Chapter twenty sevenLord Roothewell stared down at the knife on his throat, gasping fearfully before he finally looked up at them again, "What do you want from me?"The Duke studied him silently for a while before he sighed. Approaching him, he lowered his height in a squat for better scrutiny. "How well do you know my father?" The Baron seemed to have frowned a bit, they noticed. Still, he clammed up, reluctant to speak.Philip glanced at Monica with narrowed eyes, speaking a language with the stare only she was able to understand.Then, she obeyed.The lady pushed the blade closer through the Baron's skin, slightly piercing it and threatening to go deeper.With a groan, he grimaced at the sight of his own blood sipping down his clothes, "Fine!" Then he felt the weapon pressing his skin shift away as well...just a bit."I'm listening," Philip pushed his stand even more.After drawing shaky breaths for something that looked like strength, Roothewell sighed in frustration and let out
Chapter twenty eightNax heard some noise from outside the door that Monica had managed to manoeuver back to its hinges.While the entire room had a fuming vibe that seemed a bit noisy, he raised a finger to his lips and whispered, "Shhh…"Monica stopped sobbing and looked up from Timothy's shoulder. The Prince however smiled down at her with his hand still on her hair, the other drying her face carefully, "Seems we have company. Why don't we channel your emotion Monica into something more useful and exciting?"The Scottish glared at him in confusion showing she had not understood what he meant. Philip however, did her the favour to explain further, "What he means to say is… go get us some carcasses."His words came with a small smile to her, giving the effect he knew he always caused with that action of his.She grinned and sniffed, raising her hands to completely dry her eyes. Soon after, she was back in track and away from that vulnerability she always hated.What surprised everyon
Chapter twenty nineThe soldier was sure he had heard a noise, foot steps to be precise. And although sweat dripped down his face and his heartbeat increased, he stalked forward carefully with his sword ready.Now the noise came from up the stairs, making him turn quickly enough to face it.The last thing he felt was a hand around him from behind and a knife to his throat.Not long after, Philip sliced the soldier and pushed him down. He retrieved a cloth and busied himself with wiping the blood thoroughly off it. "You can come out now! The con is over,"he shouted into nothingness to the man he thought he was talking to, precisely the one he was supposed to be with.It worried him slightly when seconds after, Nax had not emerged. The general had been the cause of the distracting footsteps, but now the shadow he saw approaching was surely not Nax's.The silhouette on the wall came closer and retrieved a sword. That was when the Duke of Anfield knew he was supposed to run.At that, he
Chapter thirtyThe silence was indeed necessary to the lads. Slowly, their gazes travelled along the corpses before them. It was almost difficult to get their feet through the river of bodies."That little whore," Earl gasped under his breath while his hands gripped Jason to his side to support his steps.Lancaster soldiers lay dead with their bodies battered. The number was well over significant, and looking at them would prove the Scottish was in a disgusting mood.Unavoidably, The Duke looked out through a window deep in an aclove at the left of the hallway. It seemed the party was over. Well that wasn't the part that disturbed him.A little more than twenty soldiers were making their way across one of the battlements leading to the tower they were in. And they surely had a different imprint on their armours from that of the Lancaster corpses that lay before them. A little more scrutiny made him realise they were guard of this very empire.A gasp escaped his lips at that moment wi
Chapter thirty one"You two look terrible! Were you eaten by sharks or something worse?" The words were said by the only person capable of inflicting pain when comfort was needed; Earl Robinson.He gawked at the Duke and the lady, dripping wet and adorned with what looked like sea weed as they half ran to them.Philip Forland squeezed his hair and immediately stepped on the stirrup of his horse, mounting it efficiently and pulling the reins in his grip, "I would not have had to be a fish today if you all had done as told!"Genuine confusion settled upon them as they all frowned, obviously trying to make sense of what he meant.But then something more demanding sought their attention. As they looked back in through the gates they'd just left, a man pointed a finger towards at them all. Soon after, a small group of guards followed his direction and began chasing after them.At that point, nothing delayed them. Philip reined his horse into the walkway and set it trotting at full speed.H
Chapter thirty-twoKing Louis traced his fingers down the map on the table, a glass of rum in his other hand.Kilmarnock!He stopped his forefinger on Scotland, then sipped from his cup.After a short while of scrutiny, he called out with his deep, sour voice, "James."The King didn't wait longer than a moment before a footman strode in with his head low and a hand on his chest. "Your Majesty."Another gulp of rum and a little while later, King Louis raised his attention from the map he had been studying all night, "Would you call my two youngest sons for me?"James paused in fulfilling the order and managed to look up at the older man with a frown. After the short silence, he declared steadily, "I apologise my King but they are still away on their trip to Anfield."Louis looked at him and dropped his cup, his brows joining slightly, "And why is that? They do not usually stay this long!"The man he spoke to obviously had no answer to that. All he did was make his gaze travel to the f
