Chapter 19
Amelia's POV
I stared blankly at the floor, my emotions in turmoil and my body was trembling, the conversation I had with the head maid came to mind.
***
I had just finished having my bath when the head maid entered to tell me that breakfast was ready. I smiled and thanked her, wearing a simple gown to go eat breakfast.
As we walked along the corridors, my mum drifted to the fact that Asher had left this morning to attend an important meeting. I was worried because he had been acting off lately.
It began ever since that bizarre white-haired man came over, the man known as Uriel. Asher would look at me and suddenly be angry, at times I find him pacing around his room, worry on his mind.
I didn't know how to help him so I decided to just give him space to sort things out. If anyone could understand what he was going through, it should be me. I knew what it was like to have something worrying you but not be able to tell anyone.
“You look worried, lady Amelia.” The headmaid said. I drifted back to reality at the sound of her voice, I looked beside me to find her dark eyes staring at me.
I smiled helplessly, scratching the back of my head as I chuckled, I averted her gaze, looking forward.
“Is it about his meeting?” She probed again, concern apparent in her voice. I remained quiet. She sighed, keeping quiet for a while before speaking up again,
“Young master Asher loves you a lot if that's what you are worried about. He had been miserable ever since Lady Isabella and his falling out with Alpha Damien, but you changed that.”
She looked at me again, this time I looked back at her.
“You brought light to the young master's heart and I really appreciate you for that. That's one of the reasons why you are so loved by the workers and inhabitants of the castle. We all love young master Asher dearly and we wouldn't allow anything to happen to him.”
I sighed at her words, her gentle smile calming me down a little.
“He's been acting a bit off lately, ever since he met that man called Uriel and I'm worried he might be getting into some dirty business because of him. That man was powerful after all.” I poured out. I immediately felt relieved, like a weight had been pressing down on my chest for a while.
I heard the headmaid giggle, my expression changed as I became confused. Had I said anything funny?
She looked at me and noticed my expression, she quickly composed herself, bowing a bit in apology.
“I'm sorry lady Amelia, it's just that Uriel is Alpha Damiens butler and he is just like family to young master Asher. He would never do anything to harm him.”
“Oh,” I said in realization, my heart calming a bit but confusion still closing my thoughts. Then why has Asher been acting weirdly lately?
“Actually, your guess was a tiny bit correct, sir Uriel had indeed been the cause of the young master's restlessness but not for the reason you think.” The head maid said, her expression turning serious before she continued.
“Sir Uriel had told the young master that Alpha Damien wanted his ‘property’ back,” she said.
My eyes widened, fear gripping my heart as I questioned,
“*You don't mean…”
“Yes, the property in question here is you, lady Amelia. Young Master Asher had gotten so furious but to make matters worse, young master Damiens had requested they settle the matter in front of the alpha council and that if the young master didn't bring you, he'd begin killing the young master's pack.”
My eyes got even wider, my leg faltering as I stumbled, the head maid quickly catchier me. My body was shaking with fear as terror gripped me.
Alpha Damien was coming for me, he was coming for me and with how brutal and cruel he was, he would probably get his way.
But wait, me being here right now means that Asher had gone against alpha Damien. No! I had to stop him, I didn't want him to fight that monster but I also didn't want to go back either.
I looked at the head maid, realisation hitting me. They were in danger, all the workers and inhabitants of the castle were in danger all because of me.
“Quick, you must leave. No, I must leave, you all are in danger. If alpha Damien finds out I ran off, he wouldn't attack, although he's cruel, I'm sure he'll be merciful for the sake of peace.”
I urged the head maid but instead, she just smiled at me.
“You are a really kind person, Lady Amelia, but you should have more faith in the young master. He isn't one to risk the lives of those he loves. If he went alone, then he most definitely has a solution.” She said, running her hand in circles around my back to calm me down.
“Don't worry, everything will be fine.”
***
I couldn't calm down. How could I when I knew Asher could be fighting that devil right now? That man showed no mercy to ladies, I doubt he would to men, talk less of the ones that crossed him.
I stood up, my body jittery as I began to pace around the room. I was getting increasingly restless. It had been hours now and Asher was still not back for the meeting. I was beginning to get more worried if that was even possible.
Then my door was pushed open. I looked at the guest, relief washing over me when I saw the familiar green eyes. I felt so happy and relieved but at the same time worried.
I was relieved that he was perfectly fine. In fact, he seemed to be a bit different in a way I couldn't describe but I also felt worried over my fate. Had he won? Was I going to continue enjoying my life or would I have to escape to avoid going back to that nightmarish way of living?
I had a little hope though, Asher loved me a lot, that should count, right? He wouldn't just let me suffer. I was beginning to calm down when all of my hopes were smashed against the ground by his question.
“Who is the father of your child.” He asked.
My eyes widened in shock, fear and terror overtaking me as I felt my mind go blank
No! No! No! I couldn't go back, I had to run, I had to run as far away as I could. What did Alpha Damien tell him, how did he figure it out? It must have been that maid, she must have told him. I should have known my facade wouldn't last forever, now I was done for.
“NO! I CAN'T GO BACK THERE!! I CAN'T GO BACK TO THAT PLACE! I'D RATHER DIE!!!!” I screamed furiously, my voice piercing as tears poured out of my eyes. I began to bolt towards the door, trying to run away as far as possible when strong lean arms caught me.
“Shhh…. It's okay, you won't go back. I won, you are mine and no one can change that, not even Damien.” Asher whispered into my ear, his voice calming me down as I wept in his arms.
All the emotions that had been piling up for weeks seemed to pour out and I wept for hours. Asher kept hugging me tightly, not letting go for even a moment, always trying to soothe me, to calm me down.
After a few hours of crying, I finally stopped. We didn't separate as he kept hugging me tightly. I couldn't see his face so I didn't know what expression was in it right now but I felt relieved to know I wasn't going back to Alpha Damien. But just to be sure, I asked,
“Are you sure? Did you really win? Will alpha Damien no longer try to take me away?”
“No, he won't, not ever.” He replied, his voice calming me even more.
“We really need to talk.” He stated, pulling away and looking me deep in the eyes to let me know I was serious.
I nodded, and then we talked. We talked for a really long time. I talked about my insecurities and the scars from my previous way of living, about how I couldn't stroll outside without wondering what everyone thought when they saw me and about how I always felt on guard, thinking alpha Damien would come to snatch me very soon.
He talked about his past friendship with alpha Damien and Lady Isabella and how they ended up breaking apart, about how he had cut off all ties with Isabella and how he thought alpha Damien was changing into something else.
After we were done, a lot of load seemed to have been cleared off my chest but some still remained and as if by coincidence, I could sense some withheld information from Asher's side also.
I think he could sense mine too but we kept quiet about it. Some secrets should be kept no matter what.
My secret was safe, at least for now.