The characters from the game belong to Capcom. The OC's and story background belong to me.
A/N: I'm not english native speaker, so you might find some typos or grammar mistakes, I do apologize for that.
Castle of Edonia, Days Later
"Dear Angelique,
I'm writing you this letter to apologize. To ask your forgiveness.
I have made some mistakes that don't allow me to sleep at night.
Restless, I can't focus in my duties and be the man I should be.
Now I realize how corrupted I have been for my feelings… and these feelings are getting me distant from the man I was supposed to be.
I have been dishonest. My principles have been shaken. My moral have been disrupted. I feel guilty all the time.
And before this madness takes me away, I write you this letter in my last attempt to do the right thing. The thing I didn't do when I had the chance…
I know I can't go back in time. None of us can… But I believe there's still time…
Time to do the right thing.
I want you to know I never had the intention to hurt you…or anyone… and that was my mistake!
Now everyone will get hurt…
I couldn't see it through… and shame is what's left of me…
I've committed treason without having the intention for it… until last night…
So before I fall to my disgrace, I give you back everything that once "I" took from you…
The awful truth…
I wish things were so different and I hope there's still time…
Time for you and Christopher…
And Olly…
Please, forgive me… and forgive my mistake for loving Katarina beyond everything…
.
.
God bless us all,
Pierce Northman"
Castle of Edonia, Early Morning
Pierce Northman was in his chambers packing his belongings when the sun wasn't even up. He couldn't stay in that place any longer and decided to leave before Katarina was up.
Remorse and lust struggled inside him. Even after a long bath, he still could smell her scent on his skin. Katarina's scent. Their lust scent.
Ah, a part of him wanted to feel her again. Even after a decade, she still had the power to intoxicate him and drive his feelings crazy. His skin crazy.
Their nights of passion for the past week almost resuscitated, if it was resuscitated for some moments, a side of him he thought was dead. A part of him that died the day Katarina chose Christopher over him. In a time that he had all his love to offer her. All his fidelity to offer her. All his loyalty to give her. A time he was capable of being her accomplice in her schemes.
He no longer wanted to be that man again. After all the hard work, he did to kill that man inside him… and he was only capable of doing it with the dedication and sweetness of Elizabeth.
He admitted he married her without love and not for the right reasons. He married her in impulse and needy. His heart was orphan of Katarina, broken into several pieces and for nearly twelve years, Elizabeth helped him gather all the pieces and bloom a type of love he never felt before. Calm, gentle and trustable.
He fell in love with Elizabeth in a way that wasn't disturbing, but strong enough to make him not want Katarina's lust back.
He and Elizabeth had gone through many difficult moments to achieve their stability. Elizabeth was good and kind. That was her essence. They suffered together when they were almost unable to have their own family after all the miscarriages she had.
He was ready to only have her as his family, until the day their hope was restored when she gave birth to their firstborn and then a miracle happened and she gave birth to twins.
Over the years, they struggled with Elizabeth's fragile health, and she had been ill before he came to Edonia.
Months had passed since they had last seen each other. Every day he made sure to write her a letter, to update her and to reassure her he was still with her even in the distance.
In all those months, the best part of the day was when the messenger delivered her letters to him and he waited anxiously to the next delivery.
He was relieved Elizabeth was healthy again, but all that changed after reading the content of the letter of Angelique's letter.
The mistrust seed had been planted that day
And then he grew suspicious of Katarina's activities. She hired Nicholas Keane as her spy and personal messenger. And then her secret meeting with the Walker's.
Initially he just observed them at distance. He knew Katarina was up with something. And something behind Christopher's back. The man she yelled to the world she loved.
How could she do that to him too?
He knew Christopher had finally surrendered to her love and did learn to love her back. He adored her. He loved her with passion. It took a long while, but that had finally happened. He was even jealous of her. A jealousy that not even himself had been capable of feeling for the stunning brunette.
Christopher had almost beat up Leonard in one occasion. Actually, he almost hit any other man who stepped closer to Katarina in inappropriate way, according to his evaluation.
Even himself had been reason for reprehension whenever he and Katarina were seen alone. Christopher always made sure to show that Katarina was his to whoever needed to see that, especially the male crowd.
Christopher had finally buried Angelique for Katarina, and how could she be capable to act behind his back after all those years of struggle to make him love her?
Was she a player or what?
And then one day, when they moved to Edonia, Christopher said those words… gave him that order
Flashback
"You'll be my eyes and ears when I'm not around Katarina. I need to know the men she has contact with"
"Why me?"
"Because she trusts you"
"But…"
"But nothing. That's an order! The same way Lucy is her eyes and ears, you'll be mine"
"So it's Lucy who told her about Cathlyn back then?"
"Yes. She planted the suspicion seed in Katarina's jealousy and since then Katarina has believed Cathlyn has been my mistress"
"Isn't she?"