Chapter thirty threeElizabeth brewed eight cups of coffee, fixed them beautifully on a tray and lifted it in her hands. With it, she strode round the mansion with the hem of her skirt swooping over the floor, searching for any living soul to no avail.It was empty…Where was everyone?A gunshot from outside made her heart jerk. She took the next few seconds to panic and suck in enough strength to think of what to do next. But then, she suddenly stopped fussing when she remembered the men practised every morning, so the gunshot was justified. Clearly, everyone was outside.She walked towards the back door, the cups vibrating upon the saucers beneath them. At the door, she found all eight upon the lawn, occupied with one thing or the other to even notice she was around.Faking a wide grin, she declared, "Good morning everyone! Who's in for some coffee?"As if it was planned, all eyes fell on her at that instant. Then almost immediately, most of the eyes left her and refocused their att
Chapter thirty four"Be quiet, or he'll shoot you," the blonde heard her cousin say with her breath touching the back of her ear. Her chest rose and fell gradually, and she swallowed in fear.After careful strategy, Monica bumped Elizabeth aside and flung the dagger she held straight at Nax.It took a while for the man to realise the men's blabbering was just a distraction. And by that time, the blade had already dug a shallow groove inside his chest. Automatically, he dropped the gun and was forced to his fours. The general gasped, stealing anxious glances at the knife in him while he noticed the others surround him.Slowly, the man finally managed to look up at them, showing obvious streak of tired lines on his face, "Do not return that duchy to Monica Your Grace."The Duke was not surprised to hear that erupt from him all of a sudden. Instead, he sighed and squatted to reach him, "And you thought the best way to tell me that was by stealing the seal."Silence…The man lowered his h
Chapter sixtyTons of majordomos had been hired for the job, a dangerous one given the risk of being trampled upon. Continuously, they nudged their bodies against the crowd at either side of the cobbled street.As Elizabeth had put it, it was the grandest event in England; everyone wanted to see!Two carriages made of white oak and gold prints rolled upon the stones just between the hustling and bustling lines of the crowd at their sides. The majordomos were almost having trouble keeping them behind the invisible tape. But when the carriages came to a halt, the uproar just doubled.Uniformly, footmen stalked to the doors and pulled them open, tipping their bodies down in a half bow for whoever was to emerge.Now everywhere quietened except for the murmur streak of anxious waiters.Carriage one released the English blonde, bound in a dress that almost filled the space behind her. As she was helped down the steps, the sun came in contact with the gems on her white garment, shimmering wi
Chapter fifty nineThe Duke found himself in a mix of feelings. Admiration. Wonder. Gratitude. Love.And slowly, he let go of his own sword and widened his arms invitingly, "Then get in here before I change my mind."Damnation to her spine and ego. Monica let tears run down her cheeks as she half ran to the lad.Jason was smiling in admiration.Anna and Rebecca felt a new warmth in their hearts.The Princes were nodding approvingly.Earl Robinson burst out laughing in mirth as he let the scene rage his mind.Speaking of happy endings, Earl suddenly had a frown on before, later on, he started across the snow." Where are you going?" Asked Raymond worriedly.The Marquess faced his friends one last time to say, "Anywhere apart from here. While getting too engrossed in such a beautiful scene. I forgot the vessel for bad luck I left at home who'll soon become Marchioness of my empire.""Good thing I'm married," Jason smiled, "who knows she may have chosen me for such a suicide mission."Ea
Chapter fifty eightIt had been nearly hell for the lass. Now it was useless threatening to kill one of them. As Monica gawked at the angry mob of armed noblemen, she realised unfortunately that no height of her skills could change the fact she was greatly outnumbered.She had started to shiver while they kept closing in on her. Even the victim she had in her clutch finally managed to free himself from her shaky grip.Now she was there, naked to any attack they planned to lay upon her. Now she had no choice but to do that one thing she hated most; surrender.Ever so slowly, she lifted both her hands in the air and glanced through the people. But then;"Move away! His Grace approaches," the loud voice came from somewhere within the crowd, stealing attention and causing a murmur streak.Monica gasped fearful. The last way she wanted to die was by the hands of the one she loved. Now she was trapped, he had come to end this once and for all.Now the crowd parted into two to form a path in
