The King's Unbreakable Wife-Chapter 287: Saving friendships (1)

Far away from where Grant was killed, a friendship was hanging by a single thread. Hazel was still unaware of what came after Tobias and Edgar turned their armies to go to Grant. She only learned of Grant’s involvement and then the updates stopped coming.

What was Tobias thinking right now? Was he coming to see her?

Hazel also thought about all the Hensons. Who could they trust right now? What if there were to be a war as Kenneth joined his father?

Hazel was not the only one worried as Linda who arrived at the estate was worried about whether Hazel would want to speak to her.

Linda truly did not know of her grandfather’s plans and only now understood the tension among her family. She would never hurt Hazel or want to take her spot as queen. From day one, she had been happy for Hazel and on the topic of children, she had spent many days crying with Hazel and going to the church to ask for a miracle for her friend.

Linda didn’t need any power like her grandfather wanted. She liked the life that she had now and wanted Hazel to stay in it. While she was worried about her father and brothers who were said to have gone to fight Grant, Linda was concerned about how Hazel was taking this in.

Tobias wasn’t beside her and all of Hazel’s family were not in town. Linda could only hope that Hazel would not push her away.

Linda nervously played with her fingers as Alessandra led her to the room Hazel was using for the time being. Was Hazel going to trust her based on the time they spent together or was she going to believe that all the Hensons were in on Grant’s plans?

Linda did not want to witness Hazel looking at her with hate or disgust. She would have to face those looks from others in town when it was revealed what her grandfather had done.

Linda was so lost in her thoughts that it took the sound of Alessandra knocking on the door she had walked past to bring her back to reality. She was so nervous that she didn’t hear what Alessandra said to Hazel or what Hazel replied. A single smile from the duchess calmed her down for a moment.

Linda entered the room and found Hazel seated by the window. Hazel wasn’t the slightest bit interested in who entered the room.

Alessandra waited for Linda to greet Hazel first but seeing that Linda was nervous, she spoke up. "Hazel, you have a visitor. Linda is here to see you. Eleanor, I think it’s best you and I leave the two of them to-"

"No," Hazel interrupted Alessandra, not wanting her or Eleanor to leave. Right now, she could only trust the two of them. She could not trust the maids Alessandra had come to the room to serve her. How was she to trust anyone after this? "I want the two of you to stay. Close the door please, Alessandra." freewebnøvel.com

Alessandra and Eleanor both thought the two should be left alone but seeing that Hazel and Linda were finding it hard to address each other, they decided to stay. Why did someone have to ruin this friendship? To bring doubt to it?

Hazel didn’t look at Linda and instead spoke with Alessandra. It was convenient for Linda to be coming around now when everything was out in the open. Where was Linda before this? Why did it feel like her friend was hiding before? "Have you received any updates about our husbands?" She asked Alessandra.

Alessandra had nothing to offer to Hazel.

Linda, on the other hand, had something to share thanks to the man who had told her of the fight and escorted her there. "They have reached my grandfather’s home and won’t let anyone leave. Men on my grandfather’s side have put up a defence against the two of them. It won’t be pretty if the two sides start to fight."

After a moment of silence, Linda said, "Hazel, you know me. I did not have any part of this."

Hazel couldn’t use that to trust Linda just yet. She thought she knew Grant. She thought she knew Julia yet those two people close to her had stabbed her and cut her where it would really hurt all because they wanted Linda to be queen.

Hazel had laughed when she heard the rumour that Linda was considered to be a candidate for Tobias’s woman but now, she couldn’t laugh. How was it that Linda knew nothing yet wasn’t around as the rumour spread? Even Grant was in the palace less.

Hazel looked away from Alessandra so she wouldn’t make the mistake of looking at Linda. "Where were you these days? You are normally by my side or at home with your mother but you were out of town for so long and then when you returned, I did not hear much from you. You did not attend your grandfather’s party, unlike you."

Linda wished she had been more informed in the past so it wouldn’t be like this now. She was in the same position as Hazel not knowing anything. "My brothers and father were also not in attendance. My father had to go out of town and as always, he took me and my mother with him."

Linda continued, "Had I known about my grandfather’s plans I would have warned you or the king. Hazel, I have been by your side and comforted you when you cried about not having a child-"

"Which is why I would never forgive you if you are lying to me," Hazel said, wiping the tears escaping her eyes as she didn’t want to appear weak. She was seen that way for too long which allowed for too many people to hurt or walk over her. She could not be that way anymore.

"You have been my friend for as long as I could remember but I am finding it hard to trust anyone from your family or close to them. Julia betrayed me. What would make you any different? I wish you hadn’t come here," Hazel spoke honestly.

Hazel needed time to think. She had lost two people close to her and did not want to learn of Linda betraying her. She couldn’t add that right now.

Linda was not going to leave until Hazel believed her. She was innocent in this and was not going to walk away for more doubt to fill Hazel’s mind. "Hazel, I came to tell you that I had no part in this and I knew nothing. I would never betray you. You know that I have no interest in the palace and the only reason I visit is because of you."

"We both entered the palace at the same time to win the king’s affection. Never once did I want to be with Tobias or have any role in the palace," Linda said, reminding Hazel of the past. Hazel was the only one to ever have any interest in Tobias. "My eyes were always on Edgar," Linda stopped because of where she stood.

Alessandra ignored the comment since Linda’s feelings for Edgar did not matter. Nothing would ever come out of it.

Linda took one step toward Hazel, testing if it was safe to go near. "Hazel, me standing here should be enough proof that I am on your side. I would not have come if I did not care about you and your husband would have not let me leave if he did not believe I had no part in this."

Linda would have gone into hiding if she was in on the plan. Shouldn’t Tobias allowing her to come here be some indication of her innocence?

"It is an awful position to be in knowing that he is the reason behind your suffering. I would never hurt you, Hazel. Please do not let his actions ruin the bond we have. I cannot be without you as my friend," Linda spoke softly, her eyes filling with water because she was close to losing her friend.

Linda couldn’t help thinking now of what she should have done to avoid this. She turned to blaming herself since she didn’t notice anything.

Hazel finally turned to Linda after hearing the sadness when she spoke. She did remember Linda not liking the palace and only making the long trip there to see her or Edgar.

Hazel wanted to trust Linda right away but she had been hurt so much today that it was hard to.

"I don’t like feeling like there is no one I can trust. I don’t like doubting you but I cannot help it. So please forgive me if I am not accepting your words right away. I need some time to think about everything."

Linda smiled to mask the hurt that Hazel did not trust her right away. She couldn’t blame Hazel. "I will leave to give you some time to think-"

"No, stay," Hazel said, giving Linda the chance to prove what she said. "Stay here with me."