MAGNOLIA AND DANIEL SAT ACROSS EACH OTHER SILENTLY, both avoiding each other’s eyes. They had not seen each other for a few days—since the funeral—and they had not spoken since the day they received Geoffrey’s body.
They sat there for what felt like hours as the heavy rain outside tapped against the windows and the blazing flames in the fireplace crackled.
“How have you been?” Daniel finally broke the silence, but he was still unable to meet his wife’s gaze.
“Horrible, as I am sure you can imagine.” Her voice was low and cold.
“Right.”
Magnolia looked at him, and as soon as she did, her eyes softened. Daniel looked as exhausted as she did.
His dark circles and red eyes suggested that he could not sleep and probably cried a lot, just like her. He was disheveled and it appeared he had not shaved in days.
There was not even a hint of the confident and proud Duke of Salicera, the man sitting in f
Chapter 70! :)
MAGNOLIA RUSHED AWAY, putting as much distance as possible between her and Daniel. She knew that her resolve would falter if she heard him call her once more. His voice was filled with despair, and it broke her heart. She took fast steps to her room where Killian was waiting for her. He did not need to ask her about the result of her conversation with the duke, her tears gave it away. “Do you still want to do it?” he asked. “I owe it to my son,” was all she said. Magnolia grabbed a small bag and packed a few things, not many. Geoffrey’s peluche, the book Killian gave her, and the money she had. “I am ready.” “Mag, are you sure about this? You love the duke.” “Love has nothing to do with this,” Magnolia snapped. “And yes, I am sure.” She left the room first before her brother followed. When they reached the entrance, they found Henry standing there while holding two horses. “Your Grace, at
“HOW LONG HAS HE BEEN STANDING THERE?” Laya whispered. “I am not sure, but at least an hour,” Henry answered. They were outside of Daniel’s office looking through the little opening of the ajar door. The duke was standing immobile, looking out of the window. He was lost in his thoughts like he had been every day since the duchess left the castle. “Lord Flock,” the butler got their attention, he was holding Ben in his arms. “The doctor said that the puppy has fully recovered, but I have no orders as to what to do with it now.” Henry eyed the dog for a moment, and something sparked in his eyes. “I have an idea,” he said before taking him from the butler’s hands. He caressed the cute puppy a few times. “Can you help him, Ben,” he whispered into his ear before opening the office door a little wider and gently pushing the dog into the room. The butler joined Henry and Laya, the three of them watched with anticipation as
DANIEL SAT SILENTLY AS HE READ THROUGH THE DOCUMENTS. Paula waited for him patiently while fidgeting with her dress. She had wanted to tell her nephew everything for a long time, but she knew he would need concrete evidence to believe it. After she had received word from Henry about Magnolia's plans and what happened between her and Daniel, she decided to step forward with the information she had. Her heart ached that he had to find out about the past like this, especially while going through his recent loss, but he needed to know where his loyalty should be. “And you have interrogated this man yourself?” Daniel asked. “Yes, he was the only survivor,” Paula said. “Everyone else involved in your parents’ accident is dead. It appears this man fled before the king’s men could reach him.” “You have put yourself through great danger to get this information, Aunt Paula.” Daniel clenched his jaw. “I don’t regret anything, he
“HIS MAJESTY WILL SEE YOU NOW,” the guard announced. Daniel nodded at Henry before stepping toward the open doors. Laya and his knights were on alert close by. They already had their orders, in case things got out of hand. “My goodness, Duke Van Konigl, it has been too long,” the king said as soon as Daniel entered. “It has, Your Majesty.” Daniel bowed. “Thank you for accepting to meet me, even in such a short notice.” “Nonsense, I always enjoy your company. Please, have a seat.” Daniel complied. He was surprised that the king was alone in the room, apart from the footman serving the tea. He was sure the rooms surrounding them were filled with royal knights though. “Thank you,” Daniel uttered when he placed a cup of Earl Grey in front of him. “I’m sorry to hear about what happened with your adopted son.” The duke clenched his jaw at the mention of Geoffrey, especially the word ‘adopted’. Even if the
DANIEL HAD TAKEN ONE OF THE HORSES FROM THE ROYAL PALACE STABLES. He was not going to ride the carriage back to the house, it would have taken too long. He was almost frantic. Titus had said that Geoffrey was alive and that he would find him at his house. Daniel nudged his horse to go faster. The people in the streets were making way for him, it was the wiser choice when someone was riding that fast in the city. ‘Could he have lied to me?’ His thoughts were scrambled. ‘But he has no reason to, we all believed and accepted that Geoffrey was dead.’ Then, he thought of Magnolia. The way her eyes looked at the funeral had haunted him. She looked like everything inside her had withered and died. ‘I need to tell her as soon as I see Geoffrey.’ “You have a choice, Daniel.” The king’s words resonated in his head. “You saw how easy it is to lose everything, right? Especially now that your wife turned out to
“STILL NOTHING?” Daniel asked as he entered the library. He was finally able to step away from Geoffrey after he fell asleep. He made sure there were knights guarding him, both inside and outside the room. “They are definitely using a blockage spell,” Laya answered. “I can’t locate either of them.” Daniel sighed. “Geoffrey has been asking for his mother, is there any other way we can use to locate them?” “I’m afraid that if they don’t want to be found, the only way would be to break that blockage spell.” Laya shrugged. “Can you?” “I am not a God.” Laya sighed. “I can try, but I have very little to work with here, Daniel.” “Please, just do your best.” Daniel knew that he was asking too much of his old friend. She even postponed her return to the Tower for his sake, knowing that she would be scolded when she finally went back. But he really needed to find his wife, to tell her about Geoffrey and warn her about
THE SITTING ROOM WAS BRIGHT, which was not common in winter afternoons. It was surprisingly sunny. Of course, the winter sun only provided light, no warmth at all. The fire was blazing in the fireplace and next to it, Geoffrey played with Ben. “I do not appreciate being left in the dark, Daniel,” Paula reprimanded. The duke looked at his aunt for a moment. He felt guilty for lying to her, or rather, hiding his plans from her. But it would be better for her in case he failed. She would at least not be involved and hopefully be safe from any punishment. “You bring us to this hidden place and tell me to stay here until you come back to get us. What are you going to do, Daniel?” “Aunt Paula, it’s better if you don’t know. I want you to stay safe so please don’t ask me any questions.” Paula pressed her lips together but did not complain anymore. “This place is like a fortress, no one can sneak in so you will be safe as long as the g
KING TITUS STOOD ON THE RAISED PLATFORM, ready to address the guests. Queen Monika and Princess Aurora were standing behind him. They looked as merry as he did. There were many people standing around. The men who were participating in the Hunt stood on the left, the spectators to the right. “It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to this year’s Winter Hunt,” Titus announced. “We are honored to have many guests from neighboring countries, this year. I hope that you enjoy this tradition of ours that we have maintained for hundreds of years.” “I’m surprised he remembers this tradition and not the one where the king must be a pureblood,” Henry whispered to Daniel. “I also hope that this will be the first step to developing relations with our neighbors, for the prosperity of all,” the king continued. “May the Gods protect you and send preys your way. Let the Winter Hunt begin.” Titus raised a wine glass in the air before the guest mirrored his ac