"Of course not! Whatever I feel for Cathlyn is under control, but I cannot control her actions…only my reactions"
"So what if Lucy or Kat see me peeping her?"
"Easy. You have the excuse you still love her…"
Pierce gasped, "I don't love her"
"But it's your best excuse to ease her suspicions about your actions"
"But Elizabeth…"
"Look! If I could stay 24hours for seven days a week with Katarina I would! But I can't. I have other things to do and I need someone to be my right hand and support in my absence. I only trust you!"
Pierce let out a long sigh in defeat, "Is there anything in specific you mistrust about her?"
"Yes. The origin of the black powder she's taking. She keeps hidden in different places in small glass bottles. She usually drinks with liquid and only when she's alone. I need to know who the sender is and what's that for."
"If she didn't tell you, why would she tell me?"
"She might not tell you either, and that's why you will follow her everywhere and do whatever you need to find out. With me around she avoids taking it. I only noticed that in a few times she thought I was sleeping and I caught her in action, but I pretend I haven't seen it"
End of Flashback
How he regretted staying longer in Edonia! How he regretted not had taken his family with him.
He couldn't continue sleeping with Katarina to obtain all the info Christopher wanted. He couldn't sleep with her again. He couldn't cheat on Elizabeth again.
He could no longer be Christopher's spy.
He expected that what he obtained would be enough to ease Christopher's curiosity on the matter.
He couldn't face the brunette again. Her flesh was still too fresh on his own. His male guts enjoyed her libido, but he was more than just libido.
He had a conscience, and now after being corrupted. It was about time to break all the silence he kept all those years.
Once upon a time, he believed Katarina's eternal love for Christopher.
Now he had doubts if she ever really loved his best friend and superior.
He wondered if he had been an accomplice in keeping separated those two simple souls in order for Katarina's biggest whim.
He wondered if Katarina was really capable of loving anyone else besides herself…
.
.
Pierce Northman no longer was Katarina's lap dog.
Royal Bedchambers, Morning
Katarina was standing in before the large mirror. She touched her face with her fingers, analyzing it. She made faces as she massaged her face skin.
She walked to the bedside table and opened the drawer, retrieving a small glass bottle from it.
She looked to the sides looking for some bottle with liquid. No alcohol, no milk or water. Not willing to wait any longer, she turned the bottle inside her mouth and used her own saliva to drink the black powder.
She heard knocks on the door and quickly hid the bottle inside her dress' cleavage.
"Come in" she yelled arranging her makeup
"Milady…"
Katarina looked through the mirror's reflection, noticing the astonished face of Lucille, "What face is that?"
"I didn't find His Grace Northman anywhere"
"Maybe he left for a haunt…"
"No, I don't think so…"
"Why?"
"I heard one of the guards saying he left before the sunrise in a carriage with all his belongings"
"Weird… was there any emergency?" Katarina said thoughtful
"Not that anyone heard of…"
"Any news on Charles?"
"He's still alive, but the Privy Council have discussed his succession…"
"And who will be his successor?"
"We still don't know. They were waiting for some letter of Charles, as far as I heard"
"I waited too long! Fucking time Pierce decided to leave! I need to go to Bohma and solve my situation!" the brunette spoke annoyed, "Any news on my husband?"
"He's still in Bohma"
"Doing what?" Katarina almost yelled and let out an annoyed sigh, "I do not even know why I ask what he might be doing… he might be enjoying his time with that bitch!"
"Cathlyn?"
"Who else? Is there anyone else now?" Katarina yelled getting jealous
"Not that I know of…"
"Dammit! I cannot wait his return nor the Privy Council's decision… I need to make my move before is too late!"
"What's your plan?"
"Tell to prepare a carriage and call Leonard. I am heading to Bohma!"
Green Hills, Bohma
Angelique was in the backyard tending the garden when she heard her mother-in-law calling her from the door.
"Letter for you"
Angelique removed the gloves and kept them in her apron's pockets as she walked over the older woman and grabbed the papers from the woman's hand
"This stamp… It's Northman's insignia. Why is he sending you letters?" the woman asked with a tone of mistrust
Angelique shrugged, "I don't know… I'm about to find out"
The older Talbot didn't hide her curiosity, but her curiosity would have to wait as she heard knocks on the door.
Alone, she read firstly Pierce's letter.
The redhead was aware that the Duke of Bohma was behind her separation from Christopher. They had discussed that already. She couldn't say she had entirely forgiven him, but she tried to reason it in a more optimistic way. If he had allowed her to meet Christopher, only god knows how her life would be by now. Probably she'd be living with Christopher's alms only because they had a son. Maybe she would be his casual mistress like Cathlyn. Maybe they'd have more children. Bastards. She wouldn't be so happy like she is now. She'd be living a misery and have a bad reputation as the mistress of the governor of Edonia or whatever he'd be…
And she didn't deserve that. That was not what her feelings for him were made of. And either ways she'd have respected the worlds they lived and their differences. Either ways she'd let him be with the stunning noble woman and their child. Olly didn't mind being a bastard.
