Chapter 37 Enemy revealed
“What…what the hell is that?” Isabella stumbled, holding the wall for support as she put some distance between herself and Lucien.
She watched as he glanced at the papers trying to figure out where it theyme from.
“Someone is trying to take the throne.” He muttered, before folding the note and stuffing it back into the box.
“No!” She squeaked, her face white. “She can't have been right.”
“What?” Lucien walked to her. “Who?” His tone was confused, but he was concerned with how pale she looked.
“T…take it away.” She pointed at the parcel that lay on the floor.
“It's nothing,” Lucien said in a bid to pacify her. “Empty threats made by a coward too afraid to show his face.”
Isabella shook her head in disagreement. “The threats are not empty. He's going to do them.”
Lucien scoffed. “You have so little faith in me.” He took her palms in his, trying to comfort her.
“Y…you don't get it.” She sighed exasperatedly. “His threats are not empty. He's going to do exactly what he said.”
Her voice broke. “War is coming, Lucien.”
The room fell silent, with both of them left in their own thoughts.
“How do you know that? You don't even know who he is.” Lucien murmured, breaking the silence.
“I do,” she croaked. “I'm sorry.” She said when she saw his expression darkening.
“I only just found out, a few moments before you came in.” She explained hurriedly. “My… Victoria Thorne was here.”
Lucien whipped his head up. “The Victoria Thorne? Your sister?”
“Victoria Thorne.” Her lips curled in disdain as Lucien referred to Victoria as her sister.
“She stepped out just as you came in. Actually, I sent her away. I should have known.”
Her eyes travelled to the parcel still on the floor. “Can you please have that taken away? I can't concentrate.” She said in fright.
“Marcus!” Lucien growled, summoning Marcus. “Take this away. Have the note burned.”
Isabella sighed in relief as Marcus closed the door behind him.
“You feel better?” His voice was laced with concern.
“Much better.” She nodded, stepping away from him as she walked to the window.
“I'd thought she'd come here just like previous times, to lie and get into my head.” She paused.
“She didn't?” Lucien asked, more like urging her when she took too long to continue.
“Her husband is behind it all, Lucien. He wants me.”
The room became chilly as Lucien's expression darkened.
He hissed. “What?”
Isabella shivered. “He plans to take the kingdom away from you and have me for himself. My blood is very important to him.”
“And you know this, how?”
Isabella looked away, her focus on the scenery outside even though she couldn't see anything because of the tears gathered in her eyes.
She shrugged. “I just know.” Her voice was low.
Lucien sighed as he made his way to her. “That is not going to work, Isabella. I need to know everything.”
His voice softened. “If I'm at least going to go down, then I have to know what my enemy is capable of.”
“I was supposed to be married to him.”
Lucien drew a sharp breath, making Isabella turn to him in surprise. “I assume you knew.”
“Ah,” she smirked as he shook his head. “Actually, I think saying marriage is a stretch.” She wondered, her hands on her jaw in a dramatic style.
“I was supposed to be auctioned to him. I would have been his toy, his…”
“Enough.” Lucien interrupted her sharply.
“You don't wanna know the rest of the details?” Isabella turned her head coyly, her expression showing amusement.
“Victoria however, became his wife in a twist of events.” She continued, her sigh heavy as she returned her gaze to the view outside.
“And then you found me.” Lucien supplied.
“Yup.”
They both fell into silence, consumed by their thoughts.
Lucien placed his arm protectively round her waist, as he drew her to himself. “It's okay to be scared.” He muttered into her ear.
Isabella trembled, her breath shaking, a thousand and one things running through her mind. “I'm not.” She whispered, her voice betraying her.
“I'm going to protect you, Isabella Thorne. Even if I die trying.”
“Don't…” she stopped him. “Don't make promises you're not going to keep.” Her tears fell.
Lucien closed his eyes, hurt at her disbelief in him. His nose on her hair as he inhaled her scent.
“I'm sorry.” She muttered. “It's just the fact that he's ruthless. Lord Harlan.” She stopped.
