "Ask." Atlas looked deep into her eyes and asked, "You really didn't miss me? You aren't happy to see me?" Catherine gulped, her eyes welled up as she looked deep into his eyes
Caroline's POV. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ."She is the one. My would-be wife Princess Tessa!"The moment I heard Henry saying it, I froze on my position. The floor beneath my feet felt cold and soft, not as much as even a firm carpet, but not right for oak planks. And it seemed to be disappeared along with the world around me."Hey, Atlas. Meet her. She is Tessa!" The only voice I could hear was most probably Henry's.Tessa! How was it possible? Was I seeing things? Was I hearing things? He, Henry is going to marry her!My mind was swirling, my breaths were shallow. My heart still was beating, but against a chest that felt hollow. My eyes still could see, yet the world that was so close around me seemed so far away.I was spellbound until Henry came in front of me and spoke with his clam voice. "Caroline, you know her. I don't think I need to introduce her to you.""Of course, she knows me," Tessa said as she smiled wickedly and took steps towards me. "She is my sister. Twin sis
Caroline's POV..."Atlas. Where are we going?" I asked Atlas, looking outside through the glass of the car. He was not driving to our home.He maintained a straight face and continued driving as if I was no one or just an invisible human. He is behaving like an arrogant pig now."Yah. Answer me." I glared at him and that made him chuckle silently. "You will know it soon anyway. Why are you shouting?" Whenever he drives, he looks extra hot and it makes me want to jump onto him. But no. Control, Caroline.Okay, I can control. But I can not stop staring at him. "What again? Am I looking too delicious?" He sneered."No. Not at all." I squinted. This guy has something on me. He always knows how to make me smile. I was crying like a baby there and he pulled me in his arms. Then every single pain flew away. He has his magic on me.After a long time, he stopped the car. Before I could look around to check the place, he tied a blindfold around my head. "Yah. What are you doing?" I asked as I s
Atlas's POV..."Atlas. Who told you I missed school? Eve?" Caroline asked, smiling at me. She was smiling all these while. Indeed she was so happy today. And I am glad that she was.But I do not think she will be able to smile like this after a while. And I am already feeling guilty about that. I took a deep breath to fill my lungs with air before I looked at her calmly. "Isn't it obvious?""It is." She replied, looking around, scanning the area.We were sitting on the bleachers in the basketball court of the school. There was no one around us, it was empty and somewhat dark."It is, right? She told me about something that she should not." I said and clutched my sweaty hands together as she held my gaze.She drew puzzles in her blank face. "What? What else did she say?" She tilted her head.I pursed my lips, forcing smile. "Well, let's not talk about her." I paused and stared deep into her eyes. "I told you... to be my good friend today. Not a good wife.""Yeah. And?" She asked, raisin
Caroline's POV...Slowly and reluctantly, I uncovered my face. I blinked, closed my eyes, and squinted again. Streaks of sunlight penetrated the window and blinded me."Ah!" A soft winch escaped my lips as I felt the resistance of moving my body. Last night, he was very gentle... but because we did it... again and again, my body was struggling with the soreness.It was already 3 when I glanced at the clock before we go to sleep. I stretched my neck and glanced at the pillow beside me. But where is he?Somehow I managed to sit up, dragged my feet off the bed, and rubbed my knuckles onto my eyes. "Little thief. Where are you?" I called out, stretching my arms above my head, yawning.No response!"Yah. Where are you?" I called out again, peeking at the bathroom. But the door was open so he wasn't there.I took my phone before I went downstairs and searched in every corner of the house. But he wasn't there.Could he be in the garden? I opened the door and rushed outside. As soon as I took
