It was a question filled with sincerity. I actually began to wonder if he was okay in the head.

The way how he spoke, as if I should be grateful was just plain...... annoying.

"What-

Before he could say anything more, I put my finger over his lips, hushing him.

"Get out. I have never liked you. Do not like you. And will never like you. Make it past, present or future"

As I said this, I tapped my finger against his chest, making every point clear. I then folded my arms and glared at him.

"Our engagement was just political. Nothing really important. After all there's always been someone else that I love"

The last part was a lie, but was thrown out in order to make Ronald even more mad.

Ronald had been unable to speak, in the face of my attitude. His face seemed to say, who was this lady that threatened him and spoke rebelliously?

After he regained his composure, he became angry and shouted.

"What?! How dare you speak to me like that! You insolent brat!"

He shouted and dragged me roughly by my wrist then began to pull me towards his carriage. 

I retaliated by delivering a sharp slap across his face, making his face turn to the side.

His hold on my wrist loosened. He reached for the swollen part of his face in which I had slapped.

"My Lady!" Someone shouted behind us. I could recognize the voice as Harper's.

She came running towards us.

Without hesitation, she pounced on Ronald and pushed him to the ground. He fell and landed on his behind. 

"How dare you touch my lady disrespectfully?!" Harper asked while holding him by his collar.

She cornered him and was about to punch him.

"Harper, stop" I ordered.

Her hand stopped in mid air, mere inches away from Ronald's face.

I looked from Harper who was sitting on top of Ronald and holding his collar, then at Ronald who was shaking in fear.

Seeing him so miserable on the ground made me laugh. But I covered my mouth to control it.

"Ronald, let me make it clear to you. Do not cross my path again. I'm done playing these little games with you, though they were fun"

It was the truth, burning his business and insulting him today was enough with my revenge against his cheating and all wrong done against me.

"As long as you leave me alone, I assure you that I won't cause anymore harm to you"

With that, I eyed Harper meaningfully and turned to walk away. 

Harper got the message. She released him and followed behind me.

When we were in the mansion, I could hear him shout.

"Adrianna!!! You b*tch!"

So now you can bark? 

If I were in a bad mood, I might have sent Harper back outside to silence his shouts, but I was feeling good today. So I ignored his ranting and was going up to my room.

As I passed the dining side, about to climb the steps, Paisley held me by my wrist and asked.

"Adrianna, where's Ronald?"

I turned around and looked down on her. The ends of my lips raised, as I gave her my reply.

"He's grovelling on the ground outside" I pulled my wrist sharply out of her hold then proceeded to walk up the stairs.

Servants seemed to be surprised that the lunch had ended so soon. I saw that Cardin had already even left the table.

As soon as I got to my room, I plopped down on my chair. I yawned lazily.

'Phew. That playdate is over'

I then turned my attention to Harper, who stood in front of me. Her head bowed in self reflection.

"Harper, why did you attack without my order?"

"Well, I was cleaning your window side, when I noticed Lord Belv shouting at you. I rushed downstairs in order to watch your back. Then I saw him dragging you. I had to spring into action!"

"I'm grateful for your loyalty, but next time, don't be so impulsive"

Harper looked like she wanted to say something. Instead, she bit back what she was about to say, and instead pouted.

"Fine, my lady"

My eyes scanned her maid uniform, which had gotten dirtied.

"If Henry saw you like this, he'd throw a fit. Not to talk about aunty Hazel. She already warned you not to get into anymore fights" I laughed

I changed the subject.

"His allergies haven't started yet"

"It seems so"

Ronald was allergic to seafood however I had specially ordered the servants to make seafood. He didn't seem to notice since he was so distracted by my diva drama.

Paisley being her airheaded self, didn't suspect a thing.

"Please, prepare me a bath, Harper" I tapped the place where Ronald and Paisley had held. "I've been dirtied"

"Yes, my lady" She bowed then went into the bathroom.

Leaning back in my chair, some thoughts ran through my mind.

In a matter of a few months, I'd be getting married to Nathan.

Why did I suggest it? Well, I'm not sure. Maybe it was because I wanted to attain the great power of being Empress.

Wanted to finally reveal my through wicked self to everyone, without being accountable to anything. Become a tyrant Empress who was obeyed by her husband.

All of this weren't any of the major reasons.

"Do you love me?" The question that Nathan had asked me, a few years ago, rang inside my head. 

Did I? I used to think so. Or maybe I didn't. Maybe I had always known that these feelings I labeled as love was attraction mixed in with a whole lot of possessiveness.

My palms clenched into a fist, then unclenched. One of my fingers tapped against the chairs armrest, in a rhythmic pattern.

Maybe, I wanted to get married to Nathan, because I wanted to finally settle down. Something I had been unable to do in my past life.

People's pasts, makes a person's future. In my case, my past made my behavior and habits. 

My past life, had made me who I am now. All the decisions and choices I made were as a result of my past life.

Maybe all the bitterness and resentment in my heart, followed me into this life. Or maybe, I had always been like this.

With my hand on my forehead, I sighed.

'After this bath, I need a strong drink'

***

The water in the bathtub, slowly flowed, filling it up.

As she gazed into the clear water, her reflection stared back at her. Her ordinary light brown hair, scattered around her face. Her dark black eyes, looking blank, conflicted with many thoughts.

As she saw Lord Belv dragging her lady, it reminded her of the time, the Marquis of the mansion, was dragging her mother. About to beat her up.

Back then, she had been a little child. Only ten years old. 

"Harper, get back!" Her mother had shouted when she tried to intervene.

Harper moved her hand to turn off the tap. Still staring at her reflection in the clear water, her lips morphed into a smile.

"Hah, my lady. I wish I could repay all you've done for me"

Harper chuckled to herself, as she recalled her childhood which had been filled with emptiness. Her childhood were she had a dark heart, filled with hatred.

But now she was at peace.

"I wish my lady, can also one day be happy" She said, to no one in particular.

Once upon a time, Harper had not been her bright and fierce self. 

Once upon a time, she had hated everyone in the Deor mansion.

Once upon a time, she had hated her mother.

Once upon a time, she had hated her twin brother, Henry.

Once upon a time, she had been filled with bitterness and resentment.