A noble child was a noble child and Maddy was such a little angel that she'd never allow her to have a bad fate and be disgraced. Either ways, she would chose over her love for Maddy.
If Pierce had allowed her to stay with Christopher, she wouldn't have the simple and happy life she has now with the Talbot's. She wouldn't have George and his complete loyalty. His full love and little piece of heaven they made with love. Yes, she did learn to love George in such caring way that she no longer could see herself without him and his support.
Maybe Pierce made the right decision and allowed her to live the best with George. She took long to allow him to enter her heart, but the moment he did, she had no regrets and wondered why didn't she do it before.
Possibly the dowser was right. Her fate was written and nothing would change that. Her fate was not to be with Christopher. Yet, he'd always be her first love and the man that taught her to be better. The man that opened her up to the world. The man who made her a woman and gave her another piece of heaven, Oliver. She'd be always grateful for that.
She'd never forget Christopher, and she didn't want to. She had accepted that he was not her final destination, he had been the path for her destiny with George. As his destiny was with Katarina.
She felt lighter the day she stopped fighting that fact.
Pierce had been forgiven now.
Then she started reading the other letter. She bit her lips as she fought the tears forming in her eyes. She couldn't believe what her eyes were reading.
(*)
Margareth headed to the door, yet her mind still focused in the curiosity of what Pierce Northman had to tell Angelique. At first, when she received the letters from the messenger, she thought of not delivering it to Angelique as she imagined the content was about Christopher, but after a second thought, she decided she didn't have that right. Maybe it was something very important and she wouldn't forgive herself if anything bad happened to her family because of her selfish act as she remembered Angelique had asked for his help to intervene for Maddy.
Knocks again.
"I'm coming" she yelled noticing the impatience in the other person outside. Probably a guard to collect the taxes as they had that habit of being impatient to wait.
She took a small bag with coins and headed to the door.
Her heart raced when the wind outside blew in her way, as her eyes widened in shock.
"Lady Talbot" the man spoke with a serious tone
"Your majesty…"
"May I see your daughter-in-law?"
"She…" the woman spoke hesitant
"Don't lie to me. I know she's there. I saw her when your son left and she hasn't left ever since"
"I wasn't going to lie… I just wondered if she is willing to speak with you. I should ask her first"
"She doesn't need to speak with me. I just want to see her"
"Why? You can see her at the castle…"
"You know I don't need permission to enter the manor and even less I need to give you any explanation of my motives to be here… but I'm doing it the nicest way. So may I?"
The woman was completely opposite to that man's presence at her home. Still, she was aware of his position in the kingdom and there was nothing she could do to go against him if she intended to not go to prison.
Defeated, she slowly opened the door so he could pass, and followed him close.
(*)
Angelique was sobbing as she read her father's revelations.
Anger, disgust, deception bombarded her mind. Crushed her heart. Torn her soul apart.
She knew he never really liked her, but be an accomplice in her assassination seemed to be too much even from him, despite his physical abuse that she still carried the scars on her skin.
She could still feel the taste of blood in her mouth remembering it. Her skin still remembered the pain of the aggressive contact of the punches, kicks and pushes.
Reading that made her remember as if it was just yesterday that it happened. The bruises had disappeared, but the memories were very much clear in her mind.
For years she struggled with those memories and one of the biggest reasons why she never allowed anyone to touch her ever since, and why she took so long to allow George touch her skin even in a kind way.
Her skin still hurt after years. As if her flesh was still exposed to the pain inflicted.
The only touch that didn't hurt her was her son's.
The man that gave her life was a monster.
Katarina was a monster!
She didn't even have time to finish reading the letter, as she could only read until the part the brunette's name was mentioned and her money. And to make her day worse, she heard that voice.
The voice that once was music to her ears, was now reason to her panic.
She looked around looking for a way out. How could she face the husband of the woman who paid for her assassination?
How could she face the man that brought hell to her life?
The panic consumed her. She was cornered in the backyard with no way out. She hid the letters in the apron's pocket with lots of difficulty. Her blurry eyes and trembling body.
As the steps came closer, her heart seemed to be about to explode.
The blurred vision turned into darkness. Her legs failed in weakness
Her mind was gone.
(*)
"Angely!" they screamed simultaneously as they found the redhead lying on the ground, unconscious.
Christopher turned her up in his arms and checked her vital signs. They called her name nonstop as he tried to bring her back
"Go call doctor Vladimir!" he ordered in despair, carried her to a chamber, and lied her in the bed
.
.
"Angely, please. Wake up…"
Thank you Pin for the review! :D
And they finally met! Almost twelve years later they finally met!
The wheel of life is finally turning...
Stay Tuned!