Chapter fifty seven"Earl!" She grinned and almost went to embrace him. Rather than what the Marquess should have done, he frowned and stepped back from the window through which he'd thrown it. After a wave of dismissal, he snarled, "I knew Jason was up to no good. Now get out of here before we both get caught."The lady obeyed instantly, jumping to her feet and pacing towards the stables. That was when the real war began.The crowd rushed to her sadistically, almost surrounding her. She joined her lips to a line. As much as she was desperate to flee, she vowed not to kill any, as innocent as each as. But a little bone breaking won't hurt wouldn't it?Even with the impossibility, Monica stopped and began throwing fists and avoiding attacks coming her way. With her actions, the number was increasing and closing in on her. New plan…She suddenly remembered how the bonds existing between members of a clan and how sentimental they could be about each other. At the thought, she reached fo
Chapter fifty sixThe men stopped and faced her, fear almost shielding their beautiful features. A pistol was aimed at them, but better scrutiny made them realise the attack was posed to Philip.Monica stalked deeper with the aim of her gun straight at the brown haired lad. But as much as his friends were tensed, the Duke hadn't batted an eyelid. Instead, he glared straight at her, into those sad, green eyes, daring her to shoot."Don't be insane Monica!" Peter said with a voice forced into a low growl. "Drop the weapon!"The lady never flinched a muscle. And while she thought her move was fearfully and threatening, Philip Forland just smiled at her, "Save your breaths, she won't shoot." He tilted his head, turning it into a grin just before he sighed, "She can't."Monica's stare hardened narrowly. And of course, she knew he was right. He knew her, her strengths, her weaknesses, capabilities, inside…through and out.And the familiar feeling of vulnerability before him dawned. The grip
Chapter fifty fiveMonica knew she was running out of time; her restlessness had just increased now that her movement was restricted to within the borders of the estate.And then the new marriage date was approaching.For the first time since her imprisonment, she looked at the doors with obvious intentions. After taking deep, necessary breaths, she strode to them and shoved them open.Her strides doubled, then tripled...until she began running upon the marbles. Dark hallways, galleries, stairs, foyers and even more stairs before the Duchess's drawing room faced her.That was the point she realized she was insane. Well she was that a long time ago, wasn't she. Monica had smiled at the thought and finally gone through the doors.Seems mother and daughter were deep in a serious conversation...Rebecca rushed to her feet in what looked like fright.Anna however, frowned disapprovingly at the lady before them.But the frown turned to something lighter and slightly confused when Monica fel
Chapter fifty four"I wish things returned to the way they were," the Marquess confessed with his gaze on Philip. The latter was arching again some distance away from the rest. He was unusually fast and aggressive, harbouring a frown that had never left his face since dawn.Raymond sighed and replied, "Why did she have to run away? I want to forgive her completely. But then, it seems far more difficult than it should be."Nobody wanted to reply to that, but it did change the aura to something dark. For more moments than they knew, they studied the young Duke far away vent his frustration on the arrow board.After pretending long enough, he flung his weapons aside and sucked in long, needed breaths.Earl of Vetcom frowned at that and finally heaved a sigh, "I need to correct this." He turned to leave.Before he could walk away, Earl Robinson declared sternly, "I may not be in the know of what nonsense you plan to do. But for things go back to how they were , Monica needs to return to o
Chapter fifty-threePhilip leaned back in his chair and swivelled with both legs upon his desk, goofing around with a gun in his hands and a wicked smirk on. His five friends took simpler seats around him with their gazes in one direction; before them.With her hands still tied to her back, Monica was shoved down her knees right before their very eyes, red hair falling over her face to shield half the grim she had on. They were smirking down at her like a prize they'd finally won!Monica almost spat at the majordomo who had ruthlessly handled her through the crowd of guests, into a carriage, right through the empire's gates and up the stairs.But now, she faced the Monarchs with her teeth gritted and jaws clenched, her eyes travelling round them in the angriest of stares. Sweat dripped down her bowed face and trickled down to the floor.It was the Duke's next words that brought her attention up to them again, "How do you want it lads, an arrow through her skull or her head under a gui
Chapter fifty-twoThe last few days flowed routinely and looked like an attempt to fix everything that was once ruined. The days of revival.The Duke's empire had been filled with hustling and bustling movements for the forthcoming wedding. If the Dowager Duchess had never been serious with anything in her life, she took this phase of trials easily and tried to restore the estate, even if it was the last thing she did. At least to give Philip time to get back on his feet…although it seemed to be taking forever.As confident and eager as Elizabeth had been of Philip's return, it has taken literally no amount of his apology for her to pull him back into her embrace. And with a smirk on her face, she had patted his hair and agreed to marry him again. All thanks to Monica.Now the days were crawling by quite slowly and the wedding was hearing, one that the Duke was somehow not looking forward to. Lately, he'd been searching for a darker place to hide, to be away from all the chatters conc