Part 23

For the first time in days Tristan was in a deep sleep. There were no dreams, no compulsive need to have Nadine. No, because she was already here. It actually worked. All he needed was to have her beside him. After the dreams had started, he hadn't been able to really rest, except that one night after her "accident" when she had slept in his bed. Now she was in his bed again and he could finally rest. He would have most definitely slept until the morning if something wouldn't have woken him up. The sound of sobbing. Slowly he opened his eyes and felt Nadine's body twitching. She was crying, he felt her tears on his chest.

"Puppet?" he murmured sleepily. "What is wrong?"

His first thought was that he had held her too tight, but after few seconds he realized that she wasn't awake, she was having a nightmare.

"Hey…" he muttered and touched her hair. "It's alright, puppet."

She whimpered heartbreakingly, just like the last time when she had slept in his bed. He really didn't want to see her like this.

"It's alright…"

He was certainly out of his comfort zone, but just like the last time, he tried his best to calm her down by stroking her hair and rubbing her back. Her body felt so fragile against his, he felt a very strange need to keep her safe. No one would ever hurt his puppet again and the bastard who had dared to hurt her would pay for it. Was she having a nightmare about the Lord Niklaus? Probably. The thought infuriated Tristan, what kind of a man would so brutally attack a delicate little creature like her?

"It's alright," he whispered in her ear and touched her cheek softly with his lips. "You don't have to worry about anything, puppet, I will look after you."

Finally she calmed down, her body started to relax against his. When he looked at her, his precious little puppet, it was very clear to him that this was exactly what he wanted. He wanted her to be his. Not by force, by choice. He wanted her consent. Not that he would have taken her against her will anyway, he wouldn't have done that. It made no difference that she was a servant, he still wanted her consent. Everything was suddenly very clear to him and his mind had already formed a plan. There were plenty of arrangements he needed to make.

First of all, he wanted to do this properly, so he needed to have a word with her brother the first thing in the morning. A servant or not, but it was a decent thing to do since her brother was her closest male relative. Of course it would only be a formality; Tristan didn't think for a second that her brother would have any problem with the very generous offer he was going to make him. It would secure Nadine's future and her brother's as well. Gently he caressed her soft cheek and kissed her forehead before making himself comfortable. Her body fit so perfectly against his, like she would have been made for him. It was strange, but he had never before felt anything like this. He actually was in love with his puppet.

Lucien had barely slept at all when the morning finally came. Nadine hadn't returned, she had been with Tristan the whole night. She had been through who knew what kind of hell and her brother had done nothing. It was very clear that Nadine had lied to him yesterday, the rumors were true. Except that Lucien didn't think for a second that Nadine would have ever willingly given her body to Tristan. He had no doubt forced her like she would be some worthless object.

Why would taking a servant's innocence mean anything to Tristan? Who knew how long this had been going on, how long poor Nadine had suffered silently. Lucien was completely numb when he got up and got dressed. What was he supposed to do? What could he do? He was nothing but weak and pathetic. His legs carried him automatically towards the smaller courtyard. He had no idea how long he had stood in front of the well when someone approached him.

"Good morning," Finn's voice said.

"Good morning, my lord," Lucien heard himself mumbling, he didn't turn to look at Finn.

"I was hoping to have a word with you…"

"Not a good time, my lord."

Lucien couldn't bring himself to care if he sounded rude, he could barely keep himself from falling apart. Finn was quiet for a moment before moving next to Lucien.

"Forgive me… I do not wish to intrude, but may I ask is everything alright?"

Lucien burst into joyless laughter.

"Not really, my lord."

"I see. Is there anything I can do to help?"

Lucien felt beyond exhausted, he had no strength left. How could anyone ever fix the damage Tristan had done to Nadine?

"Nadine…" he murmured.

Finn's eyebrows furrowed.

"What? Has something happened to her?"

Lucien sighed tiredly.

"I…"

"Good morning, my lord," Laurent's voice suddenly said. "Lucien, Lord Tristan wants to see you in the garden. Now."

Lucien felt like his blood would have suddenly turned into ice. After all that bastard had done, he wanted, what, had a nice conversation with Lucien? Well, that wasn't going to happen. No, Lucien would do what he should have done a long time ago. He would kill the man who had violated his poor innocent sister. It didn't matter what would happen to Lucien after that, he was done being a coward.

"Of course," he stated and glanced at Finn. "Please excuse me, my lord."

Determinedly he marched to the garden, ready to do what needed to be done. He was unable to think clearly, his anger had taken over. Tristan was nothing but a monster, he deserved to die. Lucien stayed out of sight when he approached the garden and spotted Tristan talking to someone. Niklaus. He was looking at Tristan tensely.

"I am afraid I have no idea what you are talking about…"

"Oh, I think you do," Tristan replied. "I am sure it took you a lot of…courage to demonstrate your strength to someone half of your size."

"What?"

Tristan's eyes darkened.

"I saw her injuries with my own eyes. She still hasn't recovered."

Niklaus lowered his head, he looked guilty.

"Lord Tristan, I…"

"Perhaps you have gotten used to treat women like that, but you will never lay a hand on Nadine again. Am I making myself clear?"

Niklaus nodded tensely. Lucien couldn't believe what he was hearing. Had Niklaus hurt Nadine? After everything he had done for him and his family… Lucien couldn't move until Niklaus had left. Tristan heard him approaching and turned to look at him.

"Good, you are here," he stated.

"My lord," Lucien murmured.

He didn't bow, but Tristan didn't seem to even notice that. He looked…strange.

"I asked you here because I want to talk to you. Man to man."

Lucien's eyes widened, he couldn't help it.

"Pardon, my lord?"

Tristan waved his hand.

"We can forget the formalities; I shall get straight to the point. What I want is very simple." He paused and crossed his arms. "I want your sister's hand in marriage."