Thought/Flashback/Dream

Chapter 32

"What are you talking about Elmont?" The severity of his voice alarmed Elmont but he pushed his worry away.

"You heard Sire. You heard everything I said…" The King was turning angry, truly furious, Elmont could feel it within him, threatening to spill over at any moment. And Elmont understood his rage, "I am that man"

He saw the man before him stood, and when he saw the light in the older man's eyes he feared, not for him but for her.

"So you enjoyed playing with my daughter?"

"What? No!" Elmont racked his brain, trying to think in what he could say to turn that situation in his favour.

"She isn't a Whore"

"Of course she isn't. What makes you think that from you own child?" He punched the table in fury, indignation taking over him.

"You slept with her!" It wasn't a question, Elmont knew but his astonishment was too explicit to be missed, the suspicions were confirmed. "My daughter, Elmont. You have disrespected this family, and defiled my daughter for you own pleasure. Do you even care about her? If you did, how could you do such a thing? How could you played with her heart?"

"I didn't play with her" he whispered.

"Then tell me if you aren't the reason for her sadness? For…"

"Elissa is fully capable of making her own decisions, which is why she objected to marrying Roderick in the first place and I never played with her. I love her!" Elmont replied, drawing himself up from where he sat, in front of the King "Why don't you treat her as the wonderful, intelligent and fully competent adult she is? Is she simply your daughter, or her own person? I care for her since I've been here in your service, you know that. And I have loved her ever since…" He wanted to say more, how he disliked the idea of her marrying Roderick, he wanted to say how they had grown to care for each other despite everything.

"Watch the way you talk to me, Elmont"

"You said once 'Loyal service means telling hard truths', it's truth that you don't see what she is capable of. She always tried to seek your approval, always trying to amaze you, trying to show how much she had grown…"

"Then why do this Elmont? I trusted in you," There was hurt belying the King's query and it made the truth of the matter sting as he thought on it. "Why did you had to sleep with her, if you love her, why did you have to ruin her?"

He didn't know what to do or say, for there was nothing that could truly prove it to a father's eyes. Deep within him, Elmont admitted that it had been madness brought on by his desire and love at first, but it was deeper now, more important, he loved her more and for loving her, he had to tell her father everything, to be honest with him when he hadn't been. The King was leaning over him, red in the face and understandably angry, but Elmont felt lost. What could he say to the man to explain to him, to stop his anger and understand his and her feelings? There was nothing to do…

"I was weak…" Elmont closed his eyes "I'm sorry" The captain muttered, repeating it several times. Though he should have foreseen something like this, he hadn't, all of his thoughts had been on Elissa, how much he'd come to love her more than he thought he could, how he couldn't bear to leave without surrendering to her touch once more. So foolish, foolish to think he could understand, to think the King would understand. His head was reeling, and he could barely think, hardly breathe. Elissa. He needed to see Elissa again.

"I could send an order to kill you, right now" Elmont slammed in the chair.

"I know…"

"But she would never forgive me." The King whispered. "She is marrying in 4days. Did you reconsider and decided to tell me everything now, looking for approval? Thinking I could stop her marriage?"

"It did not change what I feel for her only because I didn't told before. It's just… I…" Elmont shook his head, his fingers gripped his hair. His elbows rested in the table where the book lied forgotten, his head in his hands. "She made me believe she didn't love me…"

The King looked at the Captain and a memory of himself came to his mind. Sitting on the edge of his bed, his elbows on his knees and his head on his hands.

"You heard what she said to me"

"Aye… She said that she didn't love you" A young Brahmwell looked at Endin. "She's upset… And she loves you"

"You heard what she said!"

"Aye… And you believed in her but you only have to look at her. She loves you, Alright?"

"How can you be so certain?"

"The look in her eyes when she looks at you."

"How did you knew you loved her, Elmont?" Brahmwell was temped to believe in him, believe in his love but he had to know, he had to be certain.

"It was because I couldn't sleep at night…" His voice was soft but hoarse "…reality was better than my dreams… She was real."

Isabelle hurried through the castle; carefully making sure that no one was following her. She knew that her sister needed her and in this time but didn't knew if Elissa was awake, perhaps her thoughts were keeping her awake, she only hope. She looked out one of the tall windows as she passed by and shook her head. The sun would rise in a few hours but it was dark, the only light came from the moon.

Isabelle rounded a corner only to find Elmont striding towards her, with a deep expression. She tugged on her hood in an attempt to hide her face, but it was too late. He had seen her.

"Where do you think you going Princess?" he said, stopping in front of her. Isabelle forced a chuckled and tried to passed through him but he stopped her.

"To see Elissa"

"Dress like that?" he pointed out.

"mhm… Yes?" Elmont smile softly when he saw her expression.

"Isabelle…"

"Alright, alright… I was thinking in take Elissa with me for a walk. Happy now?"

