This will be a little different. It's going to be from a girl's point of view as she meets Gabriel.

It's also a bit longer than my other chapters since it is only one part, I am trying to fit it all into this one part so enjoy!

A special shoutout to my top supporters throughout this story:

SylviaAlaniz, janukriya, everinnes, SangXiang, leahshellman, @sajjadazam55

I see how you're always the first to vote and comment so thank you!

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Akira's POV

There was something familiar about the guard in the market. He looked a lot like someone I would never forget. I stalked nearer trying to get the name of the guard. The market people seemed to like him, their smiles and greetings were genuine.

An old woman had given him a basket from her bakery as he handed her some coins. She shook his hands, her eyes twinkling in admiration. He thanked her before continuing further on collecting more food from other vendors. I made my way to the baker curiously.

"Excuse me ma'am," I cleared my throat. She gave me a warm welcoming smile.

"Hello my dear, how may I help you?" She asked kindly.

"Just curious, I saw a young guard buying a basket of bread from you. I was wondering what his name was?" I asked.

The old woman laughed shaking her head. "Handsome isn't he? Would make a fine husband."

She winked my way. I turned red realizing what the old woman was insinuating. I was not going to lie, he was very good looking. With hair as dark as the night sky and eyes as blue as the evening sky. There something almost pure about his face that made him warm up to you.

Noticing that I was not going to answer, the old woman continued. "He does not give his name but I know who he is. I've seen him with his parents. He is the son of Captain Dorian and Lady Vizier Liana. You could only imagine what those two could produce as children. Great boy he is."

Captain Dorian...

My hunch was right.

The guard was the son of the man that killed my father.

I hurried along waiting for the guard to get secluded. I needed him to be alone. He needed to be alone when I killed him.

I followed him as he left the market and entered the least fortunate side of town. I could probably get him there, that place was crawling with criminals. Anyone could take the blame. However, it was weird that the guard was in this side of town. He either had a death wish or was part of something illegal. Curious as to what he was up to, I decided to postpone killing him a little while to find out.

No one seemed to be giving him a second look, he seemed to be a usual in this part of town. I followed him as he turned the corner and walked down an alley way to an abandoned homeless corner. Heads shot up as he entered and smiles broke out. He went from one homeless person to another handing out all the food he had bought. Why... why would he spend so much money and waste it on the homeless?

Finishing handing out food and checking on the homeless he turned back to where I was standing. I quickly hid behind the garbage piles closing my nose so that he would not notice me. Once he had passed I finally emerged from behind the stench and continued to follow him. He made his way to the edge of the town where a group of kids were playing with a ball. Upon realizing him, they all ran towards him yelling his name. "Gabriel!"

So that was his name.. Gabriel.

The kids hugged him, none reaching above his chest. He hugged them back greeting them all by name.

"What do you want to learn today?" He asked them. I was surprised by how sweet his voice sounded. He taught them? Only the wealthy were educated. Why would he teach the less fortunate?

One little girl raised her hand. "Reading. Please, please!"

The little boy beside her scrunched his nose in disapproval. "No, I want to learn swords today."

Another boy disagreed. "No I want to do math!"

Everyone began arguing before Gabriel let out a rich laugh and raising his hand to silence the children. "Now kids, what did I tell you about fighting?"

They all looked down embarrassed before mumbling under their breath. "Positive acts leads to a positive life and negative acts lead to negative outcomes."

That was deep but it was also a lie. Sometimes a little negative can make the world a better place. Like getting rid of Dorian. I knew I couldn't reach him in the castle, but what better way to make him feel my pain then to show him how it felt like to have someone you love taken away from you. I have waited years to make him feel my pain, now I have been given the opportunity. The universe was smiling down at me.

"So that means?" He asked again.

A young boy put up his hand to which Gabriel pointed to. "To be kind to others and never hurt anyone else, no matter how big or small."

"Good Job Zachariah," Gabriel smiled a glorious smile. I sucked in a breath at how beautiful he was. It was a shame that he had to die.

