1338 word(s)
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295: Final Chapter 1.
As Prince Nikolai nursed, that was when the King gave the Queen the good news of Vetta's survival.
Danika was so happy. Tears of joy returned to her eyes again. So much joy, it was contagious.
She kept thanking the heavens over and over again and immediately she was done breastfeeding, she insisted on going to see Vetta.
No matter how Baski and the others tried to discourage her because of her vulnerable state, she refused adamantly. In the end, the King instructed Chad to carry her to Vetta's bedroom while he stayed with their sleeping baby.
Vetta teared up at the sight of Danika. They were hugging immediately Danika's body touched the bed. They were crying together too.
Vetta was thanking her for saving her life while the Queen is thanking her for being alive. Today has changed Anarieveta's life for the better.
Not only did she see the Queen for who she really is, but she also saw her as the best friend she can ever have, and the best woman the King can ever have. Today, she also saw people's love for her. Baski, Chad, Sally, Dargak, and Zariel have visited her times without number. It was beautiful.
She and Danika spent a lot of time lying together on the bed, talking together...bounding together. Vetta agreed with tears in her eyes to be Prince Nikolai's aunt and godmother, alongside Sally. It made her so happy, she cried. But Danika held her hands consolingly all the while.
They agreed that once she's better, she'll see the Prince, and get to hold him. The former mistress was all too happy. She has so many new reasons to live again.
Few hours after the Queen was taken back to her bedroom to get some much-needed rest, the King visited Vetta too.
He hugged her.
Kissed her forehead.
Scolded her for giving them all a scare.
Thanked her for killing that monster, Coza, for him.
Thanked her for saving Danika, almost giving her life for her and his son.
Thanked her for being alive.
He made her promise that she will never give him a scare like that again. She has no right to die on any of them, he chided her gently.
"I never knew that...so many people will c-care...!" Vetta burst out, new tears trailing down her cheeks.
"We care. We all care." He palmed her cheek, "Live for us, Anarieveta. I don't mind if you want to live in the palace. I don't mind if you want to live as my mistress again—not the intimacies, of course, I do not want that from any other person but my Danika, now. But, I'll happily give you the title, the power, and the money. I don't care how you want to live again, but please, live for all of us, Vetta."
Those words meant the world to her, she hugged his waist because she was standing over her. "Oh yes, I'm going to live for so many reasons, My King. I am Prince Nikolai's godmother, and I love it so much. Thank you so much, but I don't want to live in the palace. I don't want to be a Mistress again."
She smiled at him, "There's a whole new world outside the palace, I'm happy to have explored a bit of that life. Now I plan to explore so much more of that life and find myself completely while living this time. Thank you so much for sending me out of the palace, months ago. Thank you for helping me begin the journey of healing and of finding myself again, My King."
She'd wondered that. Every single day in that godforsaken dungeon.
Does he hate her that much? Does he want to drive her insane? Why will he leave her there knowing fully well what that enclosed confinement means to her? She'd asked herself over and over again in that place.
He continued, "But then, that was what opened my eyes to everything that was happening to you. To the fact that our time of hellish captivity affected you much more than it showed. Then, I remembered Anarieveta. The woman that died over and over again, so that I can live."
Vetta lowered her eyes in shame, tears splashing on the bed. "I am so sorry, so sorry...!" She sobbed.
"I told Danika about Anarieveta. She was so hurt to hear it. She cried for you. For the woman you were. I knew I had to let you out and let you go out there to the world to try and find yourself again." he paused, swallowed, "It was also my way of doing my damnest to let go of the pains of finding out that you connived and slept with Karandy. The pains of finding out that you almost killed my unborn son and my woman."
"I am so so sorry. I will never forgive myself for that." She sniffled, her head still lowered.
But he held her jaw and tipped her head upwards so that their eyes met. "Remembering the girl you were and sending you away helped me to let go. Today, seeing you with Danika, seeing your close brush with death, seeing the woman who saved my woman and son...destroyed the rest of that pain."
He kissed her forehead, "I forgive you, Vetta. I know Danika forgives you. I hope you forgive yourself so that you can keep living for us. We all love you, Anarieveta."
She threw her arms around him again, sobbing opening while he patted her shoulders soothingly. She thanked him over and over again.
Vetta might be crying, but she is happy. Now, she knows how to move on, and even if she has no idea what her future will look like, she knows that it's time she works towards it and figures it out by herself.
And she was ready.
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