"And here I hoped to have a quiet, peaceful time to myself" he joked and Isabelle smile softly.

"She's been sad, she's trying to hide but I can see and I wanted to ease her mind."

"You know I can't let you go" he said softly, Isabelle looked at him and saw distress in his eyes, he seemed anxious.

"If you had seen her in these months you were gone, you would be worried about her, Elmont. You would agree with me."

"I'm worried about her, more than you think, Princess. I agree, she needs peace and neither the King or Roderick are giving to her"

"Until recently you were demanding answers from her. You were pressing her" He looked away.

"And I regret it…"

You have disrespected this family, and defiled my daughter for you own pleasure. Do you even care about her? If you did, how could you do such a thing.

Then tell me if you aren't the reason for her sadness?

Isabelle looked intently to him, He looked worried and deep in thought, something was occupation his mind.

"Don't worry about her too much." She said as she breezed past the guard. She heard him sigh behind her.

"Where are you off to?"

He caught up to her and they were now walking side by side. Isabelle looked him over. She wondered when the last time he had slept. Elissa was right.

"You look exhausted and should be resting. You should had listen to Elissa but no, you got back to the library didn't you?" He chuckled.

"So you aren't behaving like a child." Isabelle glare at him and he smile "I did go back to the library…"

"What happen then? Did you two argue again?" Elmont shook his head that was her idea about them?

"You know, we aren't always arguing."

"It's true, recently you are in the best of terms but she still doesn't tell you what you want. Anyway, if you didn't argue then what happen?"

"I rather not talk about it. You still haven't answered my question Isabelle, I need to know where are you off"

"Elmont really? You don't need to worry, I think I am able to take care of myself"

"I do need to worry, you seem to always find trouble" He interjected.

"I do not"

"Yes, you do"

"What a blasphemy" She sighed, but did not stop walking. "I am only going for a walk."

"You have to be more explicit" He chuckled when he heard her groan. Isabelle stopped and turned to face the guard. He frowned "Isabelle"

"The market" He was silent for a long time and when he finally nodded, Isabelle smile.

"Very well. The King and Roderick will be spending the day in the throne room. Probably they won't ask for your or Elissa's presence and then they won't even notice your absence."

"And if they do?"

"Don't worry. I don't know where you are," Isabelle smile and approached him, kissing him on the cheek. "But I will have to look for you two"

"Thank you, Elmont" He said nothing. "I'll be careful, I promise." she pleaded.

"Don't be gone too long, Isabelle and…" She smiled at him

"Yes, yes… I know"

"I will come for you two if the King asks for you."

"Thank you"

Elissa hadn't sleep at all, during the night. It had been a long day, a hard evening to her, but Elmont presence had helped ease her mind. She had seen the pain in his eyes, when during the day she had prepared the upcoming marriage. During the evening, the discussion with her father had made her realize he didn't care for her happiness, and she almost broke before him.

She could remember exactly how it had felt, his hands against her skin. But she had to forget him, forget them. She was marrying now, and nothing would change it, not even him, there was nothing more to do.

She had wished to be hers and Elmont's marriage and not her marriage with Roderick. Such an idea excited her greatly, but nothing could be done to change it. Elissa lied awake, despite her body's fatigued pleas for rest.

A loud knock on the door broke her thoughts, and she went to answer the door.

"Isabelle? What are you doing up at this hour?"

"I couldn't sleep, sister. Did I wake you?"

"No, I couldn't sleep either."

Isabelle grinned brightly, as if she knew the exact reason why she couldn't get any rest.

"Would you like to come with me for a walk?" Elissa forced a chuckle, knowing what she pretend.

"I'd love that but..."

"Don't even think about it, not now when Elmont gave us permission." Elissa looked to Isabelle surprised. "Don't look like that, it's truth"

"Okay, Let me get into something a bit warmer," she said, pointing to the light nightgown that she still wore.

"Fine, I'll wait for you. But hurry up;" Elissa smiled at her before retreating into her bedroom.

"We have time Isabelle, don't worry …"

She slipped out of her gown and into some more suitable clothing to protect her against the chilly night air and the eyes of everyone.

After throwing on her cloak and pulling on her boots, Elissa walked back into the hallway and joined Isabelle.

"Let's go then"

"Are you ready to go?"

"I'm ready if you are." The two then walked down the corridor, down the stairs, past the kitchen, and through the exit. The sky was turning blue, and Elissa felt her heart clenched… Her freedom would be over very soon.

When they reached the market, Isabelle turned to her sister smiling.

"Finally" Elissa forced a smile when she looked at her sister.

"Elmont, we make decisions that sometimes we regret. Don't you agree?"

"Indeed, Sire" the Captain nodded to the King. "If I may ask, why did you send for me?" The King smile softly.

"I have a story to tell you"