204 His Proposal
âCalista?â
Annaâs chocolate-brown eyes lit up at the very sight of Calista, and her whole face beamed with happiness. She could barely conceal the delight she was feeling at the current moment, seeing everyone she missed terribly stand in front of her, and she became breathless with joy.
The two ladies happily embraced themselves with a hug, looking like two long lost sisters that were being reunited after spending many years apart. Anna felt she was still dreaming, Calistaâs presence was just too unbelievable, but hugging her like this made it clear to Anna that this wasnât her fantasy world, but she was actually experiencing realityâs happiness.
Pulling back, Calista noticed the tears that were starting to well up in Annaâs eyes. She had completely forgotten just how emotional her Anna can really be. The young lady can easily summon tears like one could summon a servant.
âYou havenât changed at all Anna,â Calista began her teasing, âyouâre still more of a cry baby like I remember you to be.ân/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
âIâm not crying.â She denied, quickly wiping her tears away, âIâm just overwhelmed with everything thatâs happening, Iâm not crying at all...â smiling, she eagerly held Calistaâs hand, âbut how are you here? How did you know Iâm here?â
Seeing Calista here wasnât the shocking part, the shocking part is how she looks barely afraid to be amongst the demons she never wished to crosspath with. Obviously Roshan still has a score to settle with Euphrasia and might not be acquainted with any of the royal families.
So how is she here? And less bothered about standing before such intimidating demons like Roshan and Azazel.
Seeing the questions that glimmered in her eyes, Calista softly whispered, âItâs a story for another day.â
.....
Annaâs face went blank with her response, she wanted to hear it now and not later. Noticing Annaâs disapproving expression, Calista leaned forward to add, âremember how we used to chat a lot in the garden while eating berries back in Euphrasia, when you come to visit, Iâll tell you everything by then.â
At the mention of visit, Anna remembered that she was totally free to enter Euphrasia now, since Sir Arlow had confessed his crime and cleared her name of the guilt. And again, it was all thanks to Roshanâs doing.
âOh my!â Calista suddenly exclaimed, throwing Anna off guard and the young princessâs eyes widened in surprise.
âYour mark is gone!â
After spilling what had gotten her so shocked, Annaâs heart relaxed since it wasnât a cause for alarm and she nodded, feeling happy about it herself.
âYes, I didnât see it when I woke up.â She explained, and Calistaâs hand flew to her mouth to stop herself from screaming out in joy.
âThat mark was such a burden on you, I noticed something was different about you today and then the mark came into mind, you look great without having that mark on your forehead, forgive me but I despised it.â
âWe both did.â Anna corrected, knowing how many times she refused to look in the mirror when she was younger all to avoid letting her eyes fall on the silly mark.
Anna smiled but their conversation was cut short by Levi who chimed in with his presence, placing his hand around Annaâs shoulder and smiled in Calistaâs direction, showing off his gleaming white teeth.
âSorry to invade but some people are hungry for cakes, and I hope you donât mind me borrowing Anna for a minute.â
Calista giggled lightly at his cute approach and nodded, âof course.â
He bowed, âthank you princess.â
Taking Anna away, the excited human just followed him and as they stood behind the cake, Anna lovingly pulled at Leviâs cheeks as they ended up starting their own conversation, then Anna suddenly leaned in and whispered something into his ears that made his eyes brighten.
Unbeknownst to her, her extreme closeness with Levi was forming a storm cloud at the top of Roshanâs head. He just stood at a corner, watching them and when he noticed they werenât going to separate anytime soon, he walked towards both of them, gaining their attention as their gaze shifted to him.
From his stoic look, Levi could tell the man was nowhere happy as he stood before the both of them, Levi quickly tried to explain.
âRoshan see.... Anna and I were justââ
âSheâs my woman.â He interjected, surprising Anna and everyone that was present in the room.
âAnd I donât fancy your closeness.â
âHuh?â
âSeparate!â
Anna and Levi instantly shifted due to his commanding tone, keeping a good distance from one another. Although Roshan wasnât satisfied with the distance, he chose to let it be since Levi wouldnât make the same mistake of coming near his woman like that, except he wishes to go through the underground punishment for the second time.
Azazel, who sat in a corner, just shook his head without saying a word. If anyone asks, he has no idea who these people are.
