Tangled By Fate

Chapter 436: THE CHOICE

“...If I tell you to go to the safe house until I take care of the queen, will you roam around the world without me and do whatever you want without including me?”

Veronica firmly replied, “Yes, exactly. I have to give you your own medicine to make you understand the situation you’re creating between us.

“If I don’t do this much, how will you understand the emptiness in my heart? I will let you choose the future of our marriage. Whatever you choose I will accept it. So, what do you say?”

She had enough of his slyness. She didn’t want to give in anymore. She suffered without him before. She could go through that again because this time she was prepared.

However, she didn’t want to be separated from him; especially not at a time like this. She married him because she loved him.

That’s why she worked so hard to stand by his side. She didn’t want to let go of such an opportunity.

Thus, she could use this kind of gambling tactic to pin him down.

.....

“Fine, you win. You don’t have to go anywhere. I will let you protect me,” Arthur finally gave in.

He could barely live with her out of his sight. He would turn into a madman if she left his sight forever.

Veronica’s face beamed with happiness. She tightly embraced Arthur’s motionless body.

Arthur felt helpless seeing her cuteness. He hugged her back and muttered softly in her ear, “My princess, you are in serious trouble.”

“As long as we are working together, nothing is trouble,” Veronica replied with a smiley face.

“From now on, whatever we do, we do it together. I dare you to say no to me. If you do that just like today, I will leave you for good. I won’t let you hurt me again and again and let you go with it.”

With a sweet voice, she warned him.

Arthur powerlessly looked at her. His fingers brushed through her hair.

“Princess, I learned my lessons. I promise that I won’t dare to utter such nonsense in front of you again,” he swore.

Veronica responded with a smile, “I’m glad that you feel that way. Now let’s make a plan of what to do to take down the Queen. I’m tired of going everywhere with bodyguards.”

“Sure,” Arthur agreed.

———-

Ovior, Zinnia, Ironin, Felix and Darius were standing outside.

“How long are they going to argue? They keep repeating the same argument again and again. This is so frustrating,” Darius complained.

“It’s just Veronica wants to prove herself but Arthur doesn’t want to give her any chance. I pity that girl,” Zinnia sympathized with Veronica.

“It doesn’t change the fact that she is vulnerable against the Queen and she is Arthur’s greatest weakness,” Felix stated. “He is right to keep her safe somewhere where the Queen cannot touch her.”

Zinnia said, “But if he keeps doing that, Veronica’s position as the Mistress of the Magic Tower will be vulnerable. If he cares about her face, he won’t do such a thing like that.”

“You know Arthur doesn’t care about reputation,” Felix told her. “Up until now what I’ve seen is that Arthur only cared about Veronica’s safety. Nothing else matters to him.”

“It’s not like anything will happen to her when we’re the ones protecting her.” Zinnia shrugged.

“Anyway, I had enough of couples fighting. I don’t want you two to argue in front of me,” Darius stopped them from talking. “It’s a good thing that I didn’t get married. I would have lost my freedom if I did.”

“Yes, be single and have some pet animals like Ovior,” Zinnia sarcastically remarked.

Ovior frowned when he heard the sarcasm. “Don’t bring my children into your fight,” he warned her.

Before Zinnia could say something, the door of Arthur’s office opened automatically.

The five people outside froze for a moment. They looked at each other, trying to make sure if one of them opened the door.

But everyone had the same expression. Only after they confirmed that none of them opened the door, did they look inside.

They found Arthur sitting on his chair and Veronica was sitting on the sofa.

The seriousness from before was long gone.

The atmosphere had become warm and cozy.

Everything was so normal as if nothing happened just a few moments ago.

Ovior stepped forward. “I hope you finish your conversation. May I know what you have decided?”

“Arthur decided that I will be here, protecting the tower by your side,” Veronica declared.

“What? Arthur gave in?!” Darius exclaimed. He stared at the couple in astonishment.

Veronica retorted, “How is that possible that Arthur wouldn’t let me stay? It would be wrong if I didn’t stay. Shouldn’t you be happy?”

“I do not have a clue. Tell me honestly. Did you blackmail him?” Darius interrogated her.

“Is this what you think of me?” Veronica didn’t reply to his question. Instead, she asked him back.

Since Darius didn’t get any direct reply from her, he looked at her suspiciously.

“Well, you should know that I don’t think highly of you. I have seen how you use your underhanded techniques. So what you are weak? You can take down a giant enemy by using their weakness. If you are the enemy, you will become the worst kind of enemy.”

“I am upset that you think that way.” Veronica pretended to be sad.

She quickly added, “However, one thing is certain. I’m a worthy opponent, and why not? Since Darius said so himself, I have nothing else to prove.

“No one can take me away from my position. I will perform my duty as a mistress and you cannot do anything about it.”

Arthur shook his head. It was the first time he felt so weak in front of her.

Ovior scanned his face and then sat on the couch. “Since that’s how it is, I have nothing else to say. Shall we start our meeting?”

———–

The next day, Catherine went to Ovior’s office. She was supposed to start working today since Ovior called her for an emergency.

When she opened the door, she found Veronica coming out of the room. They almost collided with each other.

“Ver, you scared me. Why are you here so early?” Catherine asked.

“Did you forget that I am currently working for Ovior?” Veronica reminded her.

“No, I remember. But it’s not the time for work yet. Or did I come late?” Catherine checked the clock that was hanging on the wall.

“No, you are on time,” Veronica corrected her friend. “Due to a long meeting, I wasn’t able to finish some work. So, I started early. I will talk to you later. Bye for now.”

Catherine saw her going back to Arthur’s office. She entered Ovior’s office and closed the door. she didn’t find Ovior at his seat.

From the moment he bought some pet animals, it was the usual time he would wake them up and feed them.

She didn’t wait for him. She looked at her table and saw a pile of papers. Seeing the usual site, she relaxed.

Ironin came inside long after and sat on a couch. There were some papers on the tea table. It was his work.

“Good morning, Ironin. How are you doing?” Catherine greeted him while working.

“Good,” Ironin curtly replied.

Catherine continued, “Thank you for letting me stay at your place. Your wife is a gorgeous and refined lady. She’s one of the kindest women I have seen in my life.”

“...” Ironin didn’t say anything but his expression became smooth.

Catherine observed him for a while. Although he was quiet, she didn’t leave him alone.

After coming back from the castle, she had something she wanted to share with him. However, he was so busy that she didn’t have the chance.

Since Ovior wasn’t here, she wanted to use this chance to let out what she wanted to him.

She said, “You know what; at first I thought you liked Ver. She’s the most gorgeous woman in the world. She’s kind and sweet. She is naive and weak. Any man will want to protect her. Before they know it, they develop certain feelings for her. The same happened to Arthur.

“Darius is a dumb guy. He only thinks with his dick. That’s why he didn’t fall for her. But Ironin, you are different. You are a strong, quiet and smart man. You captured your feelings quickly. You held back your feelings even though you knew you were already in the trap.

“I have seen the paintings you draw. Do you know you let your emotions run wild when you paint? I studied art when I was back in the temple. I used to analyze the greatest paintings of history. Your paintings are masterpieces.

“However, unlike your personality where you can control your emotions, you cannot control it when you paint. In the whole castle, the most beautiful painting you have done is Ver’s.

“You love her, don’t you? Is it because her personality is similar to Lady Jannette?”