The Other Side of Fairytale

Chapter Twenty-Four: The End

Liam's eyes met Olivia's and then turned back to Bastien. "What do you mean Bastien? What documents does Bertrand claim to have?" Liam questioned.

"I don't know Your Majesty, he refused to speak with anyone but you."

Liam met Olivia's eyes. He could see the fear in them despite her best efforts to put on a strong front. "Well, let's go see what he has" she stood hand on hip. Liam's eyes met Bastien questioningly.

"He said only you, Your Majesty" Bastien tentatively answered.

"Like hell!" Olivia scoffed. "This is about me" she defiantly argued. Annabelle stepped next to Olivia, placing her hand on her shoulder comfortingly.

"Maybe we should let Liam and Bastien talk to him first, Liv?" Liam grasped Olivia's hand.

"My love, we both know your presence may..deter the Duke of Ramsford from speaking freely and being able to negotiate." Olivia narrowed her eyes.

"Don't you negotiate with that coward for one minute, Liam" she warned. "Whatever he has, I don't care. He's not going to use threats against me to get himself out of this." Liam exhaled running his hand down his face.

"Set up the meeting, Bastien" he nodded and exited.

Once it was only the four of them they moved into the den. "You alright Liv?" Drake questioned taking in her quick breathing and the moisture glistening in her eyes. She stood hands clenched.

"I knew it." She shook her head.

Liam furrowed his brow, "knew what?" Olivia shook her head angrily.

"I knew something like this would happen, Liam. I knew there was no way I could ever be your queen." She sneered trying to hide the sadness and fear with hostility. "It was ridiculous to even try. I don't know how you talked me into this."

Liam approached her calmly "Olivia, my love..."

"Save it, Liam" Olivia snapped. Annabelle and Drake shared a concerned look.

"Olivia, I told you before and I will tell you again, now. Whatever they have, will not deter me from making you my queen. We will face it, together." Olivia rolled her eyes. "Please, my love. Let me go and speak to Bertrand, find out what he is speaking about and then we can decide how to proceed." He grasped her hand gently.

Olivia exhaled, "Fine. Just, don't you give him a damn thing, Liam."

He chuckled. "Yes, my love. Drake, please get my lovely fiancé a drink while she waits. I will be back."

Liam sat down at the table across from Bertrand, while Bastien stood at the door. Bertrand looked terrible, his eyes had dark circles, his face looked gaunt and sunken in, the worry lines that always marked his face more prominent than ever before.

"I understand you have requested to speak to me, Duke Bertrand?" Liam began.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I would like to begin by apologizing for any role I may have had in the challenges you now face. I was merely a pawn, a..."

Liam abruptly cut him off "Stop...right there," he held up his hand. "I was told you have information about the future queen?" Bertrand cleared his throat and attempted to sit up a bit straighter.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I do. And I would like to provide you with that information in exchange for lessening my sentence, on the other charges." Liam raised his eyebrow.

"So you feel that you are in a position to make deals right now?" Bertrand nodded determinedly.

"At this moment, with the information I have, yes. I do."