Saving Her Kingdom

♡ Chapter 51

Chapter 51

I let out a breath, walking determinedly towards the stable to go galloping with Belle. I knew I needed to release all my pent-up frustration, or I would snap at someone, and that would be unacceptable.

Yesterday, Lord Rutherford had confronted me about my real identity. He had discovered me. Shuddering slightly, I felt my lips tremble at the memory, while my eyes began to water. There was really no hope to stay truly hidden then.

Now that I thought about it, I hadn't defended myself too bad, given my initial shock. I had never imagined that I would have such a confrontation with Lord Rutherford. Although, I was surprised that he hadn't made a move earlier, since he had supposedly known my identity for some time already.

I closed my eyes for a second and curled my lips in dissatisfaction. Why were they just so recognizable? It had happened twice now, that someone had discovered me without my control, just because of my eyes. Yes, I knew that they very similar to the ones of my mother, and a part of me warmed at the idea, but their color was too 'specific' for my current situation. I shook my head, my steps getting more purposeful. There was nothing I could do about it, so I should stop getting frustrated about it.

I sighed, walking around a bush towards the backdoor of the stable directly. I would take the saddle immediately so it would take less time. I passed the threshold of the door, only to slam into the back of someone.

"I'm so sorry!", I said not recognizing the person instantly.

He turned around and froze. I held back a gasp. Jacob! He narrowed his eyes at me, making his gaze drill into mine. My hands clenched immediately, my heart starting automatically to pump faster for a potential imminent danger.

I took a wary step back. His eyes flashed and he growled lowly, certainly not intending for me to hear, "You!"

Not a second later, he had grabbed my arm and was forcefully dragging me behind the stables. I opened my mouth to shout a protest, but he quickly clamped a hand over my mouth, murmuring in my ear, "If you scream right now, your reputation will be forever ruined."

I tensed. He was right. We were completely alone right now. And if my reputation was questioned, I could definitely not marry Thomas.

When he finally stopped, releasing my mouth, he said almost politely, "I have a few things to tell you, so I would be grateful if you didn't run away."

I pressed my lips together, my expression tight. Why would I listen to him?

His eyes flashed with warning, "And I know your secret, so there's no point in running away from this conversation."

What?! Him too? I stiffened and then shuddered. It is almost a normality now, I thought bitterly. Someone else had acquired that information about me without my knowledge, again. I took a deep breath, bracing myself for what was coming. I didn't want him to see any weakness in me now.

"Fine. Tell me," I said, raising my chin at him.

His expression was unmoving, his gaze cold as ice. "I really don't get how my brother is so taken with you," he stated.

At this point, I wasn't even surprised that he knew. I pursed my lips. "I can't really help you with that."

"And I hate that you make him so miserable," he spat at me.

I looked down. "Well, I don't wish that for him," I said, chagrined.

"But you know what you have to do!", he exclaimed, "You're not that dumb. You know that if you accept him, he will get better, but you chose to make him stay that pitiful and miserable," he clenched his fists, "That shows how truly evil you really are. Just like your father."