Partners In Crime

Chapter 29

William's POV:

"I don't suppose they took the news lightly?" Albert roamed around the half-empty room, anticipating an answer he had already foreseen yet the hope of a better response loitered in the corner of his head.

"Not at all. Denial, in fact." Fred announced, earning a sigh of disappointment in response. 

"And the lad? Where is he as we speak?" 

"In the Bagne of Toulon. If guilt won't get the best of him in the time of his solitary confinement- the death row will." I calmly responded, feeling slightly ashamed of the fact that I was enjoying the situation more than one would like to admit. Naturally, I pitied the family of our lost comrade; however, his sacrifice allowed me to catch the evil I've been chasing since the moment we approached the borders of France. 

Unfortunately, Y/N happened to have a close relationship with Levian, thus, I was forced to abandon the original plan of detaining him while he was 'coincidentally' at the same restaurant as we were and concoct an alternative ploy for the next opportunity. If only he hadn't approached her that night, she wouldn't need to face such treachery.

"Regretfully, Lady Y/N isn't in the best frame of mind either," Fred added as he watered down the vase occupied with leftover flowers from the wedding. 

"As imagined, poor thing- She's lived through plenty of drawbacks as it is, I'm afraid this one must've served as her last straw." Albert's forehead puckered. For once, he no longer fancied taking a sip of wine. "Perhaps your presence will liven up her mood, what do you say William?" 

I began to fidget with my fingers. Uncustomarily, I sensed as though part of the reason why she was going through the mentioned phase was due to my actions, causing me to feel a manner of responsibility. Nonetheless, the grant moment we shared the wedding night surely held significance to her. It must have. Irrationality did not match her typical behavior yet exposures can create all sorts of new responses to certain conditions.

"Let's find out, shall we?"

~~~~

Bare centimeters prevented my chuckles from making contact with the door belonging to Y/N's room. Unlikely of me too, I hesitated, unaware of how to approach a person in a state of near-paralysis. Especially if that person was someone who was undeniably dear to me. 

Suddenly, the door creaked open with Y/N's body, depressingly slouched. Her chest rose and fell as she drew rapid breaths. Even then, the moment she acknowledged my presence, her appearance switched in a matter of seconds: a fat smile formed on her lips, capable of deceiving anyone but me. 

"William! To what do I owe the pleasure?" She forged a high-pitched tone. 

My eyes skimmed through her face, noting each detail. Her locks, clearly untouched by a brush, faced all sorts of directions while the dark circles underneath those beautiful eyes disclosed a poor lack of sleep. The lady's image practically shouted a cry for help or, at the very least, distraction before her own thoughts left her all the more helpless. "Care to accompany me for a walk?"

She leaned forward, holding onto the door frames while scanning both sides of the corridor as if looking for something or someone. "The two of us?" 

"Would you prefer someone else took my spot?" 

 Her eyes widened, "Not at all! It was not my intention to make it sound as it did. I apologize." She twirled her hair, "I would absolutely adore going on a walk with you." Her smile grew. 

"Are you prepared? Should I wait while you gather up?" I asked eagerly, wishing to show her the light of day after near days of utter estrangement.