18th century…. "It's been three weeks already since we came back from Giho. Everything was fine. Why does Kai want you to go back now when you were planning to go 2 days later? Do you think someone informs him about us?" Atlas looked at Catherine who was sitting beside him. He could read the anxious expression written on Catherine's face. Catherine was slightly worried. Kai sent a letter to her and wrote that he wants her to come back today. He already knew Atlas was with her. He allowed her to come outside with Atlas. Then why suddenly! He never interfered in her personal life nor decisions. Catherine glanced at Atlas. "He already knows that you're with me from the beginning." She pursed her lips. Atlas wasn't shocked but he was bothered by that third whirl between him and Catherine. "How?" He asked simply. "Do you remember that I said I cooked for him?" As Atlas nodded, Catherine continued. "I cooked for him to see you. I cooked for him to convince him to help me. And he told me
18th century When Catherine looked at Kai, she got irritated. "Kai. What do you think of me? Do you call this love? No, it's not love. You just want me. You can't lose me to Atlas. Why?" She shouted. Her whole body was trembling badly, she had no strength in her body. Atlas's heart skipped a beat seeing her so weak. "Catherine. You need to calm down. We can talk later." Catherine shook her head, "No we need to talk..n.." She fell on Atlas's arm. Atlas felt his heart stopped seeing her falling in his arms lifelessly. She fainted. His body jerked. He put his hand on her cheek. "Catherine-e. What's wrong?" When she didn't reply, Atlas felt the whole world stop spinning. Kai quickly walked to the door to call bodyguards worriedly. Before he could call the bodyguards to take her to her room, Atlas carried her on his arms and looked at Kai, "Call the doctor. Quickly." As Kai nodded, Atlas walked to Catherine's room. He put her on the bed gently and held her hands tightly. His body was
18th century….[This chapter contains mature content]"Can I come in?"Atlas and Catherine both looked at the door as Kai's deep voice filled the room. Atlas clenched his jaw seeing Kai. It's been another week since he heard the news. He didn't show up in front of them.Catherine nodded. Atlas's face didn't darkened this time. He is the king. Did he even need to ask? What's wrong with him? His face was pale, the voice was soft. He didn't act like this for a month. Did her pregnancy soften his heart?Kai stared at Catherine and balled his hands together. Something was there in his eyes. Was it pain? Atlas got annoyed by his gaze.Calm down Atlas. Catherine loves you. Only you."So, now you have the courage to face me." Catherine was the one who broke the awkward silence. She thought she needs to break the tension among them.Atlas narrowed his eyes and looked at Catherine. So she was waiting for him to show up in front of them. That's why she stopped Atlas to talk with him and told him
18th century..."Charles."Catherine's eyes got widened hearing that name. For a month Charles didn't come to her or call her. It's normal. But seeing Atlas and gave him the key. It's not normal."Did he come to you? Did he tell you something? Did he threatened you?" Catherine asked anxiously.Atlas shook his head and held her gaze firmly. "He didn't. I went to him."....Flashback...."What did you say?" Charles shouted in disbelief. His eyes were full of anger. The blood inside him was boiling."Yes, I'm that boy." Atlas said firmly. His voice was soft and calm.As Charles heard that, he clenched his fists. "And you are here standing in front of me. Are you kidding me? Or do you really want to die." His voice was loud and sharp. He couldn't believe it. How could he be so brave?"You want to kill me just because I'm standing in front of you?" Atlas's tone turned into a sarcastic tone. "What are you going to do if I tell you why I'm here?"Every time Atlas opened his mouth he got angr
18th century"Atlas. There." Catherine ran there happily as she pointed something. She approached the biggest old cheery tree, a gentle smile graced her lips. The pleasant wind was like the music of old memories to her, the memories of their past, their promises. ....Flasback..."Atlas, what are you doing?" Catherine asked Atlas as he took a broken piece of brick and started writing something on the tree.Atlas smiled as he touched the names that he wrote. "Atlas & Catherine. When we'll grow old, we'll come here together and reflects on our memories by seeing this. This one will prove our eternal love. As I wrote my name beside yours just like that I'll stay beside you always."Catherine giggled, "Pinky promise?" She extended her hand, offering him her pinky finger.Atlas nodded and locked his pinky finger with hers. "Pinky promise."....She touched the tree, tracing old drawings that she and Atlas did on that very tree long ago. "Atlas & Catherine." Though this place seemed so for
Present...Caroline's POV...Several hours had passed before they finally arrived at Prythian. The throngs of people were ubiquitous. The tidings had disseminated throughout the vicinity. The atmosphere was oppressively stifling, and I was beginning to fear that my faculties would soon abandon me. Beside me in the horse-drawn carriage sat Ryder. The corpse cart bore the weight of my mother as it trailed behind us.The reality of her absence was yet to fully sink in. The question of credibility arises. Our encounter was brief, yet significant. To be precise, I had only just laid eyes upon her. We had not yet had the pleasure of an introduction, nor exchanged words or embraced in a friendly manner. The years passed by without me shedding a single tear or voicing any complaints. The urge to scream and shout at her was overwhelming. My heart was brimming with emotions. I was compelled to remove them all. Yet again, she had betrayed me. Once more, she departed. Once more, she left me behind
Caroline's POVSeveral weeks elapsed. I was greeted with open arms by all, hailed as the Queen, a worthy successor to my mother. I was aware of my incapability to ascend to the throne. I was acutely aware of my own inadequacy, realizing that I lacked the fortitude to carry the burden of the regal emblem bestowed upon me.Yet, when Julie imparted to me the weight of my obligation to occupy the position and safeguard the realm, I found myself unable to retreat. In the Xanthan," she said, "I survived. Indeed, I did. However, it was Atlas who had rescued me from peril on countless occasions. Had he not been on my side from the outset, I would have surely met my demise.Upon entering the meeting room alongside Julie, I found myself suppressing a sigh. Merely a handful of weeks had passed, yet I had already frequented this place a hundred times over. All matters were subject to discussion within these walls, and I was obliged to lend an ear to every triviality. And so it was, without fail, t
Caroline's POV...“Here is your drink, Milady.” With a glass of wine in hand, Ryder approached me. Following a fruitful meeting, I acquiesced to partake in a libation with him, as he persistently opined that I had been toiling excessively and was in dire need of rejuvenation. Furthermore, he uttered that he possessed a matter of utmost importance to disclose to me.“Thanks.” I accepted the glass from him, bringing it to my lips and savoring a small sip of the rich, velvety wine. I strode gracefully across the expansive bay window. Perched upon the second storey of the palace, I couldn't help but feel as though I were soaring high above the earth. Such was the grandeur of the edifice, with its towering floors that seemed to stretch endlessly towards the heavens. Indeed, the sensation was akin to that of standing upon the fourth floor of a lesser building. The vista of the backyard appeared quite remarkable from this vantage point. "The arboretum behind us is something Mom truly treasure