The Lycan King's Puppet-Chapter 57: Together Again.
Tears blurred her vision. The one person she taught saw her just told her that her reputation didn’t matter to anyone.
Not even him, clearly.
Esteemed Cupbearer... what a fool she was.
Why was she craving a place among people who had already decided for her.
Rory had been right - she couldn’t handle the truth.
She didn’t matter to the society that once welcomed her. And she was pushing away those that actually cared for her. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮
"I have to talk to Rory."
In her haste, she bumped into
Aldrich.
He was heading towards his carriage, his guards behind him.
The guards gathered around him, pulling their swords out of their sheathes.
Claire blinked, her throat working.
"Put your weapons away. She comes in peace." He said to them.
A sigh of relief escaped her before she could stifle it.
"They’re very... protective."
She commented.
"They are indeed." He cast a glance over his shoulder. "It’s even worse now my father is dead - I’m the heir to Cavenholm."
She averted her gaze.
"Forgive me for asking." She wiped at her eyes. "How did he die?"
"He went to bed one night, and didn’t wake up the next, it is would seem. And he’d been perfectly fine during dinner, talking about his plans for the new land he had acquired..." He trailed off, his voice cracking.
Claire bit her lips to stop herself from crying. Her own father had been beheaded before her very eyes.
"Why were you crying?" He suddenly asked.
She blinked.
"My...my sister is ill. I was just on my way to see her."
He stepped away, his brows drawing together in concern.
"I better not keep you, then."
She waved his concern away.
"I am in no great hurry, though, My lord."
He twisted his lips in disdain.
"Nonsense. I am no lord to you, Claire. In my eyes, you are still the girl that stole the room when we were younger."
Her room-stealing days had long since ended. Why remind her of those days?
"I would love to invite you for dinner. There’s something important I want to discuss with you."
"My freedom is not my own, Aldrich. Tell me first, if I decide that it is indeed important, I will do my very best to visit."
He glanced around carefully before drawing close. So close, leaning forward to whisper in her ear.
"I’ll only tell you when you come to dinner. Even the fir trees around have ears."
She glanced at the trees around, half-expecting them to transform into vicious gossiping maids.
"I make no promises, but if fate allows, I will be there."
He gave her a fond smile - as if he knew she would come for the dinner.
She watched him enter his carriage, feeling her cheeks heat up.
Then, the carriage rolled away.
What could he possibly want to discuss with her that couldn’t be discussed there? Marriage? Was he afraid of the King and uncle Jarren?
She spun around and headed towards the castle as she had initially intended.
The stairs were endless, ridding her of the little energy she had from the few pieces of meat she ate.
Her face contorted when she remembered her last encounter with the King.
Why couldn’t she just take her sister and leave? Why wouldn’t he let her leave? She could protect herself for Jarren, maybe even go far South and begin anew.
Aurora’s door loomed in front of her. Her sister was on the other side of the door, but it felt like she was on the other side of the world.
Had Rory already forgiven her?
Rubbing her sweaty palms against her dress, she knocked on the door.
Bare feet slapped against the polished marble from within.
Then the door opened just a crack.
"Maria..." Rory trailed off.
Claire stood there, clasping her hands together.
"Come in." The expectant smile on the little girl’s face faded.
Claire felt like her heart had been run over by a stampede of horses.
"Thank you." She walked into the room.
Pieces of fabric were strewn everywhere, some cut, some whole. Threads and finger needles were scattered in a basket on the floor. The large windows were thrown open, flooding the room with light.
Claire took in everything.
Aurora rushed to clear space on the bed for her.
"Forgive the mess, Maria was teaching me how to sew."
Sew? What was Aurora trying to prove? She thought.
"No worries. Who’s Maria?"
Aurora smiled fondly. "She’s one of my chamber maids - and she’s very chatty."
"Chatty? You must like her very much, then."
Rory nodded. "I do. She doesn’t REMIND me how poor and hopeless I am when she gets the chance."
Claire bit her lower lip. "I deserve that. Forgive me for what I said, I didn’t mean to hurt you."
Aurora scooted closer. "I’m sorry, too. I crossed a line - you’re the strongest person I know even if no one else agrees."
Claire’s eyes filled with tears. She pulled Rory into her arms and embraced her.
"You’re the most important thing to me." She whispered into her sister’s hair.
Rory responded by inching closer and hugging her tighter.
They remained locked together for a long time before Aurora pulled away.
"No more secrets, then?"
Claire brushed at her eyes. "What secrets?"
"I heard about your... encounter with the King."
Claire coloured. "What encounter?"
Colour crept up Aurora’s cheek. "The maids have been talking about it - and there’s only one Miss Stenly that goes to the King’s private chambers."
"They shouldn’t be talking about such things around you! You’re a child, Rory."
"I know, but I am old enough to understand certain things. You ran from his room with a torn dress, yes or no?"
Claire reached for her hand and held it. "I don’t want to discuss that with you. It was wrong..."
"Like with uncle Jarren." Aurora’s eyes hardened. "If he hurt you, I’ll carve his eyes out."
Claire pushed back at the violence her sister showed.
"He didn’t... didn’t hurt me."
"Then why did he tear your dress? That’s something uncle Jarren would have done?"
How could she explain what happened without making herself look like a wanton woman?
"He is nothing like uncle Jarren." Was the only thing she could say.
"Does that mean you let him tear your dress?"
Rory’s eyes widened at Claire’s silence.
"You just ruined your chances of marrying rich like you always wanted, Claire."
Claire stared at her limp hands.
"I know."
But did she care?
