Chapter 194
Nyssa pov
The entire room shrouded in tension instantly, silence falling as everyone drew in a shaky breath.
He was furious.
His eyes burned with rage, no doubt because he had confirmed it–this was exactly how Liana used to make the food. I knew he was beyond confused and enraged, unable to understand how I’d gotten it so perfectly.
Fine, I understood that. But that didn’t mean he had to drag me like this.
My glare snapped to his, even as his grip on my dress tightened, his murderous eyes screaming that he wanted nothing more than to rip my head off. Too bad for him, I wasn’t backing down. And before I could stop myself, the words flew out.
“What does it look like I’m doing? I cooked you food, and after eating half of it, you throw it away and try to strangle me? Are you insane?”
Gasps of disbelief rippled through the room as everyone’s gaze pinned on me, but I refused to flinch. Not even when Darius’s aura flared, heavy and suffocating.
“If you didn’t like what I cooked, you should’ve said it like a normal human being instead of yanking me around like this, my king. This is cruel.”
My voice cut through the silence, firm and unshaken, and his gaze narrowed even more. His lips parted, his hiss low and sharp.
“Everyone. Out.”
Cassian and Drake immediately bowed, their murmurs echoing.
“Yes, my king.”
But Serena hesitated, her voice trembling as she spoke.
“B–but, my lady-”
“Don’t.” Cassian’s voice cut her off, pulling her away before she could push Darius further. “Let’s leave.”
Still, Serena resisted, her eyes wide on me, until I finally spoke without breaking my stare from Darius.
“It’s okay, Serena. You can leave. I’m fine.”
I grinned as I said it, never once looking away from him. Serena wanted to protest, but Cassian pulled her out, and the door clicked shut behind them.
The moment the door shut, silence deepened.
I smiled at him, even as his fury thickened the air until it was almost suffocating.
But instead of calming, it only seemed to make him angrier. His jaw tightened, his voice strained, yet cutting straight to the point.
“This…” He bit the word out, pausing as if holding himself back. “How did you know this was my favorite meal? And how did you learn to make it like-”
He stopped, unable to finish, but I did it for him.
“Like Liana?”
His jaw clenched hard at the sound of her name, but I didn’t falter. I wasn’t going to back away this time. I would tell him the truth. That I was Liana.
“Did it taste exactly like how she used to make it? That slightly too–salty bite?” I asked softly, a low chuckle slipping out as the memory washed over me.
“The one you eventually grew to love, even though you hated it the first time?”
I could still see it clearly, the very first time I cooked for him. The way his face had twisted at the saltiness, but how he’d lied through his teeth, insisting he loved it as he finished every last bite. I had known even then that he wasn’t telling the truth. But when I saw his face light up, that rare, genuine smile after a long day of carrying the weight of being king… I couldn’t bring myself to change it.
I’d learned more, practiced harder, and I’d gotten better at cooking. But for that dish, creamy potato salad with bacon, he had told me not to change a thing.
“I can remember that day like it was yesterday. You told me you liked it just the way it was, slightly salty, special only when I made it. I still can’t believe you remembered the taste after all these years.”
I smiled at the thought, my chest fluttering.
“What-” Darius gasped, shock flashing across his face. “How did you know? How-”
His grip on my shirt slackened, but I didn’t move away. I stood my ground, swallowing hard before I spoke.
“That isn’t the only thing I know, Darius. I know everything about you, everything from when Liana was alive.” My voice softened, steady. “I know you weren’t like this. You were kinder, gentler. You smiled more. You loved reading. Sometimes you’d sneak away to the garden with Liana when you didn’t want anyone to find you. You’d rest your head on her lap, reading aloud as you talked about the books you loved.”
I drew in a shaky breath, my eyes never leaving his.
“I remember a man who was simple at heart, who laughed at the smallest things, who tried to make everyone else happy. A king who ruled with care for his people… and never once cared for himself.”
With each word I spoke, his eyes widened, but I didn’t stop.
“You would always say you felt guilty the goddess hadn’t chosen your brother as king, that you had to do everything to make him proud, even though he treated you so cruelly for becoming what he wanted to be.
8:37 Sat, Sep 20 d.
Chapter 194
But the truth is… you never wanted that position, Darius.”
My lips trembled, my voice breaking as the memories weighed on me.
“The stress, the guilt… everything you had carried inside.”
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Before I even realized it, my hand reached out, brushing his cheek softly as I leaned closer, close enough to feel his breath.
“I remember how you used to touch Liana’s belly with a warm smile, telling her how much you would love your unborn child, how you would give it everything… even the whole world. But it wasn’t possible, was it? Everything fell apart because of him. You lost your mate, your child, everything you cherished, in one single night…”
Tears spilled down my cheeks as Darius stared at me like he was in a trance.
“And I… I remember the last words she said to you that night. She apologized, I apologized for leaving too soon, for the pain I knew it would cause you.”
My voice shook, the words catching in my throat.
This time, Darius couldn’t stop himself. His voice broke as he choked out,
“What do you mean by you… Don’t tell me you are-”
His words faltered, and I nodded, a fragile smile blooming through the tears.
“Yes, Darius… yes. I am Liana.”
