7 years.
That was how long they went without seeing each other. Anna Karikova, the daughter of the head of Romanov Family. However, for Viktor, status didn't matter. She was a friend, a lover, and the woman who broke his heart.
The last time they saw each other was in the beautiful garden behind the Romanov Family residence. They have promised to meet each other at the train station. They wished to flee and carve a new life.
But in the end, they never saw each other again.
Now, they meet again at the wrong time and the wrong place.
Viktor's eyes were glued to the woman, but no words came out of his mouth. He could only stare, wide-eyed and slack-jawed.
Meanwhile, Anna was staring at him in silence. Not even a trace of her emotion was visible on her face. All she did was stare.
Anger, relief, longing, and happiness, all intermingled in Viktor's heart like a hot, messy soup of emotions. Alongside the emotions came the questions. What was she doing? Why is she here?
But, everything died in his mouth. This was neither the time nor place to worry about that.
"Mister Viktor, are you okay?!"
The question broke Viktor out of his reverie. He realized that Radcliff had been offering his hand all the while, so he decided to take the help without hesitation.
"Ah, right, Mister Radcliff, I saw you fight before. That was amazing."
A cliché praise slipped out of Viktor's mouth. His mind was blank and unable to focus after he saw Anna. Meanwhile, Radcliff could only stare at him in a bewildered expression.
Then, the mayor proceeded to continue the conversation. But not even one word was registered in his mind. He only paid enough attention to nod or say yes occasionally, or even let out a smile or laughs. All he could focus on was the presence of his childhood friend there.
A few minutes passed, and Mayor Benjamin's group proceeded to bid their farewell along with the members of the Black Company. Radcliff's group decided to do the same and take their leave.
After the short farewell, Radcliff left with Anna. However, Viktor's eyes refused to leave the woman that was once his childhood friend.
A feeling of anger and curiosity swirled together in his heart. He decided to ask Viez to find any information about her, from where she lives, where she hangs out, and even her general information.
Of course, as the request was made seemingly without prior detail, Viez was skeptical. Why did Viktor ask not for Radcliffe or Argus' information, but for this girl named Anna?
"Why do you want her information?" Viez asked, a hint of curiosity in his question.
"Well, she is fierce, and she is beautiful. What is not to like?"
Viez nodded without saying anything, but his gaze was clear. He knows that Viktor would most likely not order him without reason. However, Viktor has given him a non-answer, so he decided to take what he was given and stay quiet.
After what happened in the northern gate, the energy barrier was quickly fixed, so everyone could go back to their daily duties. The city of Perm looked much better now, as if nothing had happened.
When the sun started to sink to the western horizon, the building that was once a café was illuminated by the lights. Now, the building was an ordinary bar selling alcohol.
Across one of the bars, Viktor was standing around, his expression conveying nothing but pure worry. His feet couldn't stop trembling – not because of the cold of Perm City, but because he couldn't calm his wildly beating heart.
According to Viez, this was the bar where the members of Heaven's Will usually gather. If they really would go there, chances are Anna would be here as well.
Viez has also reported that Anna has a mysterious background. There was little to no information of her whereabouts in the past 7 years. Her name only started to appear in public records after she joined Heaven's Will a year ago.
"I need to know what happened."
Resolve burned in Viktor's chest. He will finish everything by tonight.
He took a deep breath, before walking into the bar that was crowded with visitors.
Inside the bustling bar, Adventurers from all over the land and so many guilds have gathered here. Even though the lights were lacking, everyone seems to enjoy their time.
Viktor walked in and blended into the crowd in search for a beautiful woman with fair skin and short brown hair. He kept on searching in the crowds, until he landed at a group of people clad in silver armor. They were surely the members of Heaven's Will.
However, the person he was searching for was not there.
'Maybe she went home already?'
Right as the thought formed in his mind, his eyes landed on a woman sitting on the corner of the bar. The sight of her made his eyes widen.
He could practically hear his own heartbeat hammering his ribcage. Was he eager, or was he afraid? Nonetheless, he decided to approach her.
"Anna."
The woman was sitting close to a few Golden Roses guild members. When she saw Viktor, her eyes widened in shock.
"Oh, what does the esteemed Viktor Romanov need of me?" Anna's question sounded cold and with a trace of backhanded compliment.
Viktor decided to ignore her and say, "I need to talk to you."
For a few tense seconds, Anna was silent. She then ordered her friends to go and said, "You have five minutes."
This was the first time Viktor was treated this way by a woman. But, this is Anna, so Viktor decided to swallow his wounded pride for now.
"I see now that you are doing really well. I'm glad."
Anna turned away, her disdainful glare clear. "Oh, is that so? I head you are doing well too. What is it, I heard you're taking over a brothel? I'm glad."
Her tone was mocking, especially in the latter part where she imitated him.
"Well, actually, that place is for…"
Anna interrupted him and said, "I am not interested with whatever you are planning there; just tell me what you want."
Viktor heave a sigh, the women definitely angry with him. It gave him a mixed feeling; after all, it was her who never came that day 7 years ago.
"Alright then, I'll cut to the chase. Why didn't you come that day? Did you really choose money over me?"
Right as the question left his mouth, Anna was frozen for a moment, as if he had heard the most disgusting question of her life.
"I don't know what you meant. Who did you even hear that from?"
Viktor narrowed his eyes and answered with a question of his own. "Then, why did you never come that day?"
Anna took a deep breath. The question was clearly one of her sore spots. Her eyes wavered, as if she remembered a painful memory.
"Viktor, i was held captive by your family that time.. Don't you know that? It was months before I could see day light again."
Viktor fell into silence. No words left his mouth, as he knows that his father was capable of many things, so such a drastic measure didn't come as a surprise. What was surprising though, why his father care to such extent.
Anna's icy glare permeated the air between them. Viktor proceeded to ask.
"Then, why didn't you tell me?"
The woman in front of him almost laughed in cold disgust.
"Why? What did you expect? I was a 16 year old poor girl! What did you think I could you? Why didn't you search for me, o great Romanov? No, you were busy partying all those years!"
Her words felt like daggers that stabbed his heart.
Anna stood up and said, "Enough, five minutes have passed. I still have things to do."
She turned around, intend on leaving Viktor who were still sitting frozen on his seat.
But of course, Viktor won't let her just leave.
"Anna!"
He pulled her hand, even as she tried to swat him away.
"Let me go!"
"No, wait-"
Before Viktor could reach her, someone's hand stopped him. It was Derrick Radcliff, the leader of Heaven's Will.
"Sorry, Mister Romanov, she seems to no longer wish to talk to you," Radcliff said.
Viktor glared back at him and said with anger dripping from his voice, "Oh, is that so?"
Viktor tried to gather his strength and plan to launch a punch at the guy, but with the pendant's influence, there was no way he could take the strongest saint warrior in Perm City.
Meanwhile, Anna has disappeared into the crowds.
"Anna, wait!'
Radcliff gripped him tighter, pain erupted from his hand.
"Mister Viktor, just leave the lady alone."
It was only then he released his grip.
Realized that everyone was staring at him. He decided to turn around and return to the club.
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