Chapter 80

**Tzalmon Point of View**

I froze.

Stumped by her sudden declaration, I felt cold sweat starting to form on my back. I couldn't believe she realized it; she knew it.

"Are you really that surprised that I realized the fact that you deliberately played a blind eye in the kidnapping?" She scoffed as a sneer snaked on her beautiful face.

"You take me for a fool, don't you?" Although her voice was calm and quiet, her tone wasn't. There was a mixture of emotions, definitely negative, in the way she said those words.

"When did you know?" How, wasn't a question anymore. Time and again she proved how smart and perspective she was.

"From the moment I opened my eyes on the foreign territory. For someone who is still partially cursed to enter your territory and take two people under your very nose; I'm not that stupid to not see your schemes." This woman is too smart for her own good.

She summed up my strategy in one full statement. However, I was more concerned about the boundless increase of hatred in her eyes towards me than her knowing my plans.

"To get Vizac to drop down his guard and to easily, effectively and quickly eliminate both your father and Vizac, you sure thought of a good plan." She nodded her head as she touched the cloth nearby and checked it out.

"I was certain of your safety so I dared to make a desperate move. I was always around you, to protect you, save you and accompany you." Although I knew she might face few troubles, I do know she would be safe as long as she is useful for Vizac.

It was only because of this reason I dared to think of this way. Also, she is very intelligent and observant. I know if things go a little out of my way, she can easily deal with the changed situation in her own way.

For her to still stand alone and independent in my kingdom without my help proves that she has strong will and command over her life.

"How heart touching. Should I be thankful that to test your high quality heavenly royal ointment, you chose me to be burnt? Then I should thank you I guess. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to be a small pawn in your greater plans for the welfare of your kingdom. It is my honor to be chosen by the king himself for such a worthy task. For you to not spare even your own flesh and blood for the greater good, I don't think even Gods cannot compete with you." How come I became a villain again?

Didn't send Igses along for her own safety measures? If she knew so much then she should also know that Igses was part of it because one I didn't want to separate her from our son and two, Igses is only an infant but he is much more powerful and protective of her than anyone in both the territories.

"I know you are angry but I did it partially for you as well. If the issue with Vizac is dealt with then you will not have a threat on your head. I was able to pull this off because I trust you and your abilities."

This is the first time in my life that I was giving explanation of my actions to someone. She should understand by now that I have noble reasons for doing whatever I did and did not wish any harm on her or my son.

"Tzalmon Jerk Ebernus, I'm so petrified by you nonchalance. Are you really so dumb and heartless or are you pretending to be one?" Before I could respond, the chief spy I brought along stepped forward angrily and pointed an accusing finger at her.

"You should be careful with your words, Milady." And with those words from him, I closed my eyes and rubbed my forehead as my headache was coming back again.

This fool, why was he defending me in front of her? I was silently taking whatever she was saying; doesn't that mean I am alright with her words?

"And this gentleman will teach me how to speak when he himself doesn't know his own boundaries and interfere in a discussion going on between his King and a second party when he is not asked for his opinion. This is between him and me, when did any of us ask for your opinion? Even your King did not say anything, what are you being so excited for?" When she finished whatever she has to say, I sent a glare towards him and he immediately got the message and shut his mouth.

"I'm not heartless, not for you at least, Eblilis." I spoke, trying to get her attention back to me. I said softly and tenderly hoping she would see the truthfulness of my words.

For a moment, she gaped at me as if what I said made her speechless. She snickered in ridicule at me and shook her head as she mumbled something to herself.

"The maidservant will be here any moment now. Just sell me what I chose and leave. Don't show your face again and focus on your own revenge. I can take care of myself and my son. My son can take care of himself and me. It's not like I have high expectation on you but I was still stupid to think you might have changed your perspective even by a fraction of a percentage. I'm indeed stupid."

"Where did I go wrong? Tell me why you think I'm heartless when I'm still here to keep you safe." She was stubbornly silent and did not even spare an answer to me.

"The maidservant will not come until we are done talking, Eblilis. My people are still around so you don't need to think about wasting time. I want to know what made you so angry. I want to know your hatred for me increased so much."

She sighed and it was first time in many months that I saw tears in her eyes. Tear after tear rolled down from her eyes but her eyes were still fierce and unyielding.

Wiping away the tears, she heaved heavily and looked into my eyes gravely. "Have you ever heard of consent, Your Majesty?"

"My bad, you should've heard about it. After all, you never had to get one from anyone. Let me tell you. Consent is permission or agreement to do something. Over the past two years, you have never once asked me about anything when it is related to my life. For your information, to live and maintain this life, I breathe, eat, sleep for myself. When it is me who holds my life intact, what kind of a pig are you to just use me, force me and decide for me? You, evil spirit, just did whatever and however you like and never considered my feelings. Just because you are stronger than me, you took advantage of me again and again."

"You ask me why I hate you? Tell me, why I should not hate you. Give me one good reason why I should not despise your very existence. You say Lord Vizac is evil and is a threat to my life; tell me, are you any better? If you would've taken a better route from the very beginning even though I might not agree immediately, we would've gotten into a deal amicable. But to an evil existence like you, consent means nothing. To be the person to free you, I feel ashamed of myself. I don't know what your father and Vizac did that they are called evil but you are no different from them."

"I curse the day when fates decided to involve me in this cruel game." She shot up from her chair and picked Igses without even caring to let me carry him once, preparing to walk off.

"You are just over-thinking, Eblilis. You are getting emotional for being in closed quarters in enemy territory. That is all. When you calm down and think of how accommodating I was being all through, you will understand that I had always cared for you." I realized she misunderstood me in some things.

She thinks I wasn't compassionate towards her but only I know how concerned and obliging I've been all this time.

But when she said she was ashamed of herself because of me, I saw it in her eyes and in every pore of her body that she meant it. She meant every word she said and I don't know how to clarify this misunderstanding between us.

She is important to both my kingdom and me; I wish she realize how I prioritize her first.

"Enemy territory? Your Majesty, this is your enemy territory, not mine." Saying, she walked off without waiting for me to say anything.

When she reached the door, she stopped but did not turn around while speaking with finality.

"They say, only when you experience it firsthand will you truly learn. I pray you learn the lessons of your mistakes the hard way."

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Hello Sweeties,

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