His Cursed and Forgotten Mate

Chapter 8

(Zephyr POV)

Andrew took this 'alone time' as the time to discuss some issues. He was now sitting, leaning on the tree as he explained about all the people he doubted as his enemies pretending to be on his side.

But I have to say he has a hand full of people he suspects. From the gardeners to the council members, the list went on and on.

"I will write a list so you will remember them."

"There is no need, your majesty. I remember everything after a single explanation. Just introduce these people when we meet them face to face"

He looked at me with a bit of suspicion but still nodded his head.

"Alright." He then looked at the sky before letting out a sigh. "Then let's head back. The sun is going to set and soon it will get really cold"

He stood up from his seat and extended his hand to me. Although I was hesitant because of the sparks I would feel, I accepted it.

It took a moment for me to gather my strength and ignore the feeling of sparks that burst around me.

"T-thank you"

"You look flustered" he chuckled, making me blush even more.

"N-nonsense. Why would I look flustered in front of you?"

I looked away with a cough, pulling my hand away from him.

"Oh, by the way, I heard a rumour that we are secretly visiting at night and yesterday I gave you the jacket to keep you warm."

"Well, it's not wrong, right? We saw each other last night and you gave me a coat. It's technically not a lie."

"We don't visit every night" he grins, making me roll my eyes.

"Ok. I lied a bit. Your majesty's coat was openly left in my room while the maids barged in. I had to come up with some kind of excuse. I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all. I don't care much about the rumour that goes around the palace. It will be a great bait to lure my enemies. Just be careful and look after yourself."

A bait to lure his enemies. Of course, I am no more than a protector in his eyes. Nothing more.

Later that evening, I finally met with my team.

"He is looking for a woman", Jasper said, as I raised one eyebrow. Beckie squealed a little, nodding excitedly.

"I have heard from the maids about an unrequited love for the king! Apparently, he had found his mate when he was young but lost his memories of her. He only knows some features about her and he hopes to find her using the magic of mate bond. That's so romantic, don't you think?"

My eyes were wide as I looked at the girl head over heels from the tragic love story of the king.

Is he searching for his mate? Is he searching for me?

"That may be true. Today he met a woman and you know what's crazy?" Jasper stared at me with a serious expression. "The girl had silver hair, just like you, lady Zephyr. When I tried to collect more information, I came to know that the only thing he knew about his mate was her long silver hair. He had mentioned to his vizier that such a girl had appeared in his dreams and he could feel the sparks. She visits his dream every night and, because of the earnings, he feels he never sleeps peacefully."

"Maybe that is why he insisted you to pretend as his mate. Everyone knows about the fact that his mate is a silver haired girl, so it would be more believable if you played the role."

"He is really smart"

I couldn’t utter a single word as I heard my team discuss about everything. They kept talking about the rumours they heard and the things they found out.

My hand formed into a fist as I tried my best not to cry. My mate has been searching for me all his life. Even if he has no hope, he is going around trying to find me.

But I am right beside him. I am right beside him and he doesn't know that.

I ground my teeth standing up. The two of them stopped their conversation and looked up at me shocked.

"Zephyr?"

"You can both continue the meeting. I feel a little sick. I will go back to my room."

I didn't even wait for their reply as I hurried to my room. It wasn't far from the meeting room but the hallways felt like it they had elongated. It was unexpectedly crowded as well.

Why is it so crowded?!

I was so much in a rush that I didn't notice someone coming out from the left opening that leads to the ground floor.

Slam! The collision got me off guard and I fell on the floor with a groan.

What the hell is wrong with me? With my training and ability, I should have known someone was coming but I was too occupied.

"You!" a female voice rose as I looked up. My eyes widened as I saw a familiar figure.

Someone who will always be my nightmare. She didn't change a lot. She looked a bit more mature and I could see strands of white hair here and there.

I quickly stood up and bowed.

"Your majesty, the queen" I said, as I heard a growl.

"What do you think you are doing here?! How dare you even plan to appear in this kingdom!?"

Clearly, she remembers who I am.

"This is impossible! He should not feel the sparks even after you touch him! How could he recognize you?"

I stared at the fuming woman in front of me, trying to keep a straight face.

I was right. They played with his mind and did something to our mate bond. His parents are the reason he doesn't recognise me.

"You!" she growled, snapping me out of my thoughts."Why have you come back?!"

She screamed, making my eyes widen.