Caroline's POV...After about thirty minutes, we have finished cleaning ourselves and was now sitting in the dining room with my dad while waiting for the housekeeper to prepare the extra set of breakfast for Atlas.There was a happy smile spread across my dad's face as his eyes never stop looking at us.My eyes were held low, my face was still in crimson red. Looking at how dad smiled at us, I was very sure that aunt already told them everything she saw in my room just now.I think Atlas sensed my embarrassment and smiled slightly before he took my hand and gave me a gentle squeeze, telling me silently that he is here with me and nothing to worry about.Atlas let go of my hand when the housekeeper came out from the kitchen, walking towards us. He took the glass of orange juice in front of him and took a small sip, trying to hide his embarrassed expressionAunt placed the plate in front of him and smirked.She leaned closer to me to whispered softly into my ear. "I didn't know... our
Atlas...The morning began to seep through the window allowing the sun to warm Belle's heavenly face. It brought a soft smile on my face by just watching hersleeping in my arms. Waking up beside her again has been the best morning for me since she ran away from home for almost two weeks. Finally, she was back into my embrace again.Bringing my hand towards her face, I gently tracedmy fingers along her jawline with the touch of a feather, feeling her warmth and softness against my skin.There were faint dark circles under her eyes from lack of sleep. Because of all the misunderstandings we had, she must have been very unhappy and didn't sleep well at night too. And last night, I've totally drained her.Thinking about last night brought another wide smile to my face as I leaned closer to kiss the tip of her nose. She smelled like heaven and the addictive scent of her is making my mouth watery and my body reacting uncontrollably again. I buried my face into the curve of my neck, my lip
Atlas's POV...It was actually not my plan, but seeing her slightly red eyes, anyone could easily say that she was... in the mood. Yeah... that mood.So, I thought why not make her suffer for a while?"So... it has happened already. But we don't know anything. Great." Rohan narrowed his gaze at me, talking about Caroline and me.I took some popcorns from the bowl and put them inside my mouth. "It doesn't matter. I'm telling you now.""Paris is the city of love. It's true. By the way, How many times?" Rohan asked as he nudged his elbow against my arm.I show him my five fingers while munching on the popcorns. "Five."Rohan sneered again, his eyes slowly widened. "I can't believe it. My friend is not a virgin anymore."I tilted my head. "Same goes for you. Now stop talking nonsense. And Let's watch a movie together. Where are the ladies?" I pursed my lips and turned my head to Caroline and Sunbin who was in the kitchen,Something was wrong. Sunbin was smirking while my little bonfire was
Atlas's POV...Who was she? The voice was familiar. She must be someone I know, or she knows ne very well. And there is something important I should know? What's that?When my curiosity started overflowing, Caroline's voice shook me up."Anything wrong, Atlas?" She asked, seeing me tensed.I turned around to look at her in the kitchen as I nodded my head firmly. "Someone called me and told me to meet her. She said there is something important I should know!" I shouldn't hide anything from her, it was a promise.Beep BeepMy phone beeped. I glanced at the phone screen before shifting my gaze at her again. "She has sent me the address..""Who?" Caroline's face went puzzled just like mine.I shrugged. "I don't know. But... what do you say? Should I go?"She pursed her lips, thinking deeply. After a while, she took a long breath and nodded. "I think it's work-related. It can be really important. I think you should."It can be important but it can't be work-related. Because if it was work-r
[THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS MATURE CONTENT. Please avoid this chapter, if you are not comfortable reading 18+ content]Atlas's POV...I slowly opened my eyes from my beauty, waking up by the soft tinkling that was coming from somewhere near. I blinked my eyes several times until my blurred vision restored. The sound was coming from the balcony, so I turned to the balcony. There was a wind chime dancing against the soft wind. It was still dark outside and the street lights were seeping into the room through the side window.Did I wake up by any nightmare? But I don't remember. And my heartbeats is steady, I'm not sweating, I'm not trembling. My temperature is normal. No... wait. It's not normal. I feel warm.I gasped when someone tightened an arm around my waist. Wait... the warmth. It's Caroline.My half-conscious mind started to regain its senses and my lips instantly curled up with a soft smile when I felt her soft flesh pressed against my body.With my very gentle move, I manoeuvred my b