As she stared at his cold back, she felt tears cloud her vision.

She wanted to go on her knees right there and cry, but her pride kept her from doing such a thing.

"Good night." She mumbled and turned away, wiping at her eyes as she walked towards the door.

She listened to hear if he would call her back.

But he never did.

Claire opened the door and left the room as quietly as she had come in.

Everything around her blurred.

Was he really never going to forgive her? He had kissed her like he wanted her... but the moment she mentioned her confession, his entire countenance changed.

Would he always hate her for what he thought she did?

She suddenly regretted not bringing the woman to confess her crimes.

A servant met her along the stairway and led her up to a room that was solely reserved for her.

It was a large room, bigger than the one she had been given at the castle. The furnishings were made of dark wood that had been polished until she could see her reflection on them.

The hearth was burning on the left wall of the room and beside it was a table and a chair. She fondled the unused quills and parchment on the table before glancing at the bed.

The sight of the bed reminded her of Aurora.

She had left her alone to attend the funeral of a man she barely even knew. She’d rather call it the funeral of her feelings.

She went towards the bed and fell into it without removing her dress or accessories.

The next morning arrived with the chime of a bell.

Her eyes fluttered open.

There was a maid dangling a bell over her head. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"My lady. All the guests have already left for the procession to the chapel. I was asked to see to your needs."

Claire blinked.

All the guests had gone?

She glanced at the window and took in the gray skies. It was hard to tell what time it was.

Holy heavens...

She dashed out of the bed and began to shed her dress. The maid tried to assist but thought better of it when she saw that Claire had no intention of staying still.

A bath was brought up quickly enough.

When the maid that was scrubbing her back in small circles seemed to be taking too long, she snatched it from the woman and scrubbed it herself.

By the time she was done, her skin was red from all the scrubbing she had done.

Finally having some sense of urgency, the maids were ready with her dress as she stepped out of the bath. She was dried and dressed then pulled to the vanity table for her hair to be done.

One of the maids insisted on powdering her face to remove the excess colour since she was supposed to look pale.

Just as she stepped outside, the skies grew overcast.

It must have rained the previous night. Even the ground was moist and the lawn and gardens had looked freshly drenched.

There were no carriages in the front way.

Was she expected to walk?

Even Aldrich hadn’t waited for her?

No one from the procession was in sight.

Cursing under her breath, she began the long walk.

She had no idea where the chapel even was, and her dress was very heavy. The skirts of the gown swept the floor, pulling along leaves and twigs.

The thought of returning to the house plagued her more times than she could count, but she ignored it.

Claire followed the well travelled path, certain that she was going the right way.

Until she found herself overlooking a cliff.

Where had she been going all the while.

Placing her hands on her hips, she glanced around at the terrain, hoping to spot the right road from her vantage point.

But she spotted no one.

Not even a soul.

Her heart sank.

Did she even remember the way back to the manor?

"Enjoying the view?" A vaguely familiar voice asked from behind her.

She spun around slowly.

Please let it not be Lord Redmare, she prayed inwardly.

But when she turned, she found herself staring into the face of the council member that had been relieved from his service to the crown after challenging the King on uncle Jarren’s account.

What was he doing here?

"Are you lost?" She asked him with the confidence of someone who knew exactly where she was.

He threw his head back and laughed.

"I was just about to ask you that very question." He said when his laughter died down.

"I can find my way." She said curtly.

He winced slightly. "Well, as my carriage was riding past, I saw you turn into the wrong road... so I was concerned. After all, I was a close friend of your uncle’s." Then he winked and added, "It would be saddening if I saw you walk into harm and did nothing to help you, wouldn’t it?"

She stared at him for a while.

Even if she had wandered into the South, he was the last person she would ask for help.

"Thank you for the concern. It is indeed very touching." She gave him a fake smile.

"What a stubborn girl you are." He muttered gruffly and seized her by the arm.

He was very strong for his small stature, she realized. Struggling against his hold proved futile and she eventually gave up.

The trees around them swayed gently as the wind breezed by.

Just when she was beginning to think that he didn’t have a carriage as he had said, the vehicle finally came into view.

His attendant pulled the door open and he hefted her and shoved her inside.

Her head bumped against one of the walls of the carriage and she fell back against the seat.

It was luxurious, she noticed, but nowhere as comfortable as the King’s carriage.

Then he climbed in after her and knocked on the wall of the carriage.

The vehicle began to roll forward slowly.

"Where exactly are you taking me?" She asked, glaring hotly at him.

He just flicked the dirt that gathered on his boots away and looked up at her.

"You will see."