"You were supposed to die! You were supposed to die and leave my son alone! Why are you back?"

Her outburst took me off guard. The maid and the people around ran towards us, not knowing what was happening.

"My queen, calm down. You can't be under stress when you have just recovered. Your heart is still weak", a woman, probably her personal maid, came running.

I watched in complete horror as she fell on her knees. She was coughing as she tried to calm down, grabbing hold of her chest.

"Call the doctor! Call the doctor now! The queen is sick."

Everything happened so fast. The queen was carried back to her room while I stared at the corridors, not knowing what to do. Everything happened so suddenly and unexpectedly.

I didn't think she would recognise me.

"Lady Zephyr! What did you do!" a familiar voice came up as I looked at Laurine walking towards me with a flushed angry face. "The queen has just gotten up from her illness and you... you planned it, didn't you? You knew she would cause a scene when she saw you! How can you do that!?"

I tried to stay void as I ignored her words. Only one thing was clear in my mind.

This woman was also one of the people who forced me to live with my mate.

"Laurine!" both our heads snapped as my eyes went to my mate, who was walking towards us with a displeased face. "Mind your words."

I didn't know why but I looked away, avoiding his stares.

"b-but...." the elderly woman looked furious, but she held her tongue to the present king."Go take care of my mother."

I didn't look up to see the maid but I heard the footsteps as she stomped away.

"Are you OK?" my mate voiced as he put his hand under my chin. My eyes widened as I allowed him to raise my head, so I looked at him in his eyes.

He frowned as he put his hands under my chin. "Don't cry."

I didn't even know I was tearing up. I pushed away from him, turning around and wiping my eyes.

"Ahh something must have fallen in my eyes" I said, a random excuse which was stupid. Who would believe this?!

"You should go back to your room. I will take care of the matters here", his concerned voice now turning emotionless. I looked at him but he had his back turned to me.

He was going to leave.

I wanted to stop him. I wanted comfort and I wanted help from him. But that was far from something I could dream of.

"Thank you, your majesty. I hope your mother is alright."

I didn't look back as I made my way to my room. As I walked my way, the whole of the maids and officials had their eyes on me. They didn't hesitate to discuss what happened earlier.

When I reached my quarters, I thought that at least then I would get some break, but I was wrong. The stares of the maids and their looks of disgust were making me feel sick to my core.

The queen remembers me and so does the head maid. There are more people who will recognise me.

Would it be alright if I stayed here? Maybe it'd be better if I just quit and returned. I didn't want to hurt him in any way. But no matter how much the odds lied against me, I was happy when I knew he was searching for me. He wanted me and only me, and although the possibility of us being together is very low, it still matters what he thinks of me.

I sighed and removed my clothes, wanting to take a bath. It will calm my nerves.

I tied my towel around my body, securing it before making my way to the bathroom. But before I could enter, I felt a moment.

My body acted on reflex as I grabbed the weapon that was closest to me. I threw the vase in the direction of the movement and the glass shattered into pieces, spilling water everywhere.

"Careful!" a voice came, making my eyes widen.

"Yo-your majesty!" I shouted as my eyes landed on a man who was on one knee. "Oh my god! Are you OK?!" I ran to him and tried to look for any injuries. He, on the other hand, looked away from me.

Under the light of the small lamp I could see his face was completely flushed.

"Your majesty?"

"Hmm" was the only response as he took a glance at me. "I am sorry I came at the wrong time."

I frowned at first, but my eyes widened as I realized what he meant.

"s**t!" I cursed as I ran to the bathroom and closed the door.

"I was going to take a bath!"

"I am sorry, my lady, please forgive me."

"It's ok. You didn't know"

There was a short silence after that. My heart was beating fast and I took deep breaths, grabbing the end of the towel.

"G-give me some time. We w-will talk after I shower"

"Yes. I understood. I will wait on the veranda", his voice sounded stiff as he talked hurriedly.

I was known to have quick baths and showers because of the limited time, but this clearly broke the record. I was out of the shower in less than 10 minutes.

I then took another 5 minutes to dress and, since I didn't want him to wait, I just randomly took a gown that caught my eyes the moment I opened the wardrobe.

"Sorry to keep you waiting" I said as I rushed to him.

"Oh? I don't mind. In fact, I am shocked you came...." he turned to look at me but paused, staring at me. "Early."

The word early came in a whisper.

I was confused as he kept staring at me.

"You really look familiar."