To His Hell and Back
Chapter 88: A Curious Wonder

Chapter 88: A Curious Wonder

Curious, Cassius narrowed his eyes ever so slightly. His red gaze hooded by the shadow of his lashes darkened. He had never questioned Arabella’s background, he didn’t have to. It wasn’t that he was weak to her charms and immediately believed that she was incapable of danger. He knew how everyone and even those weak humans to those haughty vampires were always hiding their true nature and were ready to do their worst for their own sake.

That was why when suspicion fell on Arabella, he didn’t expect it, an odd thing when he had always expected the worst outcome in people and situations.

It’s one thing if Arabella had always been pretending to be meek, but it didn’t seem like any of her actions were truly fake or pretentious. Instead, she was trying to survive so genuinely that he doubted she had been sent to either kill him or harm him.

But what if. What if she wasn’t aware of someone sending her here?

Sending her towards him to use her to harm him?

That would be very amusing indeed.

Aunt Eve saw him smiling and spoke disapproving, "You just have some bad idea swirling in your head don’t you?"

"Oh dear," he stood up, placing his hand on his aunt’s shoulders, "You worry too much auntie, I really could assure you that the throne will fall to my hands. You don’t have to worry."

He could hear his aunt grumbling and proceeding to speak about the potential marriage partner for him but his mind had let go of his aunt’s conversation, slowing down all his senses to focus on that noisy little heartbeat that seemed to be going further away from him. But it should be fine, he considered, after all, he had told Marissa to stick with her. The knowing Marissa who is always kinder to humans wouldn’t allow any dangerous people to stick with her.

"Besides, Cassius. I do think we have to proceed with Marissa’s marriage as soon as possible to Lucien," Aunt Eve called up to him again, and only then did his eyes turn toward her, the amusement on his lips had turned into a mocking grin.

"Lucien? Hell, even if he had grown another heart and began to pray to God above like a devout, I can assure you that I would never allow him to be married to Lucien."

Aunt Eve sighed. She knew her son too well and how Lucien had the bad habit of always trying to trap and make sure Cassius’s throne would fall to him, even though the chances of doing that were extremely low. She had schooled her son but Lucien wasn’t someone she could control, like Cassius himself.

"But to keep our blood strong, we have to make sure that only each of us is married closely to one another."

"Auntie," Cassius crossed his arms and frowned, tugging the left corner of his lips. "Don’t you hear just how disgusting it is? I can allow Marissa to be engaged to Lucien to protect her from all those rumors that had been scarring her reputation but to marry him?" He chuckled and then the smile disappeared, "Never. Just as I would never marry Adele."

Aunt Eve faltered, she wanted to argue but Cassius’s eyes had turned icy, clearly unhappy with her offer of marriage. But she couldn’t understand as this was something that was often done in the high royalties like them. In their world, to marry cousins and to keep their blood thick for the throne was always prioritized. She understood that Adele could never be enough for Cassius but not Lucien and Marissa.

The aunt then sighed, still not wanting to back down, "You still have to know that the throne is important Cassius. Considering how you haven’t married anyone or even plan to in the long run, Marissa needs to bore a son for the throne and Lucien is the best man in this entire land-"

"No," Cassius cut off. He looked at his aunt, "I know my mother and father hadn’t been the one to teach me to take care of my younger sister but even I know that if I don’t resist this marriage agreement between her and Lucien, the King will. Auntie, I understand you care for us, but the responsibility of the throne and such stuff, those heavy burdens, I have already told you that I will take care of it myself, alone." he added, finalizing his words. "No more use in trying to convince me. Unless she comes in front of me and tells me she has fallen in love with Lucien- which is almost impossible- I will never agree to it."

"Cassius," Aunt Eve called as Cassius walked away, rolling his eyes. "Cassius!"

Meanwhile, on the opposite path of the forest, Arabella had followed Princess Marissa who had taken a walk toward the forest. Coincidentally the Princess had strolled toward the forest, exactly where she had planned to visit! Arabella was bursting with hope as this meant that she could easily look all over the forest without any danger looming around her.

At least Princess Marissa had never shown aggression toward her like the rest.

"I have thought about it," Marissa spoke which startled her.

She turned toward the lady who was walking three steps faster than her. While she wanted to visit the forest to run away, the Princess seemed to think of walking further into the forest so no one else could listen to their conversation and eavesdrop.

"What you said," reminded Marissa while she looked at her with a look of confusion.

"What I said?" Bella had said a lot of things, most she doesn’t remember. Then it dawned on her that this was about the conversation they had during tea time with Queen Morgana.

She rubbed her head, answering thoughtfully, "About whether killing is bad or not?"

The vampiress nodded. Being a Princess, Marissa had always taught to have the regal of a Princess and the idea that she should never bow down to everyone. So Arabella could see how she struggled to show that she wanted to talk with the slave girl from heart to heart.

But Arabella felt as if she was looking at Ariel. Her sister and Princess Marissa were of the same age.

Out of curiosity, Arabella inquired, "How old are you, Princess?" Then she realized her tone and gasped, "I mean, if you do not mind sharing this with me, I would like to know."