[Do you want a live feed of Nero and Justine?  Yes/No]

Raine opened her eyes when the message popped up in her mind.  Her eyes fell onto the see through screen in front of her and the question blinked repeatedly.  She had gone back to cultivate after seeing the recording of Celine and Justine, not caring for it, however now that her Scam System was bothering her it must mean that something is going on.  

“Yes.”  Raine said as she watched the live stream.  

“It’s been a long time that we met up with each other again.”  Justine said as she slowly walked beside Nero in the garden. “You’ve changed a lot.”  

“With time, people change and grow up.  It is only natural. If you stay the same, the world we live in will swallow you whole.”  Nero said.

Nero and Justine stood not too close nor not too far from each other.  Nero had his hands behind his back as they walked, while Justine held an umbrella over her head to block the sunshine from her face.  The summer heat was not too hot due to the soft breeze, even with the sun shining brightly on them.

“Yes, well, even with time, there are some things that will never change or waver.”  Justine said as they made a detour from the pathway and to the side of the man made lake, where there was a swing.  This was her favorite place, because she and Nero spent the most time here together, when they were children.

When they reached the lake, Justine turned to Nero.  She had gathered all of her courage to speak to him about their marriage and her feelings.

“Nero, I came here today with the intention of speaking with you about our marriage.  For the longest time, you and me have been betrothed to each other by our parents… and I have waited for you, until you were ready to get married.  Now that you have a concubine, my family and your family think it is time that you and I get married. I have come to terms that you have another woman by your side and I am willing to share you with her.  My only hope is that you do not disrespect me as your legal wife because of your concubine and spend equal amount of time with the both of us. Only this way, our family will have peace, harmony and have no jealousy or scheming against one another.”  

When Nero did not speak, she began speaking her feelings and hopes that it reaches him.  

“Since we were small, I never knew that us spending time together were our parents setting us up together for marriage.  I just really liked playing with you and spending time with you. It was only later when we grew up that the feelings I have towards you were feelings of love and affection.  When I had to move away due to Father’s job, it broke my heart to leave you, because I could no longer see you as often as I wanted to. But I knew that one day we would be together as husband and wife, so I waited.  I love you, Nero. I’ve always loved you. Please accept me as your wife.”

When her plea was answered back with silence, she bent her head down to look at the lake.  Her heart beated wildly with fear and anticipation.

“I have long known about our engagement since I was a child.”  Nero confessed after a long time. “And I have long gone against it since the beginning.  I was always vocal to my parents and to your parents about my displeasure of this engagement.  I have always treated you well, because I’ve always saw you as a little sister. When your family moved away, it was as if I could finally breathe for the first time since I met you.  If my treating you well, gave you the impression that I liked you or gave you hope that there could be more between us, then I apologize. Between you and me, we have no fate together as husband and wife.”  

Justine’s heart dropped at Nero’s words and tears began to flow freely down her face.  She silently cried and listen to Nero’s words as they shattered her heart into dust.

“Even though you might be alright with sharing your husband.  My Nyx does not like sharing. Even though you can be alright with another woman standing by your husband’s side.  My Nyx does not like it so I will not do anything to make her displeased. There will be peace and harmony in my home, because there will not be another woman.  There would be no need for jealousy or schemes, because there will only be Nyx. She does not like dirt in her eyes, so I will do anything to ensure that not let even a speck of dust touch her eyes.  I am sorry Justine, but I cannot accept you and will not accept a marriage with you. Nyx and I will grow old together as husband and wife.”

“Nero…”  Justine whispered.  

“I personally visited your home today and spoke with your father.  I told him my thoughts, feelings as well as my decision not to go through with the marriage.  I also spoke with my father before meeting mother and you for lunch. Your father has already accepted the gift of appeasement that I brought to him to end the engagement.  From today forward, there is no connection between you and me. Do not waste your time, energy and love on me anymore. Go find a new love and happiness.”

Nero turned around and walked away without another word.  Justine quickly realized that Nero left and her dreams of being his wife shattered, just like her heart.  Justine ran immediately hugged Nero from behind, hugging him and burying her head against his back.

“Please don’t go.”  Justine cried. “Please tell me the words you just said was a joke.  Don’t leave me. Please…. I loved you for so long… Don’t go…”

Nero pried her hands away from his waist and released himself from her clasp.  

“I have never loved you the way a man loves a woman.  I have never looked at you the way a man looks at a woman.  I have never treated you like a man treats a woman he’s interested in.  Do not waste anymore time with your fantasies of love with me. My heart, my body and my soul belongs to Nyx.”  

Nero then picked up his pace and left Justine behind, crying tears of heartbreak as she watched his back became further and further away from her.  Never once did he look back at her.