Victory…
**Veronica’s POV**
“Simon, what are you doing? Don’t tell me you, of all people, have now decided to let her stay here even after everything,” Lucas said, turning his gaze towards Simon. In fact, literally everybody in the room had their attention on Simon as every person in the room couldn’t make sense of what was happening. Wait, was he seriously going to pardon Ashley? If we expected anybody to even be doing that, then it would be none other than Lucas, so what exactly was Simon thinking?
Without responding to everyone or giving any attention to the questioning looks directed at him, he shifted his gaze to Ashley, and for a moment, it felt like I was going to run mad from the mere thought of him actually letting her go unpunished. Very calmly, he walked towards Ashley, and a weak smile soon appeared on her face, which was already soaked in so many tears; though I felt she hadn’t cried enough to my satisfaction. Everyone had thought he would probably give her a hug or just do anything to comfort her. However, he took us all by surprise by yanking off the necklace that was on her neck.
“I asked you what was going on here because I just couldn’t bring myself to understand how in the world you would let this woman take the very expensive diamond-engraved ancestral piece you had gifted her. This makes me even question why exactly you made that decision.”
“Oh wow, how could I have forgotten to take it back? Who knows, she could just go ahead and sell it to our enemies the exact same way she gave out our secrets.”
“No, Lucas, I really haven’t done anything,” she cried out, moving closer to reach out to him. He immediately stepped away, avoiding her touch, and I smiled at the hilarious sight of her tripping on the edge of the rug, close to falling, in fact.
Her eyes filled with fresh new tears, and her voice trembled as she said once again, “I swear on my life, I had nothing to do with the leaks or Madam Morticia’s death. I was framed. Veronica is the one who’s been selling our secrets to the enemy, not me. She’s lying to save herself.”
I frowned, utterly furious at her constant nagging. The longer she remained in the house, the more chances I had of being exposed, because how in the world did she possibly hear the conversation I had with Mom? Indeed, the mansion’s walls do have ears! All this while, I had been standing quietly by the wall, but this time I knew I had to step forward before she somehow managed to convince them that she was really innocent of everything. Putting on a mask of innocence, I walked closer to where everybody else stood before speaking up. “Simon, I already mentioned this, so please don’t listen to her. She’s just trying to save herself by spinning these lies. We have evidence-testimonies from the staff and the spy we captured. She’s the one responsible.” Looking straight into Ashley’s eyes, I let out a very subtle smirk, which was instantly replaced by my look of innocence within the space of half a second before proceeding.
“Okay, let’s just say that you were framed, that you had absolutely nothing to do with everything, and that it was all me. I supposedly let out the secrets of the mansion that I am betrothed to, and I also killed the most trusted staff member who literally watched me grow up with Simon and Lucas all through our lives. It was all me. Ashley, do you have any proof to counter all the accusations and all the witnesses in light of what you’re saying?” She stuttered, swallowing back the response she had originally wanted to relay, so I laughed out loud and clapped my hands.
“You see! She’s just trying to deceive us. In fact, that is what she has been doing since she got into the house. This is so sad.”
No matter how much she tried to open her mouth to speak, the words all seemed to be caught in her throat. Proof? How could she possibly prove anything when I had so carefully orchestrated the whole thing against her? Only just myself and my mother-and supposedly even her as well-know about the secrets I had leaked to that crazy man who kept threatening me. Apparently, the psycho’s name is Fabian. The death of Madam Morticia was also something we both knew I did, but I had planned and executed it in such a way that she would end up taking the fall for it as well.
“I… I don’t have any physical proof,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “But I swear on everything I hold dear, I’m telling the truth. Please, Lucas and Simon, I really need you two to believe me.”
The room remained silent for a while, and I panicked for fear that they were possibly considering her request. The tension in the room was palpable, every second stretching out painfully as we all waited for their judgment.
The frown on Simon’s face deepened as soon as he looked down at the necklace in his hand. Even though I was really excited about how everything turned out, I couldn’t possibly deny the fact that I was extremely heartbroken by what they had done. How could they have given something as important and luxurious as one of the ancestral pieces-a crazily expensive diamond necklace-to that dirty slave and not me?
As if reading my thoughts, Simon slowly made his way towards where I was standing, as he went behind me to help place the necklace on me. I smiled cheekily, basking in the attention after bringing down my worst enemy. The feeling was overwhelming!
“Beautiful! Now it’s on the right person,” he said, as he kissed me on my neck from behind. I shivered from the feel of his warm lips on my skin and looked at Ashley, who was extremely pained by what was happening.
