---- He was bidding his farewell My feet were burning in the scorching sun, my lungs were protesting and my body was still weak from the events that have transpired.


    But I didn''t seem to care of anything right now.


    My eyes stay fixated on the man who pats my fathers shoulder and bows at him.


    A royal carriage stood behind him.


    Tle was really leaving.


    I should be happy right.


    This meant I won the challenge.


    I survived the night of heat without begging him.


    I was free now.


    Free from this matebond, this marriage and these restrictions of society But then what is this feeling of emptiness in my chest? Te turns around to step into the carriage and my heart beats faster in my chest.


    ---- eee Just once.


    Just once I wanted our eyes to meet.


    I don''t even know why.


    And then as if on clue, he grips the threshold of the carriage door and looks up right into my eyes.


    My heart stops.


    My breath seizes in my chest And my mind freezes T should have moved back, hidden away.


    I should have portrayed that I didn''t give two hoots if he leaves.


    But I couldn''t T couldn''t break that eye contact with him.


    I wanted this.


    I wanted to be here.


    And I wanted to look at him onest time.


    Our eye contact was barely for a few seconds.


    But it felt like an eternity.


    ---- This time, he was the one who looks away and something cracks in my chest Without another look back at me, he gets into the carriage.


    And he leaves.


    His carriage drives away into the horizon and I just stood there, watching.


    I was free now.


    Tle gifted me my freedom.


    But then why do I feel like he stole something from my chest and took it along with him? ---- eee = Chapter 309 A weekter...


    Knock Come in.


    T push open the door to find father sitting behind his table with some man sitting in front of him.


    I shift my weight awkwardly as I find Dad look up at me.


    Mr Minister.


    We will discuss thister.


    Of course Lordie.


    The man gets up to rush out, but not before bowing at me.


    A very good evening Princess Zariyan.


    Good evening.


    The door closes behind and I look up to see Dad sighing and leaning back on his seat.


    He looked tired.


    There were dark circles under his eyes and he didn''t