A single tear rolled down my cheek as I crawled closer to Cruzita still holding her hand. I hope she would squeeze it back and get up with that warm smile on her face but she just laid their on the snow, not moving, her hollow eyes staring into space.
"Cru..." I choked on a sob when I tried to call her name, "Please wake up! Please Cruzita, wake up!" I said the tears already pouring freely on my cheeks. I crawled over and pulled Cruzita on my laps. Cradling her cheeks which were cold. They weren't suppose to be cold! She's supposed to be alive, not dead.
"Cruzita come on, please wake up!" I urged but her eyes stared at me still not blinking, "Okay fine, I promise I won't go to the woods again, I won't stress you out anymore! I will try and make friends, I will stay out of trouble and help you around the house so please Cruzita...Please don't leave me!" I sobbed as I promised words to Cruzita but she wouldn't get up still.
I sniffed as I wiped away my tears from my cheeks. I then pulled Cruzita close to me. "You can't leave me Cruzita, you hear me? You can't, you are all I have left so please for all the gods in the land sake just wake up!" I yelled with a sob. But of course Cruzita didn't stir, she was dead!
I sobbed as I cradled her cold body close to mine. She was gone! She left me all alone! The only family I had left and she was gone.
"Get her away from the body and prepare for a burial." Ivan ordered his guards who bowed and moved towards me to carry out their order.
The guards moved towards me and pried Cruzita's body away from mine while I glared at Ivan from where I was kneeling on the snow. It was all his fault! Cruzita died because of him! Actually no, he killed her! I concluded as I stared at Ivan's hands which were still coated with blood, Cruzita's blood no doubt.
Two of the guards reached down to pull me up from my feet but I pushed against them and reached for one of the guards sword which was attached to his waist. I unsheathed the sword and pointed it at Ivan who arched a brow up at me.
"Arianne what are you doing?" Aurora hissed at me but I paid no heed to her and continued staring at Ivan.
"What are you doing? Stop her right now!" Kiran ordered the guards who were about to reach for me but Ivan stopped them by raising his hand.
"Leave her be!" He commanded in a loud voice and everyone bowed at that but I remained standing, feeling rage and hatred for the man in front of him.
Ivan walked towards me. "So, you think I killed her?" He asked cocking his head at me but I gave him no response.
"You want to kill me? Alright then." Ivan said then reached for his shirt and ripped it apart, exposing his chest. "The only way you can kill me is if that sword goes through my heart. I won't ever heal from that, I'll be dead. So you better make sure it does because this the the only chance Arianne." Ivan drawled with a hint of amusement in his eyes, he wasn't even sorry!
"Don't worry! I won't miss! I'll make sure I carve out your heart" I snarled at him. With a war cry, I launched myself at him, pointing the sword, aiming for his exposed chest but Ivan easily side stepped me and my sword landed on the ground instead.
I turned to look at Ivan who watched me calmly with his hands behind his back. I tried again and this time I swung around blindly. But the only thing I was hitting was the air. Ivan dodged every of my attack and he wasn't even using his werewolf strength. I knew that because every time he made sure he was within reach. I just couldn't get to him, the sword was too heavy and my wrist were starting to hurt.
"You sure you can continue? You look a little tired." Ivan asked looking at me as I panted, pointing the sword with unsteady hands. It was so heavy!
My red hair was matted to my face with sweat as I glared at Ivan. He needed to die! I would be doing the world a favour if he died! Monsters like him shouldn't be allowed to roam the earth. Monsters like him belonged to the underworld, not my Cruzita! She didn't deserve death but Ivan did.
With that thought I launched myself at Ivan again. "DIE!" I yelled as I ran.
Ivan didn't bother to block my attack. Instead, he grabbed the sword with his bare hands. I watched as the edge of the sword sliced through his palms, drawing blood. I let out a gasp and quickly released the sword, watching in horror as blood rushed from Ivan's hands. He grabbed the sword and threw it on the ground, the blood from it staining the white snow.
