Heart Of Darkness

Chapter 28

Angelica wished the night was longer so she could sleep the pain away, but the morning had already arrived with the promise of the dreadful day ahead of her.

The first thing she noticed when she awoke was that her brother was no longer in her bed. Sitting up, she rubbed her swollen eyes that she could get ly open. Her eyelids felt heavy, and her throat was dry.

A light knock made her turn to the door. Eva walked inside with a tray in her hand.

"Good morning, My Lady.." She greeted and then placed the tray on the bedstand next to her.

Then she remained standing there. "My Lady," she looked down at her hands which she rubbed together. "I am truly sorry. I wish I dared to defy your father and come to release you."

"It's alright, Eva. What happened has already happened, and I don't blame you." Angelica said.

"I wish to take care of you. Please allow me."

Angelica nodded.

"Thank you, My Lady. Shall I help you get dressed?"

"Yes, please."

Eva picked a dress for her and then helped her get dressed. After combing her hair, she excused herself to prepare her breakfast downstairs.

Angelica looked outside the window. The weather was beautiful. The sky was a clear blue, and the sun lit up the earth with its bright yellow rays. How could such a day feel so lonely?

To get a closer look, she went to the window. She thought she saw the King outside their house for a brief moment, but he was suddenly gone. As if he turned into air and left with the wind. She frowned. Were her eyes playing tricks on her? Her gaze searched the area outside her house, but she couldn't find him. Was she imagining things now?

"My Lady, breakfast is ready," Eva informed, sticking her head inside the room.

"I'll be there." She said.

Angelica went downstairs, and William was already sitting at the breakfast table. He was eating with a good appetite.

"Good morning," she greeted as she went to sit across from him.

"Good morning," he replied while chewing on something.

Usually, her brother went to his training after having breakfast, but Angelica didn't think it was a good idea to go to the castle after what happened. Avoiding the King at any cost would be better.

What was she supposed to say if she ever saw him? Should she apologize? Thank him? Or hate him?

'Thank you for killing my father without exposing him.'.

'I apologize for my father's betrayal. I did not know about it and wasn't part of it.'

And then there was 'you killed my father.'

Angelica didn't know what the right thing to feel or do was. Should she think thankful or resentful?

Guilty? Angry? Sad? She didn't know.

"Are you planning to go to your training today?" She asked.

"Yes," he replied.

She somehow expected it. Her brother wasn't the kind to be easily fazed.

"Do you think it is a good idea?"

He stopped eating and looked up at her.

"Even if the father had been exposed, I shouldn't be punished for his crimes. I have no reason to hide." He said.