The Devil's Temptation!

Anna’s chocolate-brown eyes lit up at the very sight of Calista, and her whole face beamed with happiness. She could barely conceal the delight she was feeling at the current moment, seeing everyone she missed terribly stand in front of her, and she became breathless with joy.

The two ladies happily embraced themselves with a hug, looking like two long lost sisters that were being reunited after spending many years apart. Anna felt she was still dreaming, Calista’s presence was just too unbelievable, but hugging her like this made it clear to Anna that this wasn’t her fantasy world, but she was actually experiencing reality’s happiness.

Pulling back, Calista noticed the tears that were starting to well up in Anna’s eyes. She had completely forgotten just how emotional her Anna can really be. The young lady can easily summon tears like one could summon a servant.

“You haven’t changed at all Anna,” Calista began her teasing, “you’re still more of a cry baby like I remember you to be.”

“I’m not crying.” She denied, quickly wiping her tears away, “I’m just overwhelmed with everything that’s happening, I’m not crying at all...” smiling, she eagerly held Calista’s hand, “but how are you here? How did you know I’m here?”

Seeing Calista here wasn’t the shocking part, the shocking part is how she looks barely afraid to be amongst the demons she never wished to crosspath with. Obviously Roshan still has a score to settle with Euphrasia and might not be acquainted with any of the royal families.

So how is she here? And less bothered about standing before such intimidating demons like Roshan and Azazel.

Seeing the questions that glimmered in her eyes, Calista softly whispered, “It’s a story for another day.”

.....

Anna’s face went blank with her response, she wanted to hear it now and not later. Noticing Anna’s disapproving expression, Calista leaned forward to add, “remember how we used to chat a lot in the garden while eating berries back in Euphrasia, when you come to visit, I’ll tell you everything by then.”

At the mention of visit, Anna remembered that she was totally free to enter Euphrasia now, since Sir Arlow had confessed his crime and cleared her name of the guilt. And again, it was all thanks to Roshan’s doing.

“Oh my!” Calista suddenly exclaimed, throwing Anna off guard and the young princess’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Your mark is gone!”

After spilling what had gotten her so shocked, Anna’s heart relaxed since it wasn’t a cause for alarm and she nodded, feeling happy about it herself.

“Yes, I didn’t see it when I woke up.” She explained, and Calista’s hand flew to her mouth to stop herself from screaming out in joy.

“That mark was such a burden on you, I noticed something was different about you today and then the mark came into mind, you look great without having that mark on your forehead, forgive me but I despised it.”

“We both did.” Anna corrected, knowing how many times she refused to look in the mirror when she was younger all to avoid letting her eyes fall on the silly mark.

Anna smiled but their conversation was cut short by Levi who chimed in with his presence, placing his hand around Anna’s shoulder and smiled in Calista’s direction, showing off his gleaming white teeth.

“Sorry to invade but some people are hungry for cakes, and I hope you don’t mind me borrowing Anna for a minute.”

Calista giggled lightly at his cute approach and nodded, “of course.”

He bowed, “thank you princess.”

Taking Anna away, the excited human just followed him and as they stood behind the cake, Anna lovingly pulled at Levi’s cheeks as they ended up starting their own conversation, then Anna suddenly leaned in and whispered something into his ears that made his eyes brighten.

Unbeknownst to her, her extreme closeness with Levi was forming a storm cloud at the top of Roshan’s head. He just stood at a corner, watching them and when he noticed they weren’t going to separate anytime soon, he walked towards both of them, gaining their attention as their gaze shifted to him.

From his stoic look, Levi could tell the man was nowhere happy as he stood before the both of them, Levi quickly tried to explain.

“Roshan see.... Anna and I were just–”

“She’s my woman.” He interjected, surprising Anna and everyone that was present in the room.

“And I don’t fancy your closeness.”

“Huh?”

“Separate!”

Anna and Levi instantly shifted due to his commanding tone, keeping a good distance from one another. Although Roshan wasn’t satisfied with the distance, he chose to let it be since Levi wouldn’t make the same mistake of coming near his woman like that, except he wishes to go through the underground punishment for the second time.

Azazel, who sat in a corner, just shook his head without saying a word. If anyone asks, he has no idea who these people are.