I collapsed on the ground in shock, then looked up at Ivan. The wound on his palms were already healing. Of course he would heal! I thought to myself in anger. He could heal himself if he wanted to but Cruzita...Oh God! My body racked with sob as reality seeped in. I would never see Cruzita again.
Two guards immediately reached for me to pull me up but Ivan stopped them. Through my hazy vision I saw someone stand in front of me. I looked up only to see Ivan looking at me with those piercing grey eyes of his.
"You promised." I told him, "You promised. You said you'd spare our lives, you..." I choked on a sob and looked down as I cried my heart out.
Ivan bent down till he was on eye level with me. He then cupped my cheeks and brought my face up to his so I was facing him. "I didn't kill Cruzita."
I shook my head at tried to turn away but he held my face firmly. "Look me in my eyes and tell me if I'm lying."
I did as Ivan asked and looked at his eyes. I searched for any sign of deception in his gaze but I couldn't find any. Ivan was telling the truth! I can't explain how I knew that but somehow, I just did. He wasn't lying to me.
"But Cruzita is...she's dead." I sniffed at him.
Ivan gave me a small smile at that. "I know." He said and I closed my eyes as more tears poured out.
"I'm sorry Arianne." Ivan told me and I think that was the most nicest thing he has ever said to me. "I made a promise to you and I intend to keep it. I promise we will find whoever killed Cruzita but right now, we need to give her a proper burial and I need you to be strong to do that, okay?"
"Okay." I sniffed nodding my head in agreement.
Ivan gave me a small smile before he moved towards me and carried me in his arms. I didn't fight this time. Instead, I wrapped my arms around his neck as I nestled against the warmth his chest provided.
~~~
Hey guys I'm back with another chapter! let's comment and like okay? And please vote for this story too
Ivan made sure Cruzita had a befitting burial. He had ordered the servants to take care of Cruzita's corpse. The servants had cleaned Cruzita's body. Then they dressed her in a white silk gown that covered the cut in her stomach. Her hair had been brushed and a crown of flowers was placed over her head. Light make up was also applied on her face and it was a little surprising to see her with it. She did look beautiful though and I wished she could see herself though.
The snow didn't fall heavily today. The sky was blue and clear, it was as if the heavens were preparing for the arrival of a new guest. When we were done saying a few words for the dead, Ivan handed me the torch so I could burn her casket. I walked towards it with Blue walking closely beside me, giving me his support. I torched the caskets and watched as the flames go up to the sky.
Just wait a little bit Cruzita! I thought to myself as I stared at the fire, just wait a little bit more and I promise i'll avenge you, I swear it! I promised still staring at the fire. When the fire was out Ivan sent servants to gather the ashes while we entered back to the castle. We went to the dining room where a spread was already laid. I sat still pushing the soup inside my bowl, unable to stomach anything. Blue was beside me already battling with a lamb rack.
Aurora placed a hand on top of mine. "You should eat something, I don't know her like that but I know she wouldn't want you to starve yourself.
I smiled at that because Aurora was right. "Thank you." I told her before I took a spoon of my soup. It was delicious and I began to feed myself more of it.
A plate of bread was pushed in front of me and I looked up to see Kiran who shrugged before he looked away from me. I smiled wryly but appreciated his gesture. I ate the bread and finished my soup. I couldn't eat anymore.
"You okay?" I heard Ivan ask and I let out a dry chuckle.
"Okay?" I asked the word feeling foreign as I said it, "I don't think I've ever been okay a day in my life, the only person who ever made sure I was okay is g...g...gone." I managed to finish a tear rolling down my cheek.
"She was a good woman." Kiran said nodding his head.
"Yeah and she was a brave one too." I said with a small smile, "She was the only one who wasn't scared of this." I reached up touching my red hair.
Aurora arched a brow at me in confusion. "Your hair? What's scary about your hair?"
"I was born like this right from childhood, a girl with red hair and mismatched eyes." I said looking up to stare at them, "My mother died giving birth to me and my dad didn't want me, so he hired Cruzita. She was the only family I ever know, she treated me like I was her own daughter. When my dad and Christine, my step-mom lock me inside during the town festival. Cruzita would get me a dress me up and take me to the festival. God, we had so much fun then." I said with a sigh, reminiscing about the memory.
