Chapter 159: Love or Money

"So, Melanie what is your decision?" Severus asked loudly after separating himself from her.

Marquis observed everything. He saw confusion in Melanie's eyes and cursed his luck. 'This idiot is still in love with her so why was it hard for her to kill him again. I think I need to assist her'. Secretly Marquis took out a tiny dagger. While Severus was waiting for an answer Marquis signaled Melanie to take a dagger from him. Since Severus' back was facing Marquis, he couldn't actually see what was happening between Marquis and Melanie, but Meanie understood what Marquis wanted from her. Immediately Marquis threw his dagger toward Melanie. She accurately caught it and pointed it at his neck. Everything happened so quickly that everyone was dumbfounded. 

Severus felt betrayed. "Melanie you….?"

Tears rolled down her cheeks. "I am sorry Severus, but I don't want Maverick to die. I also don't want you to die. I can't live without you Severs but I can't let Maverick be killed. Please can we end this all? We were friends since childhood so why can't it be the same now? You, me, Maverick, we all can live happily. Can't we?"

"Not happening."

Both Severus and Maverick said simultaneously.

Melanie felt lost for words.

"What are you waiting for Melanie? Just kill him already so we can save Maverick." Marquis encouraged her. It's not like this is your first time so why the heck are you hesitating? Your useless wench" He started cursing her.

"SHUT UP" She screamed.

"Just stop it, Marquis."

"Who do you think you are? Everything is happening because of you. You're the real culprit and if there is someone who deserves to die then it is you. Why don't you kill yourself? It was you who made Severus, Maverick shadow knight because of his healing destiny in his blood. You are nothing but a selfish bastard. You were aware that Severus blood had a healing component in them which can help to prolong Maverick life as well as can help to break Maverick curse, so you appointed him as his shadow knight however, he was also Cynthia's son, the woman who you failed to conquer so you vented all your anger and frustration on him. Earlier you wanted to kill Severus the instant you found out about him but, the lord of Onyx told you about his magical destiny thus you spared his life. Didn't you? Later you made him your lap dog, so he won't ever rebel against you. On his face, you sweetly told him and behaved as his father but behind his back, you instructed people to be savage with him. Humiliate him, shame him, scold him, and whatnot. It was you why Severus failed discrimination. Although I understand a normal person can't enjoy the same privileges as the crown prince, but you didn't even let Severus his human rights. You made him your doll. I don't know but you brainwashed him completely to follow your orders. Everything went according to your plan but as they both started growing up, you saw Maverick and Severus being friendly to each other. You felt alarmed because of Maverick's health. God forbid if anything ever happened to Maverick then the next suitable candidate for the throne would be Severus. Although he was not your real son but the fact that he was the son of Cynthia, was enough for everyone to accept this outcome so to prevent anything like this to happen you brought me here. I really appreciate how fast your mind works. What could be better than to use a girl as bait between two men. You used me since I was a child. You asked me to tell them that my parents died, and I was an orphan. I don't know how much you paid my father but after I came here, I never went back to my home. You will never understand how pathetic I felt. I was just a kid when I had to leave everything and settle in an unknown place. As we grew, we started falling in love. Maverick fell for me whereas I …." She paused momentarily.

"I fell in love with Severus" It took her everything to say when she confessed. "You were a keen observer. You accurately caught our feelings for each other. You intentionally paired me with Maverick. First, he was in love with me, second, you wanted to torture Severus but what about me? What about my feelings, my heart, my wishes? No one ever cared for it except Severus. Later you announced me as Maverick's fiancée. From that day Severus and I got separated. He started avoiding me. I could feel it. Although I felt heartbroken and sad but at that time, I wasn't able to catch my true feelings for him. Maverick was just outstanding. He was the crown prince of such a huge kingdom and was also very handsome. He cared for me and made me feel special, even fell for me. What more can I ask? I was blessed with his love. I thought that being with Maverik was a wise option so decided to go with your arrangements still, my heart always cared for Severus. I started initiating short conversations with him but avoided me every time. Later you created several circumstances where I had to choose between Severus and Marquis. Of course, I had to choose him since I was going to be Maverick's fiancé. Every time I choose Maverick, something inside Severus would crumble. I could feel it, but I was helpless against you. It is impossible for me to remember how many days or weeks went by, this way. Time just passes, and it rolls quickly. Soon we all grew up. Your schemes turned more and more sinister while Maverick health started getting better and better. It was all thanks to Severus. That night it was you who staged everything. It was you who asked me to kill Severus."

"It was you."

"Why?"

"You threatened me to snatch everything from me."

"How could you be so heartless? We all lived with you for years, but you never developed any emotion for us. Why? A human even starts having affection for an animal if he lives with it for a few days. For god's sake, we spent our entire childhood with you so why didn't you have any affection for any of us? Forget about us, you didn't even have any affection for your own son. That night before my engagement with maverick, you asked me to personally meet you. There you threatened me to either kill Severus or die myself with my entire family. I denied it but then you threatened me with Maverick. You said you will kill him and pin all the blame on me. I was aware that you were not joking at that time. I was mortified. I was aware of what happened to Severus. He was just an innocent kid of the woman who cursed the crown prince, still, he was accused of everything. He was always picked on by everyone. I knew it if you said then you could do it. I was not sure why I believe that you will kill your own son but something about you is sinister. It tells me that for your own benefits you won't spare even your own child."

Clink!

Dagger slipped from her hands.

"You idiot what nonsense are you spouting from your foul mouth? You are nothing but a whore who toys with their feelings. Do not even think to feed me that crap of friendship and all. If I am not wrong, then tell me why did you drag Severus into your room just before your marriage ceremony started? You did not even let your maids inside. Is this how a woman should conduct, specifically an engaged woman? You were nothing but a selfish piece of trash. Who are you to bad mouth me when you yourself became a slut? Enjoying nights with my son, while continuing to have fun with this traitor" He again pointed at Severus.

Melanie was lost for words. Everything that Marquis said was true but the way he told it was off. In her defense, she blurted out. "I was confused. My heart was in chaos."

"Why?"

"I don't know why?" Melanie replied in between her sobs.

"Let me tell you why. Because Melanie you are a selfish woman. You are egoistic, self-centered, and a greedy woman. You lusted over Severus' face and while you had your eyes on the empress position. You were not confused between friendship and love but between Love and money. I do not blame you for choosing money over your so-called love but then it was greedy of you to think you can have both. Am I right?"

Stop it.

"No, you are a liar."

Melanie shrieked. She felt terrified when she was exposed so openly. 

"Is it true?" Maverick who was laying on the ground asked weakely.