Chapter 175 Chapter 175: What if I believe him?

Chapter 175 Chapter 175: What if I believe him?
~ Raven's POV ~

I walked out of that medical chamber, each step feeling heavier than the last.

My chest hurts and my eyes burn from holding back tears.

He said ‘ I missed you.’

Liam's words kept replaying in my head.

Part of me wanted to believe him. I wanted to run back into that room and throw myself into his arms and believe every word he said.

But the other part, the part that had woken up in that cabin, the part that had run through those woods, and heard those men laugh about delivering my head in a box, was screaming at me to run, not trust him.

I barely made it to my chambers before the tears came. I leaned against the closed door, my whole body shaking.

Annie looked up from where she'd been folding clothes. "My lady, what happened?"

"He said he missed me." My voice came out with sobs "He said he's been searching for me. He said he loves me."

Annie crossed the room and pulled me into a hug. "And do you believe him?"

"I don't know!" I pulled away, wiping my eyes roughly. "I don't know what to believe anymore, Annie. What if he's telling the truth? What if the curse really is broken and I'm pushing away the man I love?"

"Or," Annie said carefully, "what if it's not broken? What if this is another trick? Don't forget he cheated on you with her, my lady.”

I sank onto the bed, burying my face in my hands. "I can't do this. I can't go through that pain again. When he said those cruel things, it nearly destroyed me."

"I know." Annie sat beside me, rubbing my back gently.

"What if I believe him and he hurts me again? What if tomorrow he wakes up and hates me?"

Annie was quiet for a moment, then she squeezed my hand. "So what do you want to do?"

"I want to run." The words came out before I could stop them. "Let's pack our things tonight and disappear before he wakes up tomorrow. Before I make the mistake of believing him."

"Then we'll leave," Annie said simply. "I'll start packing."

"Thank you." I squeezed her hand back. "For always standing by me."

"That's what family does."

That evening, I avoided Liam's chamber entirely. I sent another physician, an older man from Duke Vincx's staff to check on him.

The physician returned looking frustrated. "The king refuses treatment unless it comes from you, Your majesty."

Raven wasn't surprised that he was addressing her as ‘ your majesty.’ Everyone must already know she was his runaway wife.

"He'll have to accept it," I answered rudely. "I'm not available."

The physician bowed and left, clearly uncomfortable with the situation.

I spent the rest of the evening in the library, trying to distract myself. But I couldn't focus.

A soft knock at the door made me look up.

Dorian stepped inside, bowing respectfully. "Your Majesty. Forgive the intrusion."

"It's fine, Dorian." I closed the book. "Did Liam send you?"

"No, actually." Dorian looked uncomfortable. "I came on my own. May I speak with you?"

"Of course." I gestured to the chair across from me.

He sat down, his expression serious. "I need to tell you something. About the king."

My heart sank. "What about him? Is he sick?”

"No, my queen. It's something else. I've known Liam since he was a boy in the mines. Before he became king." Dorian leaned forward. "And I know him better than anyone. Which is why I need you to understand something important."

"What?"

"He truly believes the curse is broken. He truly believes he loves you." Dorian paused, choosing his words which made my heart sink more.

"But Your Majesty, when I saw you treating him, I recognized the divine power around you immediately."

I went cold. "How would you recognize divine power? Only magical beings can identify it."

Dorian looked uncomfortable, shifting in his seat. "My father taught the ancient text about divine creatures. I learned to recognize them.”

The explanation felt weak, but I was too distracted by his next words to question it properly.

"The reason I mention this," Dorian continued, "is because I'm worried about something. The king keeps Princess Julie in the palace. And she is still alive which is weird "

My stomach dropped. "What?"

"She's working as a servant, yes. Scrubbing floors and being humiliated daily. But he hasn't executed her." Dorian met my eyes. "Your Majesty, he killed her father. He killed everyone else involved. Why would he keep her alive unless some part of him still cares for her?"

"No." I shook my head, standing up abruptly. "He said he hates her and he made her a servant to punish her."

"Or he made her a servant to keep her close. Where he can see her every day." Dorian's voice was gentle, almost pitying. "Your Majesty, think about it. The curse made him believe he loved her for months. What if those feelings didn't completely disappear? What if they're buried, but still there?"

I felt like the ground was disappearing beneath me. My hands gripped the back of the chair to steady myself. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because Liam is my friend and my brother and you're his queen. And you deserve honesty." Dorian stood, walking toward the door. "Think about what I've said. And if you decide to leave... I'll make sure you get away safely."

He bowed and left the library before I could respond.

I stood there, frozen, his words echoing in my head. No. It couldn't be true.

But what if it was?

What if the curse's effects were still there, buried deep? What if Liam thought he loved me but really still wanted Julie?

I couldn't breathe. I walked towards my chambers and met Annie packing. She looked as anxious as I am.

She looked up from what she was doing and then noticed me. “ My lady,” she rushed towards me as I sank against her.

“ Annie, please, take me out of here, please,” I pleaded brokenly.

“ My lady, I am almost done. I swear it, I am almost done packing and we will leave immediately.”

She didn't ask me why I wanted to leave immediately, she just agreed. She hastily packed the remaining things and threw them around her shoulders.

And she led me away into the night, away from Liam. And I hope I never see him again.