Chapter 27

Unveiling River's Identity (Part 17) "I am asking you, who made you cry?" Mari bellowed in anger as she stared at the swollen eyes of Ariel, which means she has been crying for sometime. "No one aunt, something flew inside my eyes." Ariel lied quickly using her two hands to cover her face, when she removed them, no trace of a swollen eyes, she sent a smile towards the direction of Mari. "See, I am fine aunt." "Ariel don't lie to me, who made you cry?" "No one aunt, I was just crying over some stupid stuff." Ariel answered half truthfully. "Luke, go and wait for me in the room, I need to discuss something with her privately, please." Mari told her Mate who nodded in understanding and went into the room. Once the door was shut behind Luke, Mari returned her gaze to Ariel. "You can now tell me who made you cry dear, I won't hurt him or her, I am giving you my word." She said moving closer to Ariel who was sitting down on her study chair. "I don't know why I am feeling sad, I hurt him, I lied to him and now he knows the truth and do not want to see me again." Ariel finally revealed why she was crying. "Who is he? Is he your Mate?" "No, the other one, the one you said looked like who you know before. He saw me and Tyler together and when he asked about our closeness, I lied to him that we were friends, I didn't mean to lie to him but it just came out and today when I went to Wolfe Crimson Kingdom to visit Royal, I met Tyler and when he was inviting me to his birthday party as his mate, I didn't know he was there Mari, he was there and he listened to our whole conversation." By now Ariel was crying and she couldn't stop the tears from flowing. "He was supposed to come with me today as we planned aunt but I fucked up, I don't know why I am feeling this pain when he is not even my Mate." She added. "Do you love him?" "How can I love him when I already have a mate." "That is not what I asked Ariel, let's forget about Tyler and talk about him, do you love Royal? It's a simple question my dear." Mari said. "I think I might love him aunt." "You think or you know you love him?" "I don't know aunt, I need to clear my head but I love him more than Tyler." Ariel answered, cleaning her eyes. "Then clean your eyes, if he is yours, he is yours. The Moon goddess never makes a mistake. If Tyler is yours, then he is yours. You will have to choose between the two of them which one you want to spend your life with." Mari told Ariel and continued. "But something doesn't feel right since you don't love your Mate like you do with Royal." "When the time comes, I just wish something should happen so I can reject Tyler." Ariel didn't know when the words came out from her mouth. Choosing to ignore her statement Mari asked. "You spoke about a birthday party Tyler is having, are you going?" "Yes aunt, he said I should invite everyone so you and uncle Luke are coming with me." "When?" "Next tomorrow night." Ariel answered. "How did it go with your sister?" "She was surprised when she saw I and Luke, you really need to see her face." Mari answered with a chuckle. "I am glad she is receiving her award." "All thanks to you who gave me the information." **** Soon, Tyler went back to his kingdom after spending quality time with Beauty. **** Tyler Birthday Party; It was dark and the stars were shining, the whole palace compound of King Lucas was filled with people seated, eating and drinking, some of the supernatural Kings and Queens were present. King Leon and his daughter with some of his vampires council were there. Ariel, Mari and Luke were both present. Ariel was looking so beautiful in her dress, she let her hair down and was staring around her hoping to see Royal but didn't. King Lucas raised up his golden cup and everywhere became quiet. "I am so glad you are all here for my son's 25th birthday. Thank you all." King Lucas announced. "My son will like to say a word or two." He added, gesturing with his head towards his son who was sitting beside him. Getting up to his feet, Tyler smiled. "Thank you once again for honouring my birthday." He began. "I will also like to use the opportunity and inform you all that I have seen my Mate." They all cheered and clapped from everyone as congratulations filled the air. "I would like to call her out." Tyler said. "Ariel would you please come out so people will see you." Ariel stood up from her sit and walked towards Tyler smiling, though not brightly. Once Ariel was standing in front of him, Tyler turned her around so she could be facing everyone. "Ariel is a cheat." Tyler began earning a loud gasps from everyone including Ariel. "She was cheating on me with one of my lowest servants and I have caught them. A lowly servant who is the mate of a Prince has the guts to cheat on me with him. In fact I have some witnesses who have always seen them together and you all know the rules set by the Millennium King to a mate who is cheating, so." Tyler told them. "I am rejecting Ariel as my Mate." He touched a still shocked Ariel on her head and said. "I, Tyler Kobe, reject Ariel- whatever your surname is- as my Mate right here and now." Ariel couldn't believe her ears, she wasn't expecting this at all, even if he wanted to reject her, it shouldn't be in front of everyone. No. She felt the pain from her heart first as the Mate connection between her and Tyler disperse. She tried not to give in to the pain as she stared at Tyler's smirking face. "I accept your rejection fully." With that she ran away ignoring the whispering around her. She was out of the kingdom and didn't know where she was running too. "Ariel, wait!" She stopped running when she recognised who owns the voice. She didn't turn around and waited until Royal was beside her. "I didn't know you can run as fast as this." "What do you want?" Ariel didn't mean to sound cold but she couldn't help it. She was hurting, her Mate just rejected her and Royal is here to mock her. "Are you here to mock me?" "Mock you? I can never do that, I came here to ta-" "What do you want Royal? Tell me fast so that I can go home in peace and cry my eyes out." Ariel interrupted him. She suddenly yelped when she felt Royal arms around her waist, lifting her up in bridal style. "What are you doing?" "Carrying you." "Drop me down this minute." She shouted, though she was loving it. "No, I am taking you to where we lowly servants could talk and cry out our pain together." Royal said. "We are on the same boat Ariel. "I don't understand you Royal, why do you want to cry with me and why are we on the same boat?" "I got rejected by my Mate today Ariel, I just met her today and she rejected me. She is the daughter of the Vampire King."