âââ
When it clocked evening, Lady Odette remained seated in the dinning, having a cup of hot tea with Letitia by her side, and Gravion sitting opposite their table.
âHowâs the search going?â Letitia started the conversation, fixing her focused gaze on Gravion who shifted in his seat and sat straight.
âPoorly,â he commented, âLuderickâs hideout is difficult to find, we tried to see if we could locate him through his senses, but even his scent is hidden.â
âThe advantage of black magic.â Odette quickly analyzed, âIâm afraid that if he isnât caught soon, weâll be having bigger problems coming our way in the future.â
Letitia sighed, her forehead creased into a frown, âweâll focus more on figuring out where heâs hiding, but inform the soldiers not to strike quickly, heâs a foolish man but cunningly smart, weâll find out where heâs hiding, then plan on how to strike.â
âWell I_â Odette was about to make a suggestion when something up the stairs caught her eyes. Looking up, her eyes dilated drastically, seeing Anna stand beside Roshan up the stairs, hand in hand and the cup of tea she held loosened from her grip, falling to the ground and startling Letitia and Gravion.
âOdette?â
Letitia looked at her, and noticed how pale the face of Odette became, she looked dumbstruck from her expression and when Letitia followed her sight, she finally understood what had gotten Odette so flabbergasted with shock.
âAnna?!â She got to her feet at the sight of Annalise, who stood beside Roshan and Letitia shook her head, unable to believe what she was seeing.
Annaâs alive????
The maids were all peeping from different corners, murmuring to one another about the unbelievable sight before them, and they were hundred percent sure that Anna couldnât have faked her death, so how is she alive????
Going down the stairs, Azazel and the rest stood at the top of the stairs with a mischievous look on their faces, already excited to watch what would happen next as Roshan led Anna down the stairs and into the dining room.
Odette slowly rose to her feet, staring at Anna who was currently staring right back at her. She bowed slightly with a smile.
âGreetings.â
At first they all thought it was their illusion, but hearing her speak to all of them, even Gravion was at loss of words as all he could do was just stare.
âYouâre alive?â Odette asked, her gaze raking Anna from head to toe, but Roshan responded in her place.
âNot just alive, but sheâs alive and well.â
âHow did thisââ Letitia couldnât even complete her statement, it was impossible to bring back the dead so how on Earth is Anna standing before them?? How is she alive??
âThat isnât why I brought her down here, so save your questions for another day,â he silenced them, Anna who was feeling anxious about the gazes staring her way, suddenly felt her uneasiness dissipate when Roshan looked at her, â..I brought her here so that you all can be a witness to something.â
The servants who hid themselves in different corners, began to whisper to themselves after hearing the words Roshan had to say, and even Anna was confused by what he meant.
She felt her heart instantly flutter when he kissed her hand in front of everyone, leaving Odetteâs eyes to widen and the viewers from upstairs cleared their throats, looking away since Roshanâs intention can never be trusted.
âI want everyone to be a witness to what I have to say Anna, but Iâll admit that Iâm not good at all when it comes to pouring out emotions, neither am I good with the words, but what I do know is that I want to spend the rest of my life taking care of you and giving you all the love that you so desire.â
The sincerity in his eyes and the devotion in his words made Annaâs heart swell with joy, and he continued with the same loving tone that sent her skin tingling with delight, âto be honest I never expected you, but who knew Iâd one day find it difficult to let you walk away from me.â
He took a deep breath, âYouâve always been the source of my joy, and my greatest support when I needed one. Youâre my life Anna, and these days I got to spend without you made me realize how deeply in love Iâve fallen with you.â
At this point, Anna could no longer breathe, but all of a sudden, her brows narrowed when she watched Roshan go on his knees before everyone, and to her biggest surprise of the day, he brought out a beautiful golden colored ring and held it up for her to see.
âI know Iâm not perfect, I can be intolerable but Iâll see to it that you remain happy with me, and Iâll try my best to be a better man worth deserving you. I need you to tolerate me for the rest of your life. Like I said, Iâm not good with these kinds of proposals but what matters is that I love you Anna, so will you make me the happiest person alive and say yes to marrying me?â
Several surprised gasps could be heard and Annaâs eyes instantly went round in obvious shock, the bewilderment displayed in her eyes and she lost the ability to speak.
Lady Odette and Letitiaâs face drained of all colors at the unexpected proposal.