Chapter 213 - Good

"Thank you,"Persephone whispered once they were seated at their table. "I couldn't imagine the consequence of our baby being a daughter in my womb. Santiago, I would never want our child to be stuck in a marriage alliance. No matter how much wealth one is offering , you aren't allowed to accept it." 

"Of course, Red, "Santiago murmured, kissing her knuckle. He had seen Persephone suffering because of one marriage alliance. 

His baby had yet to come into this world and people were already scheming? 

It didn't matter if his baby was a boy or girl. He would protect either of them with every fibre of his being. 

"I need to go to the restroom,"Persephone said. At this stage of pregnancy, she need to visit washroom frequently. 

"I will assist you, "Santiago said, helping her stand up. 

Although the palace was the safest place in this whole country, he still would feel restless without him by her side. 

"No, "Persephone shook her head and whispered. "You keep an eye on this crazy king.Lord knows what wicked plans he is creating in his head. I hope I never see him again." 

Suddenly , Santiago burst into laughter. "Oh, baby. You never liked him." 

However, she didn't pay any attention to his words. 

Persephone was muttering curses under her breath as she came out of the washroom. How dare this king take advantage of her husband's generosity? 

While muttering to herself, she forgot the way back to the ballroom and walked to the other side. But she felt as if she had walked down this path before. 

Giselle was calming her nerves by smoking when she saw Persephone deep in thought coming her way. 

Since she was standing behind the pillar, Persephone hadn't seen her yet. She let out a chuckle when she heard those innovative curses. King Leonardo still couldn't make her like him. 

Only if Persephone knew the affection he had for her. 

"It's you, "Persephone murmured when she saw Giselle stubbing the cigarette. she recognised this exceptionally beautiful woman as King's fiance. 

"Nice to meet you again, Percy," Giselle said with a wide smile. She shouldn't like this troublesome woman but damn she loved this adorable and chubby version of Persephone. 

How could someone not like such a cute woman? 

If she could, she would love to pinch her cheeks. 

"You know me?" Persephone asked with a shocked expression. 

Giselle chuckled and nodded her head. She now understood why Persephone was looking at her as if she was seeing a stranger. 

Persephone didn't rembered her at all. She wondered how did she lost her memories. 

"How could I forget you?" Giselle said with a sigh. "Tell me, how was the journey from being a captor to a wife?"

Persephone frowned. She understood that Giselle knew more about her story than her. 

"Heartbreaking," Persephone said without lying. "But I never felt more alive than now." 

"Villain is a charmer," Giselle said with a smile. "It's really good to see you again, Percy. I didn't think I would see you again." 

"What's your name?" Persephone inquired as she let her guard down in her presence. 

"Giselle. But you used to call me Gissy," Giselle said. "I heard the Scuderi family nearly extinct back in New York." 

Persephone looked at her clearly this time. Under the yellow light, she could see Giselle's brown eyes filled with indescribable pain. "Yes. Only Nicolas and Ginevra survived. He is now married to my younger sister." 

"Did they have a painful death?" Giselle asked suddenly. 

"A humiliating one," Persephone answered with straight face. 

"Good," Giselle suddenly smiled. She literally felt good hearing about that news. 

"Gissy?" Persephone called out her name in a bit of familiarity this time. 

"Hmm?" Giselle looked at her with calm eyes. 

"Why do I have a feeling that you don't belong here? You don't want a part of this lavish life. You are caged even under open sky," Persephone whispered. Why was she looking past herself in Giselle? 

"Perhaps, I'm," Giselle said, looking at the vast garden before her eyes. She was going to be a queen. And she doesn't feel an ounce of excitement or happiness. "You are very lucky, Percy. You found freedom after all. In Santiago. I can see he loves you a lot. You were always very special to him. It was a shame it took him a while to realise it. If he had known it from the beginning, he could have saved you from heartache. Then again, without heartache, you won't know the significance a person or a relationship holds in your life." 

"Why are you telling me this, Giselle?" Persephone asked her. Her words were deep. A way too much deep for a woman who was going to be the most powerful woman of this land. 

"Because I want you to protect what you have found. Don't look at your life with the lens of good or bad. Just accept it if it's what you want," Giselle told her. "You are lucky, Percy. You found what you wanted. Not many know what they want much less than attain it. " 

Persephone smiled but didn't say anything. Her heart was beating faster in her ribcage. She wanted to leave. She made him uncomfortable. 

"He won't stop until he makes Santiago agree to the marriage alliance," Giselle said after a while. "Dark horses are those allies he would never wish to lose. They are burdened by his benevolence. But you aren't. If you don't want your children to be dragged in palace politics, keep them away from politics and power. Don't let him near your children." Looking at her belly, she added,"This one might be a son. What about the next?"

Giselle wasn't just saving Persephone's children from King Leonardo but hers too. 

Bea hated her yet she couldn't help but want to protect her from any marriage alliance she didn't want. 

... 

Author Note: Kindly Vote for 'The Kiss of deception" Help me win this WPC!!