Gabriel then split the children into two groups and taught one half the intellectual things and the other half the hands on things. He then let the two groups teach other what they've learned before he continued on his way.

He now left the town and was walking along a strong coursing river. There was not a person in sight. I pulled out a long dagger from my side clenching it tightly. Something stirred inside me... It was a shame. He seemed like such a good person. Perfect even. That had to be impossible. A person cannot be as pure as he acted to be. I needed to see him do one mistake. One mistake and I will slit his throat.

Suddenly, Gabriel jumped into the river making his way towards something furry. He wrapped his arm around it before struggling to swim back to the edge of the river to get out. It was a dog. Why would he save a dog's life? It was not even human. He did not have risk his life in such a strong river to save such a small life. No one was watching him. He could have left it and no one would have known.

The dog shook the water off his fur before licking Gabriel in sloppy kisses. The guard only laughed scratching the dog behind his ears.

I needed to catch one mistake on him. One mistake...

Suddenly, an idea popped into my head. I ran the dagger along my arm enough to draw blood and ripped the hem of my skirt.

I came running from between the trees towards him. "Help! Help!"

His head shot towards me, worry etched on his face. He met met half way, the dog trailing after him. "What is wrong?"

He was even more beautiful up close. Pity.

"Thank god I found you, the towns people told me they had seen a guard come down this path," I said pretending to be out of breath.

"Slow down," Gabriel put out his hand trying to get me to regulate my breathing. "Let me know what is the matter so that I may assist you."

"My-my house-- thief!" I pretended to stutter.

His eyebrows furrowed. "Show me where."

I lead him back to my house as the dog continued to follow him. My house used to be wonderful, it was all put together just fine, my mom always on top of her duties with food on the table and dust off the floors. My father always kept it maintained with fixing anything that needed fixing. Now it was a mess. The roof leaked in a few spots, the few loose boards on the ground, and the dead grass outside. I use to love gardening with my father, but after he passed I have never picked up a watering can.

Gabriel looked around house for the intruder. Not once did I see him scrunch up his nose in disgust. One mistake. I needed one mistake.

He finished a round around the house before doing another one. He finally came up to me with a frown. "I am sorry, he seems to have fled. Do you know what he looks like? Maybe I can try finding him? As well as anything he might have stolen? We can try relocating them in the market."

It was almost infuriating as to how perfect he was. Couldn't he be like a normal human and be a bit mean?

Just one mistake.

I shook my head. "No, I am afraid not. Fear just took over and I turned blind."

Gabriel shook his head sympathetically. "I understand. If you do remember then please let a patrolling guard know."

He was about to leave. I needed to stop him!

"Wait!" I called out. He turned around with a curious expression. He probably assumed I remembered something. Think of something... think! "Can you stay the night?"

His eyes widened in shock and his ears turned red. Oh god, I did not mean it that way. "Both my parents have passed and I have no siblings of my own. I am scared to be here by myself in case he comes back. I do not know anyone else to ask such a favour, please."

I tried to keep up my scared act waiting for the guard to break. With a defeated sigh, he nodded his head. "Very well."

Now, let's see if his manly urges will be his one mistake.

"I will stay and guard outside, please do not worry about my being here. I am a gentleman I will not hurt you," he promised.

Damn it!

Stop being so good!

Forcing a smile I turned to make my way to the kitchen before he stopped me.

"Excuse me ma'am, but do you mind if I wrap your arm?" he asked. I turned to find him looking at the scratch on my arm. Great, he even like to heal others. Anything else to add on to your list of perfect qualities?

"It's fine, I can take care of myself," I said. I have been doing it for years now. But then again, Gabriel was here to 'protect' me. "I mean, I am used to treating my own wounds."

Even though he still looked worried, Gabriel nodded his head before heading outside.

After treating my arm, I head to the kitchen. Okay... let's see how far his nice guy act was going to last.

