ONE LAST TIME

ONE LAST TIME


Michael’s POV

“How is she?” Lord Worthington demanded while we were taking a stroll. I had joined him that morning for a walk right after breakfast.

I smiled. “She’s doing much better. The doctor came this morning and cleaned up her cut. He said it should heal up nicely in a week,”

Lord Worthington nodded. “Good to hear. She gave me a scare when I saw you carrying her in your arms yesterday,” he replied, and then stopped.

I sighed. “I had quite a scare too but I’m glad she’s doing well now. She just had breakfast in our chamber and I’ve asked her to lie down,”

Lord Worthington smiled and continued walking. I was beside him, taking slow steps.

“She’s so strong-willed. She takes after her mother,” then he turned to me. “You’re going to have to put up a good fight,”

“Like you’re putting up with Lady Worthington,” I replied.

He laughed and we continued walking.

“I used to think Life was unfair to me after it took my only daughter from me. But now, it seems life is repaying me in double folds. Not only do I have my daughter back, I’m going to be a grandfather. Isn’t that fulfilling?” Lord Worthingom said.

We stopped in front of the stables. “I’m the one who feels more fulfilled. Madison means the world to me and there’s nothing that can be better than that,”

He smiled.

I cleared my throat loudly and moved closer to him. “Can I ask you a question?”

He blinked. “Of course. And please, Michael, feel free to discuss anything with me. I might be the ruler of this province but to you, I’m a father. You should consider me your father,”

I smiled. “Thank you,”

“Your question!”

“Oh, yes!” I sighed and folded my arms across my chest. “There is a settlement at the foot of the mountains,”

“You mean the outcast town,” he said.

I nodded. “I heard the story behind their punishment and why they seem far from home but perhaps, do you think maybe,” I sighed. My voice was starting to trail off. “Maybe it’s time to..

“Over my dead body!” He fired back.

My heart skipped a beat.

Lord Worthington sighed. “Look, I understand you’re asking because you’re compassionate but trust me, Michal. This is bigger than you know. Those people have been sentenced to an everlasting ruin and there’s no redemption for them,”

I noticed the hard expression on his face and the passion with which he was addressing the situation.

“Do you think maybe they have long repented? I mean judging by the fact that it was their leader who facilitated the raid and he’s long gone, I suppose they don’t have to bear the consequences of his actions,” I managed to say.

Lord Worthington sighed. “It doesn’t matter. Every action has consequences and this should remind them for the rest of their lives and generations to come. They crossed a line. A bigger one,”

I sighed heavily.

He tapped me on the shoulder and walked into the stables.

I sighed, turned around, and traced my way back into the house. I marched straight to our chamber and saw Madison looking at some old family pictures of her parents.

She dropped the album aside and turned to me with a smile. Then she noticed my countenance and stood up.

I walked up to her with my hands on my waist.

“What’s the matter, my love?”

“I had a conversation with your dad about the outcast situation. I tried to see if it was possible to have his mind changed but,” I stopped and then shook my head.

“He’s never changing his mind I guess,” said Madison.

I looked up to her. “I’m sorry but I think you should stay away from them,”

She turned away.

I moved closer. “This is hard for me to say but at this point, you have to listen to me. Except you want to ruin the solid relationship you’re building with your parents. Perhaps in the future, things might take another turn and we might come up with the case but right now,” I placed a hand on her shoulder. “It’s time to let go,”

Madison turned to me with glassy eyes. “Of course,”

I hugged her. “I’m so sorry my love,”

She pulled away with a smile. “None of this is your fault,”

I sighed.

“I need you to do me a favor. I need you to take me there one last time so that I can see them and bid them a proper farewell,” Madison said.

\~~~~

“It’s time!” Madison tapped me on the shoulder.

I opened my eyes and immediately got out of bed.

Madison presented a cloak to me. “Your perfect disguise,”

I smiled, took the cloak, wrapped it around me, and kissed her. She wore her cloak, grabbed my hand and we stepped out of the room.

We tiptoed down the hallway and traced our way to the back of the house. It was a few minutes past 4am and at this time, the guards stationed in the backyard normally head back to their quarters before the ones on the morning shift take over by 5 am.

Madison understood this so she left home by 4 am, discharged her duties, and returned before 5 am before the guards could take over.

We slipped out of the house through the backyard and walked to the spot where the horse was tied. I walked up to the horse and was about to untie it when someone flashed a light.

Madison and I froze.

I held her hand and gave her an assuring nod. Suddenly, the lights went out and the person began taking steps toward us.

I could barely see his face but I could see that he was wearing the guard’s uniform.

“Eliot!” Madison recognized him before he reached us.

I sighed in relief.

Eliot walked up to us. “I thought you guys might need an extra hand,” he marched toward the gate and opened it.

We smiled and watched him untie the horse. Before mounting it, he handed over his flashlight to me. Madison and I stepped into the carriage and sat on one end while the baskets carrying the supplies were in the other direction.

Eliot wheeled the carriage outside and then stopped. He went back, shut the gate, and returned to the carriage.

Madison
leaned on my shoulder. “Thank you for doing this with me,”

I sighed. “One last time,”

“Yeah. One last time,”