Chapter 10

Lucien couldn't believe what he was seeing. This couldn't be true. Niklaus, his friend, was kissing the woman Lucien loved. The woman he had loved as long as he could remember.

"No…" he murmured, praying that the whole thing was a nightmare.

Both Niklaus and Aurora startled and turned immediately to look at him.

"You were not meant to see this," Niklaus said, like that would somehow make everything better.

"I trusted you!" Lucien shouted furiously. His eyes were watering up, he couldn't help it.

"Quiet," Aurora gasped. "I am meant to be in prayer. If anyone finds you here…"

"It's too late," Niklaus cut in. "The guards are coming."

Aurora's eyes widened in terror as she looked at Niklaus.

"My handmaids must have seen him enter. If the guards know, then Tristan himself has been alerted."

"I will deal with him," Niklaus assured.

"No, Niklaus," Aurora argued, taking both of his hands. "He is my brother."

"Do you think that he cares?" Lucien asked disbelievingly. Tears were coursing down his cheeks and he hated himself for it. "Do you not know what kind of a man he is? He is a beast!"

"Lucien!" Niklaus pleaded, taking a step towards him. "My friend…"

"We are not friends!" Lucien hissed. His heart was broken, and the pain felt unbearable.

"Go!" Aurora pleaded, pushing Niklaus towards the window. "Please Niklaus, you must go now!"

Niklaus hesitated for a moment before running to the window.

"Come, Lucien, follow me!"

Lucien barely heard his words; his legs could no longer hold him. He had never felt such pain. Slowly he fell on his knees, unable to stop the tears.

"Lucien!" Aurora pleaded. "Go, please!"

She knelt before him and took his hands. For so long he had dreamt of her touch, but now it burned like a fire.

"Please, go."

It was too late. Tristan had just entered the chapel, followed by few guards. His eyes widened as he saw Lucien and Aurora.

"You," he hissed venomously.

Aurora looked terrified, but she didn't say a word. Neither did Lucien, there was nothing left to say.

"Take him," Tristan ordered.

"Wait," a female voice suddenly said.

Tristan's eyes narrowed as someone appeared from behind a pilar. Fay. Her eyes were red and swollen, but her face was completely blank.

"I am afraid this is none of your concern, my lady," Tristan stated coolly.

"But it is," she replied as she walked over to Lucien and Aurora. "You see, I cannot let innocent people suffer for my sins."

"What sins might those be?" Tristan inquired.

She glanced at Lucien before looking at Tristan.

"He did not come here to meet Lady Aurora," she stated. "He is here to see me."

Tristan's expression didn't change.

"I see. And what exactly was the purpose of this meeting?"

"We are in love," Fay replied calmly.

Lucien stared at her disbelievingly. What was she doing?

"We wish to get married," Fay continued and glanced at Aurora. "Your sister offered to help us."

Tristan looked at Aurora.

"Sister?"

Aurora looked stunned, but she nodded.

"Yes… Yes, she is telling the truth, brother. I was only trying to help them."

Tristan turned his cold gaze to Lucien.

"You thought you had the right to court a noblewoman? Ruin her reputation?"

"No, no," Fay cut in before Lucien managed to say anything. "He has not done anything, my lord, I am the one who wishes to wed him."

Tristan gave Fay a patronizing smile.

"My lady, you are still too young to understand the deceitfulness of men like him. He will be punished for this."

"No, no, please, listen to me, he has not done anything…"

"Escort the lady to her chamber," Tristan ordered. "And take that scum out of my sight."

Lucien didn't struggle when two guards grabbed him. He glanced at Aurora, but she didn't look at him. The love of his life. He would probably never see her again. Fay was still trying to speak on his behalf. He didn't know why, but he was grateful that she tried. Her heart was just as broken as his, he could see that, but still she tried. She was a sweet girl and surely, she would make some man very happy.