Chapter 16

Fay opened her eyes the moment the first rays of the rising sun touched her face. She felt terrible, like she wouldn't have slept at all. Emotionally she was completely drained and numb. That wasn't a bad thing, she really didn't want to feel any more pain. Determinedly she got up and washed her face in a water bowl.

Her eyes were still somewhat red and swollen after all the crying, but cold water helped a little. Her chambermaid Amelie came in soon and helped her getting dressed. She was a sweet girl and normally Fay enjoyed talking with her, but not this morning. Right now, she needed all her strength in order to keep herself together.

"Are you well, my lady?" Amelie asked.

Fay forced a smile on her face.

"Yes, thank you. I… I didn't sleep well."

"Oh, I am sorry to hear that. Is there something I can do for you?"

"Actually yes. Could you inform the Lord Elijah that I would like to speak to him?"

"Of course, my lady."

"Thank you."

Fay closed her eyes and took a deep breath after Amelie had left. She needed to be ready. Hopefully she hadn't angered Elijah yesterday. He wasn't a bad man and he had never treated her cruelly. Surely, she could be a good wife to him. Surely, she would learn to be with him and eventually forget Niklaus. Did she really have a choice?

Obviously, she couldn't believe a word Tristan had said and even if she could, would she really want to become Tristan's toy? No. Elijah wanted to wed her and that was more than someone in her position could ask for. Things could have been much worse. She stood up as she heard a knock.

"Come in."

The door opened and Elijah entered her chamber.

"Good morning," he stated cautiously. "Your maid told me that you wanted to see me."

"Yes," Fay replied, smiling as politely as she could. "Thank you for coming."

He nodded and closed the door behind him.

"First of all, I would like to apologize for my behavior yesterday," she started. "I didn't mean…"

"No, no," he cut in. "I apologize. I never meant to scare you, I… It seems that I was…misinformed."

"By Niklaus," she murmured.

"Yes," he replied tensely. "He told me that you have certain feelings for me and obviously that wasn't true."

Fay hesitated, trying to choose her words carefully.

"You are a good man and I respect you."

"Thank you, I appreciate that." He paused, biting his lower lip. "Niklaus told me what happened. With Mikael. I am truly sorry."

Fay froze and quickly bowed her head. Why had Niklaus told Elijah about that? A flush was rising in her cheeks, she felt mortified.

"It's alright," he assured quickly. "I don't think any less of you."

"Thank you," she murmured.

"I apologize again for jumping on you like that. If I would have known, I would have never… Please forgive me."

"It's fine," she murmured. "I was also misinformed and I… I would be honored to accept your proposal."

He was quiet for a moment and she didn't dare to look at him.

"Fay… I would very much like to take you as my wife, but… I don't want to force you."

"You wouldn't," she replied quietly.

"What about Niklaus? Do you love him?"

Fay felt a nasty sting in her heart, but she didn't flinch.

"He doesn't love me," she replied as calmly as she could. "He never did. I understand that now and I accept that."

He nodded.

"Alright. But you did love him?"

"Yes. I can see now how foolish that was."

"No, it wasn't. Niklaus certainly didn't handle anything well and I'm mad at him because of that, but I do believe that deep down his intentions were good. He wanted to take the responsibility for his actions, but obviously he failed miserably."

"I suppose so," she murmured.

"Nevertheless, he is still my brother," Elijah sighed. "I cannot abandon him."

"I understand."

"Knowing that, would you still be willing to wed me?"

"Yes," she stated quietly. What other choices did she have? She couldn't stay here after Elijah and his family would leave and she had no other place to go. Being Elijah's wife was a much better option than being his family's slave. Elijah walked over to her and gently lifted her chin in order to see her eyes.

"Are you sure?"

She smiled and nodded.

"Yes."

He smiled too as he kissed her hand.

"I am happy to hear that. And I am looking forward to having you as my wife."

She kept smiling although her heart ached. She was grieving for Lucien and felt the pain of Niklaus' betrayal, but she also needed to think about her future. She needed to agree to this if she wanted any kind of future.

"You don't have to worry, I understand that you need time," he assured. "We can wait as long as you want."

"Thank you," she replied, although she knew that she couldn't wait very long. The sooner she would be his wife, the sooner she could feel at least somewhat safe. That was all she had wanted for a long time. To feel safe and maybe even loved. Maybe she would even have a home.

That sounded almost too good to be true. He was willing to give her that and in return he deserved her affection and loyalty. She needed to try her hardest to make him happy. He was a good man and surely, she would learn to love him.