[Janet is very moody in this chapter, so it's completely okay if you feel annoyed by her ;) ]

It somewhat looked like he wanted to ask me more questions. His eyes contained so many emotions that I could not interpret. And I didn't want to. I could never give answers to somebody without knowing the answer myself. And for that, I must investigate and learn about this place more.

That was not a normal court and Arthur was not a normal person.

Something was wrong. Or there was something I did not know. There's a huge gap in my knowledge in the past 17 years. Which might be known to all, except me. And I was gonna find out that.

"Hey!"

I heard a familiar voice and felt someone hugging me.

"Good evening, Anissa!" I smiled and turned back slowly removing her arms off my shoulder. Let's just say, I was not at all comfortable with those things... her eyes widened a bit then she grinned.

"I get it. Are you not comfortable with hugs?"

"I'm good with Mom and Dad." I replied.

"That's good to know," Anissa said. "Family lovers are very less here, I bet you have seen."

Is she talking about Arthur?

"I don't understand..." I said, still not being sure.

"Oh, you will... someday. Wanna grab coffee?" She smiled taking my hand in hers.

"I have practice, I'm sorry..." I gave her an apologetic smile and slowly removed my hands from her.

"Oh! Right, I totally forgot." Anissa said, this time a little upset.

"I'm sorry, Anissa. Probably next time."

I walked away from that place. I didn't know why I was feeling suffocated there, and why didn't I like her proximity. She was sweet and all, but my mind was not okay with these kinds of situation, and I really wanted to be alone. The confession made by Arthur was killing me with curiosity. Only that time, he was drunk... he'd never tell me anything being sober.

I entered the washroom to wash my face, and to clear all the thoughts that were building their houses on my mind. That's when I saw Wren coming out of the bathroom. She gave me a look that contained fury, sadness, jealousy, care... and maybe many more which I couldn't understand. but that look was ephemeral. She turned away to leave when I pulled her by her arm.

"Wren, I have something to ask." I coldly said.

"Ouch! Let go of my hand!" Wren shouted.

Primarily, I thought she hated me that's why, but looking down at her hand I saw what made her scream. The wound was still fresh which was made by Anissa's nails and brutal handlings. I didn't know why I felt sad for her, as if she was seeking shelter and I was the only one who could give her that.

"I'm sorry..." I spoke.

She first looked at me strangely then cackled like a maniac, "Sorry? What are 'you' sorry for?"

She emphasized the word 'you' which didn't go unnoticed by me.

"What do you mean?" I asked her perplexed by her behavior.

"Nothing, never mind. Just don't let your guard down easily. Just know, I didn't try to kill you or drug you, I have no intentions to, and I'll not benefit by any means... as you already saw what my condition is."

"If you really don't have any intentions, then why were you being mean to me on the first day?"

"Your curiosity is impressible, hold that for the future upcoming. I'd love to see how this ends." She smirked.

Her last sentence made me shiver as if she was the Maleficent of the story of Sleeping Beauty. But I knew, even Maleficent had a past that made her that way.

⭑⁎꙳⭒☪⭒꙳⁎⭑

When I reached the door of the court nobody was there. The keyring jingled in my fingers as I fumbled to find the right key when right behind me Arthur came.

"How are you?" His eyes shone in the dark as rare jewels shine in the morning light.

"At minding my own business? So much better than most people." I was still mad at him for making me embarrassed so many times.

"Well, if you ask me... I am still sucking...air, that's it." He pouted. And I was not in the mood to let my heart flutter.

"Well, nobody asked you." I finally opened the door and got inside.

"How rude!" He grinned turning all the lights and fans on.

I kept the key on the table and looked at the time on my mobile.

"You know Janet-" He started very enthusiastically but stopped short which made me befuddled.

"Well...?" I asked wanting him to continue, but he didn't say a word and started coming closer to me.

"What the heck are you doing?"

"Move." He ordered.

"What?"

"Step aside!" His raising voice made me flinch. Right, I still did not know him and about his mood swings. I stepped aside when I saw him taking the key ring in his hands and looking at it critically.

"What? It's mine!" I said being annoyed. I had no time for this.

"Who gave it to you?" His voice was suddenly low which made me regret the thought of coming here alone.

"Well... my uncle."

"Liar! It's... it's Eva's!" He croaked and whispered the name in a hushed tone which made almost impossible for me to hear what he said. His voice was full of emotions when he tightly kept the ring in his fist and took it near his chest.

I didn't know what came over me as I snatched it from his hands and hid it behind my back.

"It's mine! Don't you dare call my thing as others' that too when my uncle gave it to me! I don't know who the hell are you talking about!"

My cheeks flushed in jealousy at the thought of the ring to be of someone else, when it's given by my uncle. I was possessive yes, but only for him.

He said no other word as he stormed out of the courtroom like a madman, and I kept thinking about what just happened.

I shouldn't have been that rude, damn!

⭑⁎꙳⭒☪⭒꙳⁎⭑

THRASH!

I threw the shuttle back with a loud thud, and this time I was focused. More than ever. I had to win, I had to find all the reasons behind those happenings.

"Today's practice was very good, Janet." The coach patted my back.

I tipped my hat to him.

"Thank you, sir!" I grinned.

"Today you're in form... you had been a little gloomy these days." He chuckled.

"Yeah... a lot happened." I sighed.

"A lot? What happened?" He seemed concerned.

"Ah! Let me tell you later on when you'll be free, now it seems that the pupils need you."

"Oh! Yes, but listen to me very carefully, I don't know what happened, but I wanna make one thing sure. Please promise me that you'll be safe." He looked at me alarmingly.

"What?... I mean how can I promise you that?" I asked confused and also amused by his care towards me.

"I already lost her; I cannot afford to lose such a talented soul again." His voice broke and a ghostly pallor fell over his face.

"Who?" But by the time I asked he was already walking away. I kept looking at him, trying to understand the meaning and reason behind his words then, my eyes caught something.

€VΔ 𝖊𝖘𝖙 𝖑à

...

I don't know anything about the update...🙃

Let's see how this ends.

And guys please don't forget to put the comments and healthy criticism are always welcomed! ;)

Anyway... Thanks for reading! ♡