Chapter 15 CHAPTER FIFTEEN
ROSALINDA
'Because I made sure he died that day.'
Valerius's words echoed in my head for hours, like a cold tormenting loop that clawed at any hope of sleep.
'Because I made sure he died that day.'
The phantom whisper was relentless, staining the fabric of my quiet chambers with a truth too grotesque to bear.
'Because I made sure he died that day.'
FUCK!
I jolted upright from my bed, the silk sheets tangling around my legs like vines, my heart hammered as I grabbed my robes, I flung them on and for off my bed. Just as I stepped out of my room, I stumbled, nearly colliding with my father who I hadn't realized was standing in my path until now.
"Dad, what are you-"
"We need to talk." He stated, his voice devoid of its usual warmth. He turned, already walking away.
"But, I have something to-"
"NOW ROSALINDA!" he ordered, his tone sharper than I had ever heard before. The force of it made me flinch.
"Okay sir." I mumbled as I trailed behind him, the soft thud of my slippers against the marble floor the only sound besides the frantic rhythm of my own heart. We walked in silence until we reached my dad's personal library, a vast chamber that felt colder than usual tonight. To my shock, Valerius was already there. He stood next to a towering arched window, gazing out at the starless night.
My father slammed the heavy oak door shut behind us, the sound reverberating through the vast room. Valerius's head turned with an almost imperceptible grace, his blue eyes first fixed on my fathee then on me. He straighted and bowed slightly. "King Theron. Princess Rosalinda."
"What's going on?" I demanded, my voice cracking slightly as I stared at both men.
My father stepped forward, his face grim as he gestured towards a heavy leather bound armchair near the fireplace. "You might want to sit down for this."
My heart which was already hammering hard now escalated to a frantic drum solo, I feared it might deafen me. Numbly I nodded, walked towards the chair and sank into its plush depths. I looked up at them, my eyes darting between my father's stern face and Valerius's unreadable expression.
"What's going on, Dad?"
He took a deep breath as he leaned against a shelf, his gaze momentarily flicked towards Valerius who merely raised an eyebrow. "I overheard your conversation with Valerius earlier," my father said, his confession leaving me breathless.
This couldn't be good. I looked over at Valerius who seemed unfazed about that.
My parents had always disapproved of Grayson, saw him as beneath me, a common serving boy, a distraction. And Valerius had just confessed something I desperately wished was a cruel, twisted joke.
"It's exactly what you're thinking," Valerius stated, his voice slicing through my tangled thoughts.
"That what?" I seethed, the tremor returning, but this time it was fueled by rising fury.
"I-" my father began, taking another series of deep ragged breaths. He looked like a man drowning, each words felt like if was weighing him down. "Rosalinda, you have to understand what everything I did...was to protect you and this kingdom,"
I shifted uncomfortably as I sat still, my eyes never leaving him. "Dad...what are you talking about?"
"I knew about Grayson's death. Actually, you could say I had him killed."
The words hit me like a physical blow, stealing the air from my lungs. The world titled as a sharp piercing sound filled my ears, drowning out everything.
'Because I made sure he died that day.'
'I knew about Grayson's death. Actually, you could say I had him killed.'
No.
No.
NO!
Valerius was known to be a monster but my father- our King! The man who had taught me nothing but honor, justice, fairness had just admitted to knowing about Grayson's death? The boy who had once been my everything?
My heart shattered in my chest as hot tears rolled down my cheeks. "I- you're lying," I whispered, my head bent low.
I refuse to believe it.
I won't.
"Rosalinda-"
"TELL ME YOU'RE LYING!" I screamed as I looked up at him. But his face held no remorse or guilt, even Valerius who was an arrogant bastard had more emotions etched on his features than my father right now. "Why, father? Tell me why you'd do such a despicable heinous thing?!"
"Rosalinda-" Valerius steps forward, my father was about to object but he shook his head. "Let me handle this." He warned, I was shocked to see my father standing down, but deep down I knew he deserved more than this little humiliation. Valerius stood few feet away from me, he let out a deep breath as he ran his hand through his hair.
"Let me explain everything to you. It's high time you know the truth."