I went to the kitchen and made a pot of porridge. In Gabriel's bowl, I filled it with a lot of salt. No one can be happy with a ruined meal. I brought both bowls outside along with one for the dog that refused to leave Gabriel.

"I made you something to eat," I gave him the bowl. Gabriel looked shocked as he took the bowl from me.

"Thank you," he answered genuinely. It seemed like for a guy that gave a lot, he was not used to receiving.

I placed a bowl in front of the dog who barked excitedly before digging in quickly. I guess it was really hungry.

Gabriel had still not taken a bite. He seemed to be waiting for me to join him. Of course, even more the gentleman.

I raised my bowl in a silent cheers as Gabriel did the same. I watched him take the first bite waiting for him to spit it out. His eyes widened before he forced a smile and swallowed. "Thank you, it's delicious."

Liar! I should kill him for being a liar! That had to be a mistake.

"It's a bit salty isn't it? I was never the best cook," I tried getting him to admit.

He gave me a comforting smile in return. "Do not worry, we learn from our mistakes until we are the best we can be. If this is the best you can be then congratulations for making it this far, you should be proud. If you still feel like you can push to be better than I wish you good luck and have high hopes for you."

I had to physically stop my jaw from falling. Was he serious? If I was in his position I would straight up tell it was disgusting, not continue eating it with a smile as Gabriel was doing. He finished his bowl thanking me again for my hospitality. He couldn't be real. This all had to be an act.

I stared at the dog that kept forcing itself in impossible situations between Gabriel's legs and arms trying to get his attention.

"Are you going to keep it?" I asked.

He looked at the dog with a warm expression. "I think so. She looks like she could use a friend."

So it was a she.

"What are you going to name her?" I asked curiously forgetting about my motives. I was moved by Gabriel's kindness and affection for this dog.

"I think I am going to name her Tesha. It means survivor in Hindi," he said scratching behind her ears. That was a beautiful name.

"You know Hindi?" I asked curiously.

He shrugged his shoulders. "Partly. There was this Hindi vendor that use to come to the castle every week. I would offer to fill up his water sack so in return, every week he would teach me a new word in Hindi. He passed away a few years ago."

There was a saddened expression. I guess he cared for this vendor as well.

"I am sorry for your loss," I found myself saying. I shouldn't be consoling him.

He shot me another one of his dazzling smiles. "It is okay. I find it best we honour the dead with good memories rather than sorrowful ones."

If only it was that easy. He did not know what it was like to lose your whole family.

As if noticing my expression, Gabriel cautiously put his calloused hand on mine comfortingly. "I am sorry for your loss as well. It must be hard living on your own."

"More than you know it," I found myself admitting. Because of your father. He ruined everything. "What are your parents like?"

Gabriel looked surprised to be hearing me ask such a question. Very cautiously, he answered. "Wonderful. Both seekers of justice. My father is honourable and my mother is pure."

Honourable? Taking a man from his family is honourable? I should just kill Gabriel now and get it over with.

"What were your parents like?" He asked this time.

"My father... he may not have been the greatest man in the eyes of others but he was a good father. He always made time for me, listened to me, protected me... and then he was taken away from me. Murdered by a sword. My mother couldn't handle the heartache and died a year later," I admit. "I promised myself I will avenge them."

My father might have been a bandit, but he only stole to keep us alive. He became a bad person to make sure we were living well. He was a good person at heart and Dorian took him from me. He could have imprisoned him, banished him, instead he killed him. My mother couldn't handle the pain, but I channelled it with revenge in mind.

Gabriel looked worried. "I am sincerely sorry that you have lost your parents so horribly but how will you avenge them? Do you really want to go down that path? Once you take a life... you can never come back from it. It will haunt you forever. My father is still haunted by the lives he had taken, my sister is still haunted as well, I have vowed to never take a life. I cannot live with blood on my hands. Can you?"

His father was still haunted? If he cared so much then he shouldn't have killed my father.

