Chapter 213: Striking Silhouette
Claire said nothing.
"I thought so." He turned around and descended down the stairs to talk to his men.
She hugged herself, finally allowing the tears to mingle with the raindrops that streamed down her face.
Was it so obvious?
Well, it must be. He ruined her. No other man would ever live up to her expectations now.
Because they weren’t him. They wouldn’t touch her the way he did, they wouldn’t look at her with cold eyes that always changed to something warmer when he saw her or was aroused.
Heavens!
She swatted her forehead.
It was becoming an obsession. Wasn’t it supposed to be the other way around?
And funnily enough, it had nothing to do with him being the King as many people assumed.
The ship began to steer backwards when Zach returned.
Even in the dark, she could see that his jaw was tense and his shoulders were stiff.
He knocked on the door where Aurora was and waited.
When there was no response, he opened it.
"The little lady seems to be asleep." He called out to her over the din of the downpour.
Claire nodded.
Then he came to her side.
"Do you love him?"
Claire said nothing.
"It doesn’t matter if you love me. My love is enough for the two of us. I know the way men of his calibre treat women - I see a lot in my daily travels."
She contented herself to listen.
"I am certain he cut ties with you as soon as you received the lands and title, didn’t he? And do you know why?"
She shook her head, even though she really did not want to hear what he had to say next.
"Because women of your calibre will demand marriage of him whereas a peasant cannot but accept the attentions of her master."
Could he be right?
Yeren had indeed suggested that they cut off all ties.
Was that his real reason for suggesting that to her?
Claire shook away the thought.
"Let’s just enjoy the view. Some things just cannot be explained with words."
He said nothing.
When they reached the shore, there were calls for the anchor to be dropped.
Then he went into the inner chamber and carried Aurora out.
Her heart was shattering in two at the way his broad shoulders sagged.
She couldn’t hurt Zach... not after everything he had done for her and Aurora.
But she didn’t love him - and knowing she could never love him would break him eventually.
But what if she could? What if she could forget all about Yeren with time?
She should have listened to her guts and accepted Zach’s proposal before her feelings for the heartless King became deep.
The men, who were all drenched, gathered to bid her a good night. Most of them voiced their wishes to see her again, even when she had barely spoken to them.
Aurora’s guard who had been standing by the carriage, took Aurora from Zach and placed her on the seat of the carriage.
"Are you coming back with us?" Claire asked, finally gathering the courage to break the choking silence between them.
He didn’t bother looking at her, but she saw his fingers twitch.
"No. The carriage will take you there and come back."
She laid her hand on his shoulder. He tensed under her touch but didn’t move away.
Then before she could think better of it, she raised herself on her toes and placed her lips on his.
He didn’t respond or try to kiss her back, but she felt some of the tension leave him.
Claire tried again, pressing her lips harder.
It was what it was.
A pity kiss.
But she still felt like she was betraying...
Why did he hover over everything she did?
His lips moved slightly under hers but other than that, he didn’t react.
"Good night." She said, pulling away.
Then she climbed into the carriage and the door was closed after her.
What was wrong with her!
She ran a hand through her wet hair.
He was everything she had ever wanted - he was devoted, he was kind, he was handsome... and now he was amassing an impressive amount of wealth.
Yet she preferred to beg for crumbs. Had she lost all her common sense?
But those were her childhood fantasies, a voice in her head said. The woman in her had begun to crave something else, something that was hard to find.
The drive was a long one, but she was too lost in her thoughts to notice or care.
Aurora was curled up in the chair, sleeping under the blanket that Zach had given her.
They would have to return it - he needed it more than they did.
When the carriage finally stopped in front of the house, she had begun to dose off.
Her hair was still slightly damp and matted to her head, but her clothing had begun to dry in some places.
The door was swung open and Aurora was taken out first. She stirred as her guard held her in his arms, muttering something no one could understand before falling back into her slumber.
Claire slid out after them and closed the door.
As she rounded the carriage on her way to the front entrance, something felt odd.
Her thoughts began to spiral.
Did Redmare decide to pay her a visit? Or Lord Bronan?
She shook her head at the latter - he would never call to see her at such an hour.
She stepped into the house, instantly noting the difference in the temperature of the interior compared to the chilly rain she had just left.
Her maids came out from the hallway that led to the kitchen.
Both their eyes bulged when they saw how wet she looked.
But she didn’t care.
She rushed up the stairway to her own room and opened the door.
Then she closed it and leaned against it.
The room was dark, but even so, she could make out the silhouette of someone sitting on her bed.
Her heart began to pound.
The scent was familiar, very familiar, but she brushed it off.
Yeren would never pay her a visit.
But she realized how wrong she was when the figure rose from the bed and began walking towards her.
There was no mistaking it was him.
Even in the dark, she would recognise him anywhere.
Lightning struck, lighting the room ever so briefly. But it was enough to confirm the identity of the man standing before her.
Where was Perlwick? Why hadn’t he informed her of the arrival of her... guest.
"Your Grace." She mumbled, backing away as he came closer.
She backed away until she felt the wall behind her.
What did he want with her now?
This side of him terrified her out of her wits. Her heart began to pound so loud she feared he could hear it.
Then he closed her in, placing both hands at the side of her head to prevent her escape.
"You went to see him, did you not?"
