Tangled By Fate

Ironin was taken aback by her accusation. He didn't move for a while.

When she was walking past her, he grabbed her wrist. 

"Wait, are you sure there wasn't any mistake?"

Veronica snickered. "Mistake? Am I blind? At first, I thought there could be an explanation. I thought it was magic or hallucination. 

"But then I knew it wouldn't be magic because magic couldn't be used in the Holy City. And, that wouldn't be a hallucination because everyone knew about it."

She tried to get away but Ironin wasn't ready to let go of her.

"Are you sure? Why don't you talk to him?"

"What is there to talk about? Ironin, let go. I'm not in the mood to have a conversation." She tried to pull her hand back.

Ironin nervously insisted, "Please… just talk to him. A burden on your chest, why not take it off?"

He was scared. He was afraid that she might disappear again if he let go of her hand.

"It's because I'm not ready to face it."

"Arthur spent months finding you in the old forest. So…"

"Then you people freed the elves. You have my thanks. I thought they were king's men."

"No, it was us. Zinnia thought you died. Arthur didn't."

He also wished to say that he too believed she was alive, but he couldn't just say it.

"I died… because I fell from the cliff? No, I was saved by some elves and they took care of me."

She glanced at Ironin. She touched his dark sleeve. Her voice was gentle as she spoke.

"Since they think I'm dead, can you not tell them that I'm alive. I might not ever go back."

She lowered her head. She didn't know why she was saying that. 

All she knew was that she had to take a journey to keep her promise. After that, she would travel around. 

She didn't have the heart to meet Arthur or any of them.

Ironin's eyes widened in surprise. He instantly held her arms.

"Please don't say that. How can you say that? I know you have become different. But please face him. 

"I'm not sure if he really played with women but I knew for sure he was devoted to you. Just talk to him once and you will know it."

Veronica sneered, "He was devoted to me and yet slept with other women. Don't you find it hilarious?"

"No, I don't. Because he signed a contract with the God of Underground to bring you back from the dead."

"What?" Veronica was astonished. 

"Do you think he is devoted enough? He killed hundreds in two months to sign a contract with the God of Underworld. He wants to see you."

Ironin's words made Veronica's head buzz. For a moment, her brain stopped working. 

As if the whole world stopped around her. She couldn't see, or hear, or feel anything.

Ironin realized that she was in a daze and jerked her body.

"Back to the earth, Veronica."

It was the first time he had pleaded to someone and talked so much. His mouth hurt.

Veronica came back to her senses. She stared at him as if she saw ghosts.

"What are you saying? Arthur summoned the God of Underworld? This is completely out of natural order!"

"Arthur doesn't care. He won't care. The only thing that matters to him is you to be by his side." Ironin was calm.

"This is so selfish." Veronica cried out. "Why is he acting like this? He is wise enough to know there are things that cannot be done!"

Ironin took a deep breath and insisted, "Veronica, I think you are underestimating his feelings for you."

Veronica was conflicted. "How can it be? I've seen him with other women. I won't ever accept my husband with another woman. Never!"

Keeping his composure, Ironin persuaded her, "That is why I want you to talk to him. Let him know you are alive and talk it out. Everything will be over."

"Let me think for a while. I also… need to dress up." Veronica lowered her gaze.

"Hmm?" Ironin was puzzled and looked at her shirt. He couldn't understand what else she should wear until his eyes reached her bottom.

"Ohh…" He immediately moved away and averted his gaze. His ears were warming up. 

Veronica's face burned in shame but she didn't express it. She hurriedly wore her pants and wrapped her wet hair with a cloth.

After that, she hung her wet clothes on the tree branches and sat under a nearby tree.

Ironin sat beside her. Two of them looked at the pond she was bathing half an hour ago.

Veronica sighed. "You know when I first saw Arthur, he was my savior. Then, he turned out to be a flirt. A charming flirt. Obviously, I was too naïve to realize I should stay away from a man like him.

"But then, we were constantly together. I found out he was loving, gentle, possessive, and annoying. Before I knew it, I was drawn to him. 

"We got married and had little adventures. If I think back, we really didn't know each other. Our physical relationship was stronger than our emotional relationship.

"Now I know a physical relationship isn't the most important thing. Your hearts have to be connected. Seeing him with other women was so painful that I thought my heart was torn apart.

"Only then did I know how much I love him and what his love actually meant. The truth is ugly and hurtful. I didn't want to face it. That's why I wanted to run away.

"Yes, running away was a good option but it wasn't successful. I got to learn that the world wasn't as I thought it was. People are foolish and they tend to make the wrong choice.

"I thought, 'what are the odds with that? Didn't I make a wrong choice too?' And then, I noticed something. I understood that people with little knowledge made more mistakes.

"Tonight, I found out that even the most learned man can make foolish mistakes.. For Arthur to do such a thing, is this his love or just possessiveness? Maybe all he wants is to control me or possess me or to owe me."