Heart Of Darkness

Chapter 15

Angelica's chest felt heavy, and breathing became difficult. She wasn't stupid. Lord Rayven knew about her father's plans, but he was using other words to warn her. Learning something like that and not telling the King would be a betrayal. Why was he doing it, then? Why was he warning her and not telling the King?

She took a deep breath. "I will. Thank you," she said and tried to walk past him before seeing her reaction, but he blocked her way. His gaze hardened. 

"Lady Davis, you might charm the King, but you won't fool me. I don't know why you have taken an interest in him, but I would be careful if I were you. Don't try anything stupid."

What? Angelica became confused. Did he suspect her also? He went from helping her to protecting the King.

"I don't want any harm to come to His Majesty," she assured him.

"I hope not."

They looked at each other for a short moment before Angelica felt uncomfortable and pushed past him, rushing to find her brother.

She didn't know how she managed to find her way to the garden, but her head was spinning once she arrived. William sat on a bench, waiting for her.

"William, let's go home," she said, feeling dizzy.

Angelica's heart was beating fast throughout the journey, and she imagined yelling at her father a thousand times before they were finally home.

"Why don't you bathe and change?" she told her brother. She didn't want him to see the fight between her and their father. 

When William left, Angelica hurried to her father's study, where he sat busy reading some papers.

"You plan to kill the King and put us all in danger." She didn't care to greet him first or wait for him to notice her arrival.

Horrified, he looked up. "Who told you that?"

"So it is true?"

He put the papers down and went around the table. "No! It is not. Why would I kill the King?"

Angelica didn't believe him. It seemed like he didn't abandon his plan even if he returned home without harming the King.

"Father, don't lie to me. Lord Rayven knows, and tomorrow the King might know as well. This is not only about you. You are putting William and me in danger. He doesn't deserve this." She was speaking with clenched teeth because of how angry she was.

"Angelica, I am not putting anyone in danger. I told you, I have no such plans."

Angelica studied him, trying to figure out whether he was telling the truth.

"If you care about us, you will go to His Majesty tomorrow and tell him that you heard rumours about yourself, which are not true. You will tell him that you are loyal to him and will remain so.".

Angelica knew she was giving her father orders, but at this point, she didn't care. She would fight anyone or anything that would put her brother in danger.

Her father clenched his jaw but nodded. "That sounds like a good idea."

"If you lie to me and I find out about it, know I won't hesitate to do what is necessary to protect William and myself."

Her father pressed his lips into a thin line and nodded.

Now that she had made it clear, she let her shoulders fall with a sigh. "I would not want you to get hurt as well. I hope you make no mistakes." This time, she softened her tone and almost pleaded.

"I understand, Angelica. I won't do anything." He said, getting annoyed that she kept talking. He didn't appreciate that she worried for him. Feeling disappointed, she left him behind. At this point, after disappointing her so many times, she shouldn't feel that way. She should be angry.