The Elemental Love

31: Trouble in Paradise

I drove back home with my head full of mixed emotions. I couldn’t concentrate on driving. Parking my car at the edge of the nearly empty road I started collecting my thoughts.

It’s been days since I first heard about Charles Landsdown and he seems to be present everywhere.

Every small talk, every secret, every misery has been related to him until now.

Someone who I have never thought about is now becoming a reality for me.

But why in the world Aunt Barbara thought it was wise to confide in me? What was she thinking of?
Pushing back my hair into a loose ponytail I rested my head on the car seat and covered my eyes with my arms.

Charles Landsdown was a disgraceful man. A man whose felony was hidden well by the royal family so as to not bring shame to aunt Barbara.

According to her it was love at first sight. She never intended to take things far, ‘but fate has different ways of working’ is what she said as an excuse for marrying Landsdown who was a human employee under the King’s company.

Aunt Barbara confessed that Charles was a greedy man who coveted the money which came along with her.

At beginning of their marriage, he was sweet to her but after Aunt Barbara was pregnant with their first child, she had to reveal her identity.

Charles was freaked out and his sweet husband persona shattered. He started mentally abusing her and threatened to kill their unborn child. He wanted to do nothing with her.

Aware of his greediness Aunt Barbara lured him back with money and the amass property she had under her name. Charles decided to stay and once again wore the mask of the sweet husband as well as a father.

But there’s no limit to a person’s greediness and Charles started craving the elemental power which he can never have. After several arguments and fights with the royal family he leaned towards the varlets for help.

There was no way a varlet can give him powers but Charles was blinded with greed. After serious considerations with her family Aunt Barbara decided to move away from Eahson and started living in another city along with her two children and Charles.

But Charles started going crazy and spent most of his time outside. Worried Aunt Barbara tried to talk it out with her husband but in vain and then one day he ended up dead on her doorstep.

But the question was, how he died?

I didn’t ask.

She didn’t tell.

I wondered her reason for telling me about Charles. Sensing my confusion, she gave me an apologetic look and asked me to excuse her daughter’s appalling behaviour which led me to leave the castle.

I wanted to laugh but that would have been rude. What stuck with me was when she said that maybe Charlotte takes after her father.

‘’That could be the case’’ I scoffed.
Zoe knew this and that’s why she was able to shut Charlotte’s mouth that day. Why I am always late to know about all the details. Maybe I should discuss this with Lana and Emmett.

Frustrated I started the car and rushed back home.
As soon as I got off the car mother rushed past me with Sebastian following her.

“Where are you both going?’’ I asked bewildered.

‘’Something’s wrong in the palace, we will sort that out and return quickly’’ mother explained as she opened the car door.

‘’Let me join too’’ I walked towards the car but was stopped Sebastian.