THE GREAT LADY OF ALKION

CHAPTER 17

Blood from the horrendous scene that had happened was all that remained. A sure indication that someone had met their end on that day. Many had died on the same spot but they didn't matter to him. The one who had died mattered and it was his father.
The people had come to witness his death and left. The executioner had done his job and got paid for it. The royal family was inside the castle and he had nobody.
"Hide your rage inside and when you are forced to compromise in future,use your rage to fight it."
He would definitely get his revenge someday. He would ruin the lives of those who took his father from him. He was handed his father's remains that had been placed on a donkey cart and covered using a dirty and wrinkled cloth. This was humiliation even in his death despite his position as a count.
Julian went home and prepared his father's burial. No one showed up. He was the only one in attendance as the men he had hired scooped and poured the sand using shovels inside the grave beside his mother's. They eventually left leaving him all alone. The clouds were grey with winds blowing around. It would probably rain. Maybe the weather would be the only thing to pay it's respects to his father. He held no expression at all but only stood watching the new grave in his now manor.
He heard some steps behind him and when he looked back, he saw Astrid. She was dressed in a black dress with smockings on the bodice. Above it was a black cloak. She held a wreath of flowers. She walked towards him and was some steps away from him when he spoke.
"What are you doing here ?" he asked. Astrid took a few steps towards him when he said," Get out."
"Why should I go ? I want to be with you."
" I don't want you here." She began to walk to him." Stand there and talk. I can hear you."
"I want to be here for you," she said to him. He was breathing fast and avoiding eye contact with her." We can get through this."
"Are you a lunatic ?"he said. This time he was looking at her. His eyes were bloodshot." Do you think that I want you here after everything that has happened ? Are you making fun of me ?"
She looked at him with tears in her eyes. She did not move an inch.
" You don't want to leave ? Alright. I am leaving."
" You promised me before that we would never part and that you will never leave me."
He stopped in his tracks and pursed his lips together. Tears began to flow from his eyes and he welcomed the pain.
" At that time, I meant every word but now I want us to part ways."
" You also said that you loved me."
" It was true but after everything, I don't love you anymore."
" You are saying those words to make me leave because you are hurt," she said and walked towards him hugging him from behind.
" You are annoying!" he shouted as he pushed himself from her hug. He gripped her by her shoulders and pushed her against the wall abruptly and she let out a scream." Can you look at yourself ? You are always proud of your family but what did they do to mine ?" he screamed at her face.
She blinked rapidly as she tried to calm herself down.
" It's alright Julian. Your feelings must be all over the place after losing your father. I won't get angry at what you say. I will give you some space and we will talk when you are feeling better."
He immediately turned her around,grabbed her arm and dragged her towards the gate.
"Julian," she cried.
He opened the gate and threw her outside and she fell to the ground. He then slammed the gate at her and dropped himself to the ground in tears.
She lifted herself up and banged at the gate continuously.
"Julian!" she called out. She continued to bang the gate as he cried on the other side. The banging continued and finally ceased after a while. It began to rain but he did not move from where he was.

Astrid entered the castle looking weak. She had cried on her way back and she went to her room. After a bath,she sat on her window seat looking at the direction of Julian's house. Her father entered her room carrying a tray on which two cups of tea sat.
"Here. Have this," he said as he sat next to her. He took in her miserable appearance and felt sad for her.
"Thank you," she said. Her voice was hoarse from the crying.
"I am here for you Astrid. You know that,don't you ?"
"Yes pa," she said as she leaned on his shoulder. He was the one who understood her the most. He was not only her father but her close friend as well. His only sin was being unfaithful to her mother but he was the best father she could ask for.
Just then Luciana knocked at the door and got in.
"My lady, Julian is here to see you. He is waiting at the main hall."
Astrid perked her head up and wore her slippers quickly and ran to find Julian. She found him dressed in an armour and carrying a satchel. She kept some distance between them.
"I am not here to stay. I will only say some few words and leave. I want to give you something,"he said and dug around his satchel and took out a silver bracelet. It was the one she had given him before he left for his previous adventure for good luck.
" Here is the bracelet you gave to me. I can't have it anymore."
" I don't want it back. I gave it to you with lots of love."
" How many times must I say it to you ? We have nothing between us anymore."
" But you came to see me Julian. It means that you love me."
" Don't be full of yourself Astrid."
" I don't want to be parted from you."
" Can you be more civilized ? Face the reality. We are not together and I don't love you anymore."
" But I love you,"she cried. He could feel the pain in his heart as he had this conversation with her but he could not love her anymore.
"You have a family. I don't so I am leaving for a trip and I don't think that I will return soon. Take this time,spend it with them and forget me."
" I want to be with you Julian. We can work this out."
" You want to be with me over your family ? I don't believe it. I'm leaving," he said and turned to walk away.
" Julian," she called and began to run after him. He opened the doors and ran out quickly. He ran down the stairs and she tried to run and catch up with him to no avail. She ran down the stairs just as he was mounting his horse and galloped it away.
She felt defeated and squatted with the heavy raindrops falling on her. Charles ran towards her and hugged her.
"Father,it's too painful. I can't stand it. Can you understand me ?My heart is broken," she cried and collapsed into his arms.