Chapter 13

4 weeks later

Mag walked in the garden, enjoying the sunlight. The day was beautiful and most of the court had gathered in the garden to enjoy it. As always, there was plenty of food, wine, ale and entertainment. A bard was singing and playing lute while few jesters were juggling and the servants made sure that no one was hungry or thirsty.

Mag had seen how the servants were treated here and she couldn't understand how that seemed to be perfectly normal to these people. Not to mention she wasn't comfortable letting someone else to do everything for her. She had gotten used to work, not being served like she wouldn't have two perfectly good hands. Also she couldn't understand how the nobles wasted food while many servants didn't get nearly enough to eat.

The truth was that she didn't enjoy the life of a noblewoman at all. The same thing couldn't be said about Rebekah. She was sitting under the sunshade with few other ladies; they seemed to be having fun. Finn was talking with some nobleman and Kol enjoyed the attention of couple of pretty noblewomen.

Elijah and Niklaus had joined few other noblemen who were competing to impress the ladies with their archery and axe throwing skills. Niklaus was just throwing the axe and once again he hit the target. A group of ladies, including the Count's daughter, clapped and complemented him. Niklaus bowed and smiled at the Lady Aurora.

Mag's heart was aching and she hoped that her husband would at least look at her. He didn't. She had tried her best to talk to him, but he didn't want to listen. He had been more than cold toward her, he had been downright cruel. He had said that she could "grief" as long as she wanted now. Without him. She hadn't fulfilled her duties as his wife; he had made that more than clear.

Maybe she hadn't been the best wife after losing her son, but she still didn't think that she had deserved that kind of hostility from her husband. Maybe she should have just let him use her body, even if she hadn't wanted it. Apparently his needs came first and she had failed as a wife when she hadn't fulfilled them.

She turned around and walked away, she really didn't want to watch Niklaus sweet-talk to other women. He had probably done more than sweet-talked to them already. As far as she knew, he hadn't spent much time in his bedchamber. Where he spent time then, she didn't know. Her heart felt heavy with pain as she walked faster until she was running. All she wanted was to get away. Away from Niklaus and everyone else. She headed to the stables and asked for a horse. The young stable boy brought her a beautiful chestnut mare.

"Thank you," she said and tried to smile at the boy.

"Just one horse, my lady?" the boy asked.

"Yes, thank you."

She knew that it was inappropriate for a noblewoman to go riding by herself, but right now she didn't care. It was a relief to ride away from the castle. Yet she stayed at the estate, of course she understood what could happen to a lonely woman. When she was far enough, she dismounted and petted her horse for a while before sitting on the ground. Some part of her wanted to cry, but she didn't shed a tear.

The truth was that she didn't have any idea what to do. She was tired. What would she do, if Niklaus would abandon her here? She didn't think that his siblings would abandon her, but did she really want to go with them if her husband didn't want her anymore? What choice did she have, there was nothing for her here.

Tears were coursing down her cheeks now, no matter how hard she tried to stop them. She lied down on the ground and allowed herself to cry. She hated herself for being so weak. Her mother had been through much worse. She had been captured and sold to a man who had mistreated and abused her. She had lost two children.

What right did Mag have to complain? Niklaus didn't hit her or force himself on her. She could take his coldness. She would keep her head high and deal with it. They were still a husband and a wife, even if he didn't want her anymore. Fine. He could do whatever he wanted with whoever he wanted; she wasn't going to care anymore.

"My lady?" a male voice suddenly said.

She startled and quickly dried her eyes before getting into a sitting position. Lord Tristan was just dismounting; Mag couldn't believe that she hadn't heard his horse approaching.

"Are you alright?" he asked. "Are you hurt?"

"No, no," she replied quickly and got to her feet. "I am fine, my lord."

She didn't dare to look at him, but she felt his eyes on her.

"What are you doing here?" he asked. "Where is your escort?"

"I… I wanted to take a ride," she murmured. "By myself."

"Surely you know that is not safe for a lady such as yourself?"

"Yes, I… I should go…"

He stepped in front of her, blocking her way to her horse.

"You seem upset, my lady," he stated.

"No, no, everything is fine. Thank you for your concern."

"Hmm. It's a shame to see tears in such lovely eyes."

"No, I… Everything is fine."

"Yes, so you keep saying. Tell me, does Lord Niklaus know that you are here?"

She looked up, confused by his question.

"No, I do not believe so, my lord."

"Is he the reason why you were crying?"

Mag swallowed, she didn't like where this was going.

"I should go back," she murmured.

"It's alright, I understand," Lord Tristan said. "He does not treat you well, does he?"

"He does."

"I doubt that. But I understand you feel you must be loyal to him. I am guessing that your marriage was arranged."

"Yes, it was."

She startled when he suddenly touched her hair.

"You can trust me," he hummed. "I can protect you."

"What? No, you are mistaken, my lord, I do not need protection."

"I believe you do." He paused and cupped her face. "You can talk to me, my lady; I wish to be your friend."

She didn't have time to pull away when she heard a male voice.

"Oh, my apologies, I didn't know anyone was here."

Quickly Mag took a step back and looked at the man who had suddenly appeared from somewhere. She recognized him as one of the noblemen she had seen couple of times. Lord Francis, if she remembered correctly. He smiled and bowed at her.

"My lady, you look lovely."

"Thank you," she murmured.

"My lord," he greeted Tristan.

"Lord Francis," he replied. "Excuse us for a moment."

"Of course, my lord."

"No need to worry," Lord Tristan assured after Lord Francis had left. "I will make sure he won't say anything about this."

Mag stared at him, she was confused.

"What?"

Lord Tristan raised an eyebrow.

"I assume you don't want your husband to hear any unpleasant rumors?"

Mag's eyes widened.

"What rumors? You and I were only talking…"

"Yes, but perhaps it would be best if he won't hear about that. Do you agree?"

Mag wasn't sure what to say. She hadn't done anything wrong, but even if she would have, would Niklaus care?

"I will make sure there won't be any rumors," Lord Tristan assured.

"Thank you, my lord," she murmured.

"No need to thank me, my lady. As I said, I wish to be your friend. You can count on me."