Lucien opened his eyes.
“He has Lord Harlan. He's not going to give up easily. Who knows who else he has?”
“He has Lord Harlan?” Lucien grimaced.
Isabella nodded, afraid that sobs would come out instead of words when she opened her mouth to speak.
“What else do we know?”
He slowly untangled himself from her as he sat down.
Isabella watched as every emotion left his face, until he was totally expressionless.
“I think he has a personal vendetta against you.” She joined him, taking the sofa opposite him.
Lucien nodded. “ And you too.” He pointed out. “Then it's only a matter of time before we start seeing his works.” He continued.
“This is going to blow into a full war, Lucien. We're not ready for that.”
“I agree.” He grunted. “But that won't come immediately. If he's as ruthless as you say, then it's only a matter of time before we see him.”
“What do you mean?” Her sweaty hands arranged her already ironed gown.
She was nervous.
“He'll come for you first.”
Isabella groaned, realising the implication of what Lucien had just said. “I really thought we were past that?”
“I thought so too.” Lucien's sigh was heavy.
“We're gonna have to revisit our earlier arrangements.” His tone held finality.
“Earlier arrangement?” Isabella was confused. “What…ohh.” She muttered, understanding dawning on her.
“Yeah.” Lucien nodded. “I'm tired of playing games with you, Isabella.”
“Are…are we going to confess our feelings for each other when the kingdom is facing attack?”
The words were not meant to be funny, but Lucien laughed. “If you put it like that.”
His words made Isabella smile. “I heard you, you know.” She muttered shyly, her face turning red at the remembrance of him confessing his love to her.
“What?” There was a hint of tease in Lucien's voice, despite his straight face.
“The day before, in your chambers,” she trailed, too shy to go on.
“Ohh,” Lucien nodded. “The arrangement,” he repeated, bringing them back to the present.
“I'm not going to summon you.”
Isabella’s ears blew hot. “You're having me arrested again?” Her voice was aghast, filled with disbelief.
“No, no!” Lucien said hurriedly, dismayed that she had misunderstood him.
“What I'm saying is, you retain all your freedom and your dignity.” He rushed the words.
“Why?” Isabella said simply. “Why now? Why are you doing this now?” Her voice broke.
“Because I can't stop pretending.” Her tone matched the flatness in her voice. “I can't stop pretending that sitting this close to you, does not make me lose focus.”
He stood up slowly and walked back to the window. “And now, it seems that I'm going to lose you, so why continue in pretence?”
He stretched his hands backwards at Isabella and she rose, taking them.
“There is something I need you to do, Isabella,” Lucien said as he used his fingers to touch her jaw, making her stare straight into his eyes.
“What?” She mumbled, urging herself not to get lost in his oceanic eyes.
“Your sister is going to come back. He will send her back to you. You're going to accept her.”
“I don't have a sister.” Isabella’s voice was cold.
“Isabella?”
She looked away, but he was not deterred.
“Hey, look at me.” His voice was soft. “You can do this.”
Isabella swallowed, forcing a sob back to where it came from.
“How do you know she's going to come?” She asked the one question in her head.
“Because she will.”
“I can't, Lucien.” She closed her eyes as memories of her earlier years surfaced.
“I can't,” she repeated, breaking into sobs.
“She…” The words broke as Lucien claimed her lips, forcing her to swallow the remaining words.
Isabella struggled slightly, before giving in.
“I think you can,” Lucien spoke, breaking away as he allowed her catch her breath.
“You don't know, you don't understand.” She refused, her lips swollen as she looked everywhere but his face.
“Look at me, Isabella.” His voice was firm.
“Isabella?” He called again, forcing her to look at him before looking away almost immediately.
“You're right, I don't know. I can't understand. I can't relate to what you've been through. But there's something I know…”
The sincerity in his words, made Isabella look at him. “I'll be with you, every step of the way, Isabella Thorne.”
The weight of his words hung heavy in the room.
“Promise?”
“Promise.” He muttered as he took her in his embrace.