The King's Mistress

Chapter 161: Worries And Woes

"If you’re still replaying what Yini said in your mind, don’t," Vy whispered to her.

Sierra glanced over at her, "Did you?"

"I did. For a time. Then I realized I shouldn’t let it govern what I do," she explained as she looked forward. ƒrēewebnovel.com

"Easier said than done," Sierra glanced back at Alistair, letting out a sigh as she turned back to look at the path ahead of her, "I’m fearing the worst."

Even with all that Alistair had done to secure their relationship, she still had her doubts. Now that the truth of her identity had been revealed, things were going to be different. She was no longer seen by others as a royal.

She was just the knightess who won the King’s heart. She did not have to hear the whispers and rumors to know firsthand that some of the nobility saw her as nothing but a harlot. A siren who sunk her claws into the King.

She hated that.

She wanted them to see her for who she truly was, just like how Alistair saw her.

Though he had created an entirely new position for her, it did not mean she had the approval of his court. He had reassured her before that he did not care what they think, but the kingdom did. She did not want to ruin Alistair’s reputation just because they were together.

Vy bit her lip. When she first got together with Dygo in their home realm, she too was in a similar position as Sierra.

"I can understand a little of what you’ve been through," she confessed, "Dygo was... sort of like a king back where we’re from. And I... I was an orphan too. When he pursued me, I was resistant because I knew what people were going to say. It didn’t stop him from trying though."

"What about the people around him?"

"Oh they hated me," Vy chuckled with a grin, reliving the memories in her mind, "But eventually, I gained their respect. Especially... after he died."

"He died? But..."

"It’s complicated. He died in our home realm, but he was transported here. He started living a new life but without the memories of the past. Eventually, he regained his memories though." fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm

"What about you?"

"I lived on... without him... for a time. Then it was my time to go, and by the grace of the gods or whoever’s watching over us, I was sent here too. It took us some time to find each other again. That was... bittersweet."

Sierra was surprised by Vy’s story. Though there were things she could not quite understand, she realized how similar their positions were.

"How did you gain their respect?" Sierra wanted to know what she could to improve her image.

"After Dygo... died, I started my own kingdom in a way. I had to work from the ground up. I worked really hard to gain the respect of those around me and eventually his people did too."

"So working hard is key?"

"Working hard and smart," Vy corrected her.

Sierra nodded, taking in the information Vy had given.

Between Dygo and Alistair, there was only silence for quite some time. It wasn’t until Dygo broke the ice that they started talking.

"Are they not accepting of her?" referring to Sierra.

Alistair looked over at Sierra, who was walking closely next to Vy. He sighed and shook his head.

"Based on the tradition, we should never be together. It’s forbidden," he said in defeat.

"Are you worried you’ve made the wrong choice?" Dygo asked, going straight to the point.

Alistair shook his head vehemently, "No. I just... I worry that I’ve chosen the worst path for us."

Dygo glanced over to Vy. He recalled the path he had chosen when they first got together in their home realm.

"Vy and I... were once in a similar position. We didn’t choose the easy way out either and arguably, we chose the most difficult path to walk."

"What happened?"

"If you’re hoping for a good end, it’s not," Dygo confessed, he did not want to lie to Alistair just so that he would feel a little more confident with his situation.

The truth hurts. But it needs to be said.

"Was it bad?" Alistair asked, fearing the worst.

"It took a lot of work and convincing, but eventually things got better. She even earned the respect of those who once hated her. But I did not live long enough to see all of her accomplishments," Dygo sighed.

Alistair widened his eyes in surprise. He wanted to ask for more information but he could see the pained look in Dygo’s eyes. He could not imagine what it must have been like for them to be separated.

Should Sierra die, he wouldn’t know what to do with himself either.

"I died saving her life. For me, it was worth it. After we were reunited in Gaeia, we talked a lot about what had happened. For her, living without me was agony. The same was for me."

"That’s what I fear more than anything," Alistair confessed.

Realizing how depressing everything must have seemed, Dygo quickly explained himself.

"I’m not saying that it’s going to end badly. We chose to walk down the path together, and neither of us had any regrets. Every decision we made from that point forward, we made together. We did everything in our power to make things work."

Dygo pointed out that though at times it felt like the entire world was against them, knowing they had each other’s support pulled them through. Even though Vy had to carry on living after Dygo died to save her, she went on to make the best of her life.

She fulfilled all the dreams and aspirations they had. Since they were reunited in Gaeia, every moment they shared was even more precious.

"Take it from someone who’s died once, cherish everything you have now," Dygo advised Alistair, "No one knows for certain what the future holds. Only the present is certain."

After some time, they finally made it to the strawberry farm. The fields were covered with rows and rows of bushes, all covered in bright red strawberries. Sierra turned back, she grabbed Alistair by the hand and brought him to take a closer look.

Vy handed them a basket and told them to pick as many as they liked, before sending them on their way. Dygo came up next to her, watching Sierra and Alistair making their way further into the farm.

"You’re horrible at giving advice, Dygo," Vy chuckled as she leaned her head on his shoulder while locking arms with him, a basket in her free hand.

He glanced over to her with a grin, "Were you eavesdropping?"

"You know I have good hearing," she replied haughtily.