"If they are still living normally then so could I," I thrust my chin high. The captain did not seem to have a horrible life. He seemed happy with his wife and children. Gabriel's sister was married to the prince and had a daughter, she did not seem to be suffering either. If Gabriel was weak and could not take a life then I did not need to be like him, I could be strong and avenge my father.

"Every person knows the capacity of their own strength, I know my own capacity is to not draw the sword. Not as a sign of cowardice but as a sign of strength," Gabriel only replied. He spoke as if he had such high knowledge. But to not draw his sword? I knew that when he is in danger that Gabriel would take a life, it was only human to survive. Even if it meant doom for another.

"I call that weakness. You are lying to yourself," I said before barging into my house. I sat thinking of ways to prove of Gabriel's bad side. Every person had evil in them. I needed to find it so I could kill him and not feel regret.

An hour later I heard footsteps on my roof. Slight fear ran through me. Gabriel would have realized if someone was trying to break in to my house from my roof. I ran outside to find Gabriel on the roof. He had begun hammering, not noticing me there.

"What are you doing?" I called out.

Gabriel wiped the sweat off with the back of his hand. "I hope you don't mind, I was making myself useful and fixing your roof. I've realized a few buckets set up inside. Winter is approaching."

"I--" I didn't even ask him to fix my roof! He had no obligation to fix it. Why was he helping me some more? "Why?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Why are you helping me?" I asked curiously. I did not understand this man. How could there be a person so pure? It was not possible.

"Why not?" He countered. "I am able to help so I am helping. Despite all the evil in the world, I still like to believe we can provide the good."

Evil I was aware of, but good...

That sounded so far away.

Yet there, standing on my roof, was the living embodiment of good.

"I-- well-- thank you," I answered not quite there. I was lost. I walked back into my house and decided to go back to weaving. It was a skill taught to me by my mother. It was the only thing that has kept me alive for so long. My job. I was good at it. My father always told me I was talented with my hands. He taught me how to use a knife. The same knife that I was going to use to kill Gabriel.

After an hour and the constant hammering above me, my working conscience started playing. The hot sun and the manual labor must not be so easy. I filled a mug of water before taking it outside. Gabriel had stripped out of his guard's jacket and was now left in a wet white dress shirt. I gave a perfect idea of what lay under as it stuck to his frame perfectly.

I felt my cheeks turn hot. It was not fair for Gabriel to be to physically beautiful. What were his genes and where could I get some of them?

I climbed the ladder trying my best not to spill the water. I got to the top getting a better view of Gabriel. He seemed to notice me from the corner of his eyes because his head turned quickly in my direction.

"Refreshments?" I asked raising the glass.

A wide thankful smile took over. "Yes, thank you."

He chugged the glass very quickly. Wow, he was thirsty. I also dried his inside with my salty porridge.

"I fixed the bigger problems but the roof will need a few days to be completely fixed. If you want I can come back next week on my day off and continue working on it?" He asked. Wow, he sounded so genuine. It was infuriating.

"No..." you won't be alive to see next week.

"Why don't you come down? I'll make us something to eat. Something for Tesha too," I offered. He gave me another dazzling smile. My cheeks went flush again. I beat him down first and into my home.

"You can change into my father's clothes until I have your clothes cleaned. Your uniform is dirty because of me." I found myself offering. Dammit. My father's clothes? How could I?

"You don't need to do that for me," he blushed.

I shook my head. "I guess you can say I owe you one. There's a bath outback. I promise I won't peak."

Gabriel's cheeks turned into an even darker shade of red. It was almost adorable. Giving him the pair of clothes, Gabriel went to the back emerging later in my father's clothes and wet hair. My father's clothes were slightly tight on him, Gabriel had an impressive frame. He sheepishly handed me the uniform that I took to the back to have washed and hanged. To my surprise, Gabriel followed.

"You know," his voice followed me. "I never got your name? Mine is Gabriel."

Hm. That was true.