———

When it clocked evening, Lady Odette remained seated in the dinning, having a cup of hot tea with Letitia by her side, and Gravion sitting opposite their table.

“How’s the search going?” Letitia started the conversation, fixing her focused gaze on Gravion who shifted in his seat and sat straight.

“Poorly,” he commented, “Luderick’s hideout is difficult to find, we tried to see if we could locate him through his senses, but even his scent is hidden.”

“The advantage of black magic.” Odette quickly analyzed, “I’m afraid that if he isn’t caught soon, we’ll be having bigger problems coming our way in the future.”

Letitia sighed, her forehead creased into a frown, “we’ll focus more on figuring out where he’s hiding, but inform the soldiers not to strike quickly, he’s a foolish man but cunningly smart, we’ll find out where he’s hiding, then plan on how to strike.”

“Well I_” Odette was about to make a suggestion when something up the stairs caught her eyes. Looking up, her eyes dilated drastically, seeing Anna stand beside Roshan up the stairs, hand in hand and the cup of tea she held loosened from her grip, falling to the ground and startling Letitia and Gravion.

“Odette?”

Letitia looked at her, and noticed how pale the face of Odette became, she looked dumbstruck from her expression and when Letitia followed her sight, she finally understood what had gotten Odette so flabbergasted with shock.

“Anna?!” She got to her feet at the sight of Annalise, who stood beside Roshan and Letitia shook her head, unable to believe what she was seeing.

Anna’s alive????

The maids were all peeping from different corners, murmuring to one another about the unbelievable sight before them, and they were hundred percent sure that Anna couldn’t have faked her death, so how is she alive????

Going down the stairs, Azazel and the rest stood at the top of the stairs with a mischievous look on their faces, already excited to watch what would happen next as Roshan led Anna down the stairs and into the dining room.

Odette slowly rose to her feet, staring at Anna who was currently staring right back at her. She bowed slightly with a smile.

“Greetings.”

At first they all thought it was their illusion, but hearing her speak to all of them, even Gravion was at loss of words as all he could do was just stare.

“You’re alive?” Odette asked, her gaze raking Anna from head to toe, but Roshan responded in her place.

“Not just alive, but she’s alive and well.”

“How did this–” Letitia couldn’t even complete her statement, it was impossible to bring back the dead so how on Earth is Anna standing before them?? How is she alive??

“That isn’t why I brought her down here, so save your questions for another day,” he silenced them, Anna who was feeling anxious about the gazes staring her way, suddenly felt her uneasiness dissipate when Roshan looked at her, “..I brought her here so that you all can be a witness to something.”

The servants who hid themselves in different corners, began to whisper to themselves after hearing the words Roshan had to say, and even Anna was confused by what he meant.

She felt her heart instantly flutter when he kissed her hand in front of everyone, leaving Odette’s eyes to widen and the viewers from upstairs cleared their throats, looking away since Roshan’s intention can never be trusted.

“I want everyone to be a witness to what I have to say Anna, but I’ll admit that I’m not good at all when it comes to pouring out emotions, neither am I good with the words, but what I do know is that I want to spend the rest of my life taking care of you and giving you all the love that you so desire.”

The sincerity in his eyes and the devotion in his words made Anna’s heart swell with joy, and he continued with the same loving tone that sent her skin tingling with delight, “to be honest I never expected you, but who knew I’d one day find it difficult to let you walk away from me.”

He took a deep breath, “You’ve always been the source of my joy, and my greatest support when I needed one. You’re my life Anna, and these days I got to spend without you made me realize how deeply in love I’ve fallen with you.”

At this point, Anna could no longer breathe, but all of a sudden, her brows narrowed when she watched Roshan go on his knees before everyone, and to her biggest surprise of the day, he brought out a beautiful golden colored ring and held it up for her to see.

“I know I’m not perfect, I can be intolerable but I’ll see to it that you remain happy with me, and I’ll try my best to be a better man worth deserving you. I need you to tolerate me for the rest of your life. Like I said, I’m not good with these kinds of proposals but what matters is that I love you Anna, so will you make me the happiest person alive and say yes to marrying me?”

Several surprised gasps could be heard and Anna’s eyes instantly went round in obvious shock, the bewilderment displayed in her eyes and she lost the ability to speak.

Lady Odette and Letitia’s face drained of all colors at the unexpected proposal.