"She will be missed dearly." Ivan said drinking his wine.
I turned to look at him. "You will find whoever did that to Cruzita." I stated not asking him.
"I swear it." Ivan said looking at me dead in the eye so I could see his sincerity.
Satisfied with his answer, I nodded my head him. "Good." With that said I stood up to leave the room and retire to my chambers. I whistled for Blue and together we left the dining room and went to my room, where I collapsed on the bed and mourned for Cruzita.
I woke up the next morning with the sunlight streaming through the curtains. We were approaching summer already, I muse with a small smile as I stared at the window. I sat up on the bed and looked around. I found Blue still sleeping at the small rug beside my bed.
I reached down and stroke his head while he nuzzled my hand, still sleeping. I was still stroking Blue's fur when the door opened. A girl came in and I recognized her as one of the servants who were always attending to me.
"Good morning, my name is Yasmin and I'm the personal maid that has been assigned to you." The girl introduced herself while I stared at her in shock, "Um is something the matter?" Yasmin asked when I continued staring at her.
"Y..you can talk?" I pointed out still in shock.
Yasmin cocked a brow up at me. "Of course I can talk, what are you talking about?"
"Then why didn't you bother saying anything when I was talking to you? You guys always had a blank look on your face and ignored me whenever I said something." I said looking at her in disbelief.
"Oh that, well we were under orders not to get friendly with you and we also kinda hated you." Yasmin said as she walked over to Blue who was already awake and she began stroking his head.
"Oh." Was all I said in response.
Yasmin nodded her head befoee she continued. "You gave us a lot of work you know, with you escaping and all of that? Do you even know the amount of silk you wasted from pulling that little stunt of yours? Like what is it with you humans and your crazy thoughts?" Yasmin asked shooting me a look but I just gave a sheepish smile on response.
"Sorry about that." I apologized to her.
Yasmin just let out an exasperated sigh, "Oh well, I guess your situation is understandable. By the way, I'm sorry about your help who died." She apologized with a sad smile.
"Cruzita wasn't just my help, she was the mother I never had." I corrected her firmly.
Yasmin nodded her head at me before she apologized. "My apologies then."
"It's alright." I told her blinking back fresh tears that were about to well up my eyes.
"Alright then!" Yasmin said suddenly as she clapped her hands, "Let's get you ready for today." She announced.
I went into the bathroom to take my bath. Then got dressed in a light blue off the shoulder dress with feathery skirt Yasmin had picked for me. Yasmin styled my hair for me and when I was done, we went outside of my room with Blue following us. Yasmin led me to the dining where I was the the only one. I couldn't find Ivan or his siblings.
"King Ivan went on a mission to go find Cruzita's killer and prince Kiran went along with him . Princess Aurora is visiting town today." Yasmin reported when I inquired about them.
I nodded my head with a sigh. "I guess it's just me today."
I quietly ate my breakfast under the watchful gaze of the guards and servants. I finished eating while the servants came to clear the plate. I sat still on my seat my mind wandering about what Yasmin said about Ivan finding the killer for me. He really was serious about keeping his promise then! I muse a small smile grazing my lips.
I was still smiling when the door to the dining room burst open. I looked up to see a woman with long blonde hair that was piled up her head come into the room. She was dressed in a pink coloured gown that had flowery embroidery on it. I watched as she walked around the room, an air of arrogance about her. Whoever she was must be someone important! I muse as I carefully inspected the woman.
I was still watching her when the woman's gaze fell on mine. "Ah! So you are the human." She said assessing me with a bored look.
"And you are?" I arched a brow up at her and I watch the corner of her lips turn up at that.
"I am Princess Ravenna of Zeagia Kingdom!" She announced with pride.
I frowned at her. "Princess?"
"Yes, I am a princess." Ravenna confirmed for me before she walked closer towards me a malicious gleam in her eyes, "Now that you know who I am, my question is who are you?" She asked narrowing her eyes at me while I just stood still staring at her.
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