"It's Akira," I found myself admitting. I felt weird that he now knew my name. It felt like we knew each other. I knew the person who's life I was going to take.

"It's Japanese?" He asked looking surprised and excited.

A shocked eyebrow rose. "Yes... how did you know?"

"I like learning about different people, cultures and places. It makes me feel like the world is connected rather than separated," he said. Great, he was accepting too. Unlike all these racist people around my family growing up. I was neither Japanese nor Farainian, I never felt like I fit in.

"My father came here in a traveling band, then he met my mother, a Farainian and fell in love. They settle down here and started a family together. My mother was one of the few that thought like you. She accepted my father's race despite what others said," I told him. Again, another purity to this man.

Just one mistake.

"Well people are foolish, if we can look past our colour, beauty, religions, status, wealth, and age then the world would be a beautiful place. We would see each other for who we really are and what lays inside," he said. My heart hurt. If only people thought as he did when it came to my family. Maybe our lives would have been easier.

"Your parents must be so proud of you, you are basically perfect," I said bitterly. Too perfect that it was aggravating.

Gabriel blushed at my compliment that was basically an insult. He scratched the back of his head looking sort of down. "They are... yet they do not understand me. My father, my sister... They think I am going to die young, they are always worrying about me because of the way I think."

They were right. If he really did not want to take a life, as guard he might as well be dead. "You do not agree?"

He shrugged looking at the ground. "I would rather die a good man then live in regret."

"But-but--"

He is sure to die. Did he not care? Did he not care what it would do to those who love him?

"Take it from someone who's lost everyone she loves, this will kill those who love you," I answered.

His jaw clenched and his hands turned to fists at his side. "If they really loved me then they would understand me."

I could see the battle going on in his head. For a person who always had a smile on his face, he seemed very unhappy. And for a moment I understood what he was going through. "You feel alone."

His head shot in my direction looking baffled. "How could you possibly-- oh... because you are lonely as well."

I bit my lip and slowly nodded my head. He then gave me a warm smile and stuck out his hand. "Well now you have a friend, you don't have to feel alone anymore."

I felt my heart breaking. I was thinking of how I wanted to kill him to get back at his father but here he was being the purest human being I have ever met.

One mistake...

Just do one mistake.

I looked away from his hand and stood up. I noticed his smile falter and get replaced with a sad look. "It's getting late. I am going to get a fire going."

Gabriel stood up quickly. "I will do it."

My head snapped in his direction, my jaw clenched. "You don't have to keep being the good guy! You don't have to help everyone with everything! You could do a mistake! Dammit! Just one mistake!"

Tesha was whimpering in the corner at my loud voice. Great, I even scared the dog.

He looked taken aback and hurt. "As long as I could do good then I will continue to offer it to the world."

I'm done. He was the most pure person I have ever met. I was not going to find a mistake. When he sleeps I will kill him, that way I would not have to see those beautiful blue eyes as I did.

I made the fire with Gabriel and Tesha close by. He was watching me with a sad expression in his eyes. It was more than sadness. There was pity. Near me sat the one person that knew more about me then anyone else and yet I was going to remove him from my life.

Nightfall came and Gabriel when to sit outside. I went after him knowing I needed him close when I killed him. He can easily hear the creak of the door opening if he was outside.

"You don't have to sit in the cold," I told him. "Come inside, I have a futon set up."

He looked nervous. "B-but... you are alone. It is not proper."

I shook my head. "No one will know. I won't try to seduce you, I swear it."

He blushed at my choice of words looking everywhere but me.

I decided to play a card I knew he would listen to. "In my culture it is considered rude if you refuse my offer of hospitality."

His eyebrows shot up in guilt. "Oh, I apologize. I did not mean to offend you."

I shook my head motioning for him to enter. Cautiously, Gabriel got up with Tesha on his tail towards the futon I set up.

"Well goodnight, let me know if you need anything. I will be in the other room," I said.

