Chapter 53. Questions

VESTA

I stood there silently, looking down at her with dropped jaws and puzzled brows.

“You think I’m scared of you, huh?” she spat out vehemently, her voice laced with defiance of some ideology I did not propose.

“What?” I heard myself mutter.

“…I most definitely am not!” She shot back almost immediately.

What in the world was this old lady on about? I wondered, shaking my head as I reminded myself of the Queen’s errand. I did not have the time for such dramatic nonsense.

“Listen, old lady, I don’t give two shits about whether or not I terrify you. Just be careful when walking these narrow corners next time. Thank you,” I said with finality, and started heading toward another stair way.

“Off to see your fated one, are you not?” Her voice stiffened me mid-step.

“Julian, the Roman lieutenant, no?” She added, and I froze inside. First of all, how did everyone in this cursed rue seem to know Julian? Was it fate or just happenstance? First