Chapter 218 TEIGEN XLII
This is what life as a powerful nobles daughter was. All pretense, a beautiful face was only ever to carry a beautiful smile, warm, delightful, sweet, elegant, ripe and ready for marriage, trained to be the perfect wife.
It was futile to dream of marrying your mate, as a lady. No, there was never any real time to wait for your mate, you would be married off, chosen as a mate and then discarded once you bore children, tossed aside, ignored, forgotten.
I would never accept such a life. Never.
Her hand on the door handle, she could feel the shocked eyes of the maids that stood silent watching her. She did not care. They would surely spread gossip, it was all they were better for.
A palm slapped against the opening door, slamming it shut right in front of her face. She gasps, stepping back only to bump into Lord Sawyer's front.
She pales, chills running down her spine. Whirling around she came face to face with him, too close, so close she could smell him, the tea he had drank still fresh on his breath.
His hand beside her head, his larger form trapping her between himself and the now closed door.
"Don't" her voice quaked, all her composure breaking, anger dissolving into fear.
Lord Sawyer's face saddens, "Please love, do not run from me" he traced the curve of her cheek, his eyes following every action.
"You kissed me!"she whisper yells, tears forming behind her eyes. "And I cannot tell anyone to come to my defense because I will be labeled as an ill reputed lady, a fallen noble lady, my father's name will be stained. No one will believe that nothing obscene happened, this scandal will break my father" she sobs
"We were alone in that tent, by your doing I am sure. No one will believe I did not want it, they will think I seduced a man of your status to secure a match, they will murder me and my family" tears drip down her cheeks.
Lord Sawyer's eyes soften at the sight, "please do not cry love" he uses his thumb to swipe at the tears but Elara turns her head away, repulsed by him.
He grips her jaw hard enough so she could not shake it off, "You will not need to tell anyone to come to your defense, the scandal will not break your family. I will take responsibility for my actions"
He raises her head, forcing her eyes to meet his "I am deeply sorry my love, I could not control myself. I desired your body in my arms" she grimaces, "it fit so perfectly, soft and reverent I was carried away, blinded but believe me. I swear to the goddess that I will do right by you, because I love you Elara"
Elara shudders, 'what!?'
Lord Sawyer loves me!?
No, no, no, no.
"Do not fret, I will marry you"
She stills, all the colour draining from her face. No, he can not.
"I will claim you as my bride. Think of it, as you have fallen in love with this estate we will escape here for our honeymoon and in time you will learn to love me as well" he declares dreamily, he dares to be hopeful, deluded, even joyed by the idea.
"You are mine-"
Elara snaps, slapping his hand away from her jaw and shoving against his chest. He stumbles back, an audible gasp could be heard from the maids. No doubt enough bits of their conversation had been heard, enough to spread gossip about. But she would not be here to find out.
"I will not marry you. Whatever happened was your evil doing, you trapped me, you disgust me. I will never love you, I have only resent for you" she snarls "Do not believe that my choice to keep quiet means I will be docile and decide to allow your claim on me. Never Lord Sawyer"
Lord Sawyer is taken aback, fear and even sadness wears his face "Please love, do not say such-"
"Stop!"she commands sharply.
Turning around she pulls the door open and walks out, turning she gives him a side look over her shoulder and declares "I will be leaving your estate tomorrow. Thank you for your hospitality my Lord but I wish to never see you again"
With that she slams the door and strides away. But her victory and bravery will be short lived because what was waiting for her back at the Duchy would break her very soul and heart to pieces.
Laughter and chatter streamed from under the door, surrounding Elara as she walks into her chambers and sees her ladies seated together, gossiping about something. Which after they realised she walked in fell silent, clearly revealing she was the esteemed topic on their lips.
Sensing the tension and silence that settled her eyes immediately went to Winnie. Winnie was not like Philippa, she was docile, could not tell a good lie no matter what, she was as innocent as a child, sweet, bubbly, talkative and easily influenced so yes she would always be the tattletale of the group.
"Winnie, what is all the laughter about?"
"Well-"
Philippa interrupts, "We were just all chatting"
Did she just dodge my question?
"Winnie tells us Lord Sawyer summoned you to speak, how did it go?"
Camila, Winnie and Philippa all look up at Elara, waiting for a response.
She scoffs "It went....decently"
They all raised a brow, giving questioning looks. No, not decently, horribly, that was how it went. They expected to hear words like excited, heart racing with blushed cheeks and shy glances. Some indication that their exchange may have sparked a deep connection and some sizzling affection but all they had was.. 'decently'
Was it enough reason to panic? For Philippa yes, because she was the only one who knew why Elara felt so much disdain towards Lord Sawyer, well she knew only half of it. Ryker was the only one that knew the full story.
Elara noticed the weird looks she was getting so she decided to drop the bomb, better get it over with then. "Hope you girls have enjoyed your time here, we leave tomorrow" she announces, waiting for the influx of questions to invade my ears.
Stunned silence was all she got. Huh, no rushed words, no steps following after her as she walks
over to her dressing chambers and starts pulling off dresses into her traveling chests. Soft footsteps pad over, stopping besides Elara.
Philippa places her hand on Elara's shoulder, "Milady, is everything okay?"
Elara frowns, "Yes"
Philippa picks up a sense of hostility and withdraws, "What happened with Lord Sawyer?" her voice drops to a low whisper "did you confront him about the incident?"