Gabriel nodded before settling into the futon. I sat in the corridor waiting, listening for his snores. When they finally came, I clenched my knife and made my way towards Gabriel. My hands shook as I held it against his throat. Count to three and do it. No matter how hard it is. Despite every bone that was telling you not to do it. Think of what his father did to your life, to your family.

"Do it," Gabriel said, his eyes slowly opening. I met what I was avoiding. His wonderful blue eyes.

"What?" I gasped.

"Do it, I could tell you've been wanting to do this, ever since the market. Do it, kill me if it will put you at peace," he said closing his eyes.

How did he know? He saw me in the market? He went along anyways? Why would he do that?

"You coward! Fight back! Fight for your life!" I cried, traitorous tears escaping.

"I will never take another life. You might as well kill me and end your suffering," he answered opening his eyes. Those beautiful blues. It was not supposed to be like this. He was not supposed to be so good.

I was not supposed to fall for him.

"It is okay Akira."

"It is not okay!" I yelled. "Aren't you going to ask why?!"

He didn't answer so I answered for him. "It was your father that killed mine! He ruined our lives! The only way he will ever feel my pain is for him to lose someone that he loves!"

"Then do it. Let me right my father's wrong. If this is the only way to put your heart at ease," he said calmly. He was not supposed to be like this! He was not supposed to be the best man I have ever met in my life. The embodiment of goodness.

I pulled the knife high and screamed as brought it down hard. Right beside his ear. I could not kill him. I could not kill Gabriel. I broke into sobs not being able to control myself any more. Very cautiously, Gabriel brought his arms around me. I dug my head in his chest as he ran his hands through my hair and down my back in a calming manner. "Shhh... it is okay. You are okay. You are a good person."

I hated him. I hated him so much.

"I am so sorry," I sobbed, clenching his shirt.

He continued to soothe me with his gentle hands. "I forgive you Akira, I have forgiven you. It's okay."

"How could you? I could have-- You would have--"

"But I didn't," he cut me off. "You chose not to and that is what matters. You will get through this. One day this pain will end and you will find your happiness."

I really wanted to find my happiness. I wanted all this to end.

"Will you help me?" I asked. If anyone could help me find happiness it was him.

Gabriel's wide smile that had snuck it's way into my heart was now on full display. "Of course. I will always help."

And he did. Once a week, on his day off, Gabriel would visit me. He had helped me rebuild my home into what it once was. I got back to gardening even though Tesha liked digging through my garden. Gabriel came to visit every week before he stopped visiting and started living in our home as my husband. His grandparents, the richest family other than the royal family, had left him everything in their will. However, he preferred the simple life and I could not have had it any other way. Instead, he used his riches to continue helping anyone he could help.

I had finally met his parents. They were as he described. His father was a good man despite what he had done. I could see that he regret taking the lives he had taken and I couldn't help but forgive him the way Gabriel had forgiven me. His mother was a saint. I could tell where Gabriel got his heart from. She welcomed me quickly despite my social status. His oldest sister Clarissa was a bit intimidating at first but as I got to know her I began to realize why Prince Mathew was in love with her the way he was. Gabriel's other sister Grace was one of the most beautiful woman I have ever met. She was much easier to talk to than Clarissa but with time I had became closer to the future queen of Faraine. It also helped that Clarissa and I lived in the same kingdom whereas Grace lived in a foreign kingdom with Prince Raphael. It was a good thing we were close too since I learned I was pregnant not long after learning Clarissa and Mathew were expecting a second child. At least my baby will have a close cousin and not grow up as lonely as I did.

Gabriel taught me how to replace my hate and hurt with love and happiness. He showed me all that was beautiful in the world when all I saw was the ugly.

Fate had a funny way of determining your destiny.

The end!

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Woo! There it is! I hope you liked it!

Thank you everyone that has supported me from the first book till here! You are all amazing! I do pay attention to the names of my voters and commenters and I appreciate you all!

The third and final book is out and it is called The Rejected! Do check it out!

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