Chapter 28: Chapter 28

—Finding Marco

Anika POV as Ariana

I swear to myself that I won't tolerate her unreasonable decisions. She betrayed me and stab me behind my back. I, the Anika Perez of Perez Hotels and Resorts was being deceived by someone who just came from the past many years ago?

I've been walking back and forth to my room. I'm happy King Darius is kind to me and he didn't even touch every single strand of my head. I thought something will happen after the party but he ordered Lira to show and escort me to my room.

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Flashbacks

The Party

Everyone we're dancing on the dance floor and I was there only standing at the corner. King Darius, we're surrounded by his concubines but I didn't join them. My thoughts were at Marco if where is he now and what did King Darius do to him.

I was in my thoughts when I saw the king is waving his hands at me. I quickly walked forward to the King's table where all of the King's officials were sitting there.

"Come here, Ariana! Sit beside General Argus" he ordered me.

Even I had a dark past at his soldier's general, I accepted his request and made my way near him. I saw him smirks and I glared my eyes at him.

"I can't understand why you took him, my Lord. She's a crazy woman who mocked me but I think your taste to somen Is not that bad." He uttered to the King and everyone was surprised when he hastily hit his palm on the table.

All of them stared at each other especially Argus.

"How dare you ridiculed my woman in front of me! I am your King and all of you must respect her or else I'm going to slash the neck of anyone!" He shouted to everyone.

I quietly set a grin on my face. Good for him he's an asshole. He quickly stood up and bowed his head to apologize to his king.

"I'm sorry, my Lord. It won't happen again!" He told him.

King Darius took a deep breath.

"Go, apologize at Ariana" he ordered him to do it.

Argus was shocked by his King's order. Anika raised her eyebrows at him and set an evil smile where everyone can't see it. Argus saw her doing it and she saw him clenching his fist under the table.

"General Argus, maybe you sometimes act gentleman in front of these ladies" one of King's advisers Reg told him.

Argus wanted to kill Anika but he can't right now since she fooled the King with her beauty and charm.

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"I guess, no need for you to be harsh on him, my Lord. His sincere apology means to me. We can talk about it later if you let me!" I told the king with a lovely smile on my face.

The King listened to me and the party continued.

I excuse myself to go to the bathroom. It's not what I wanted actually. I made my way to the dungeon. Everyone is busy having a good time at the party. This is my chance to help the prisoners inside the palace. I saw corridors leading to a small way to a limited space room. I have a hunch that this is the way to the dungeon. I remember during our history class, our teacher showed us a picture of what the dungeon looks like during the medieval age. There's a lot of fire going to the pathway since it's dark and it was located under the palace.

My eyes widened when I found it.

"This is it!" I mumbled as I made my way inside with a torch in my hands.

I saw several cells and prisoners called me for my help. I had no idea who I was doing but I can't help them to get out of here. I am looking for someone. I want to find Marco so that we can set our next plan. Right now I need his help. I want him to find Karl. I know he knows a lot of things in this place and I mentioned my case to him. I know that he knows something about the girl named Ariana. I remember how his eyes twitch when I told him about Salem, a place where she lived and Ergo told me her past that she became a concubine assistant of King Markus of the Arcadia Kingdom. I must find her parents first so that I know what kind of people are they, why they sold her to the king. I think something is fishy about her past.

At last, I found him. I saw Marco. They captured him too.

"Marco, pssst...It's me, Anika. Don't make any noise" I called him with my soft voice.

He was with six prisoners and when all of them turned around, my eyes widened when I saw a familiar face.

"Karl? What are you doing here? So, they caught you after betraying me!?!" I asked him angrily.

Marco stared at him too.

"Do you know each other?" Marco asked Karl.

Karl looked shocked to see Anika and nod his head.

"Yes, we both know each other and she's the reason why I am here," he told everyone while putting his head down not planning to look me in my eyes.

I formed my hands into a ball. I felt mad at him for betraying me just like Ariana did to me.

"How dare you! I thought of you as a friend but you fooled me!" I can't contain my anger anymore. I wanted to let it out.

I saw the guilt in his eyes. Marco has no idea about it.

"I'm so sorry, Anika. I thought they will promote me to be the next general of soldiers but Argus deceived me too!" He came closer to see me.

"I hate you so much! Do you know how I almost got killed in the forest?" I yelled at him.

To my surprise, Marco harshly grabs Karl's t-shirt and pushed him against the wall. All of them were shocks too.

"You are useless! It's good that they sealed you with us! See, your co-soldiers threw you in here like a prisoner?" He shouted amok at him.

Karl holds his arms to get away from his grip. He tried to fight Marco but he was strong enough to stop him. Karl had no idea what kind of a guy is Marco. He is the Alpha of their packs and now that he's with them, he'll assure them that they will escape from this place.

"Guys, will you please stop! I came here to find you, Marco. Just leave him alone! I'll deal with him later!" I stop them.

"This is not the time to argue okay. Marco, just wait until I talk to the King about you. I'm glad you're safe. I will come back I promise!" I said to him while my eyes were staring at Karl.

He just keeps his mouth shut. I think I made him feel guilty about what he did to me. I hurriedly went back to the party. I was almost on my way out from the entranceway of the dungeon when I saw Fox and Red approaching. I had no choice but to find an alibi.

"What are you doing here? Do you know that this place is prohibited?" Red informed me while he walked closer and trapped me on the wall.

I act innocent and sweet to both of them.

"I'm so sorry. I was looking for the restroom and I accidentally stumbled here. " I muttered until I found a good idea.

"Help! Help! " I shouted calling for help.

Both of them were shocked at what I did. I purposely messed up my hair and torn the beautiful dress, the king gave to me.

The soldiers came and the king. He saw me crying while playing a victim to my little game.

"They wanted to rape me, my Lord. I asked them where is the bathroom and they lead me here!" My tears began streaming on my face.

Fox and Red didn't know what to do.

"She's lying. We saw him----" the King interrupted.

"Take them to the dungeon. Argus, teach them a lesson! How they treat my woman is a crime!" King Darius ordered him.

Fox and Red will be punished. This is the only part of my plan. I need to take the King's side and him too for me to go on with my mission. I will deal with Ariana tonight.

"Lira!" He called his servant.

Lira came like a wind.

"Yes, my Lord" she replied.

King Darius gazes at me from head to toe. My heart pause from beating while waiting for his answer. I am ready for whatever he wants in his mind but I feel relieved when he did the opposite.

"Take her to her room, bath her and let her rest" he ordered her.

He walked out and leave me without even saying a single word.

Lira took me and help me dress.

End of flashback

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I prepared myself to sleep until I finally doze off. I had to meet Ariana. I had to see her and tell her about her mission. She must not betray me or else, I'll be going to stay here forever until my last breath.