“Lucas, I don’t think we should delay the marking ritual anymore. Let’s claim our beautiful wife as soon as we get rid of the trash that has been stinking up the mansion, or what do you think?” He said, lifting up my hand and planting a kiss on the back of my palm. I blushed from the simple act, staring Ashley down to rub the whole thing in her face.
“Of course! Why should we deny the kingdom the long-awaited and deserving queen it has needed for so long?” Lucas concurred, and a tear fell from Ashley’s eye. I winked at her, and she yelled out full of hurt, which I was enjoying.
“Barry, when I told you both to get this woman out of this house, I thought I made myself extremely clear. I see you two would love to go join our ancestors and the Moon Goddess herself any time soon, right?” Lucas spoke up, and the room was soon tense once again. “Ashley is guilty, so she must be punished accordingly.” He walked closer to where both guards had grabbed her very tightly, ready to have her thrown out. “I’m going to pardon you two because the other time my brother, your king, had been the one to order you guys to stop. After all, we obviously needed to get our future queen her property from the imposter. But now I don’t think you can actually afford to make the mistake of not getting her out of this place within the next 10 seconds,” he thundered, and without any caution whatsoever, Ashley was instantly dragged out of the mansion, crying and kicking the air as they transported her out for good.
The atmosphere was filled with her annoying cries and pleas for mercy, but it sounded like music to my ears. I thrived in my victory, as usual-I mean, I am the one and only daughter of King Norway, and I always get whatever I want. The look on both Lucas’s and Simon’s faces was mixed with so much emotion, but I honestly couldn’t care less how they were feeling about the whole thing. However, all I really cared about was my victory and the fact that the biggest thorn in my flesh was finally thrashed out. The day possibly couldn’t be any better.
I had high hopes for everything, I prayed for things to go my way, and I furthermore stepped forward with a giant leap of faith, to be honest, but I really didn’t expect things to work out this well-although I was absolutely loving it. Basically, even though I had expected a couple of things to end up the way they eventually did, I just couldn’t contain the inner joy I felt having every single thing go in my favor even better than I expected. Not only was Ashley finally out of the house, but there was obviously no way she was ever going to return again. Not to mention the fact that the whole drama about who Lucas and Simon would end up getting married to would finally come to an end. Their long-awaited bride is ready, and that beautiful bride is none other than the one and only Veronica Norway!
A wave of relief washed over me, and my knees nearly buckled under the stress of standing for so long. But thankfully, everything was well finished and done-well, at least for my good, and that was all I truly cared about.
As soon as the mansion was finally void of her annoying voice, a deep frown soon settled on Lucas’s face, as he walked out of the living room to go into his bedroom. It didn’t take much longer before Simon also left, and the maids around soon returned to whatever they were doing before.
Within no time, I was soon left alone in the magnificent living room. I smiled, letting out a deep sigh as I raised both my hands in pure happiness.
As I stood alone in the grand living room, basking in the afterglow of my triumph, I felt the weight of the diamond necklace around my neck-a tangible reminder of my victory over Ashley. The very air seemed to hum with the energy of what I had achieved, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I was truly at peace. The grand chandelier above cast a warm glow on the ornate furnishings, and everything seemed to shimmer with a newfound brilliance. This mansion, this kingdom, and soon, this entire realm would be mine to rule alongside Lucas and Simon.
But as much as I wanted to savor this moment, I knew I couldn’t afford to let my guard down. My mother had always told me that the moment after a victory is when you’re most vulnerable. Enemies could be lurking in the shadows, plotting their revenge, or worse, trying to undermine my newly solidified position.
Just as these thoughts crossed my mind, the door to the living room creaked open. My heart skipped a beat as I turned to see who dared to interrupt my solitude. To my surprise, it was not an enemy but my most trusted maid, Amira, who stepped into the room.
“My lady,” she said, her voice smooth and measured, “you’ve done well. You’ve secured your place here, just as we all want”
I nodded, feeling a rush of warmth at her approval. “I know, Amira. But Ashley is gone, and the kingdom and this mansion in particular is finally going to run the way it should”.
She smiled, but there was something in her eyes-an edge that made me uneasy. “Is there any problem Amira?”
“No not at all my lady, it’s just that we need to be extra cautious henceforth. There are still forces at play, unseen and unheard, that could challenge us. We must be vigilant.”
I frowned, trying to understand what she was implying. “Forces like what? Ashley is no longer a threat, and both Simon and Lucas are on my side again. Who could possibly stand against us now? Don’t start with this nonsense before you ruin my mood”
“My bad my lady I apologize”
“You better, I will get me a refreshing glass of pineapple juice, let me bask in my victory” she curtsied, and then left me in the living room while I continued with my mini celebration