Prince Leonardo's' Virtues

Chapter 21

"Mother I cannot stay here" I said through tears.

"Where do you want to go dear?".

"I'm going back to our house in the village, and I suggest you do the same because there is no way he will let you keep this after our divorce".

She looked at me and I can see the disappointment written all over her face.

"Your right, but until then where going to stay".

"Do what you want" my voice a bit stern.

Sarah came into the room her eyes bright." Julianna this just came for you, there's a lot more outside" she said as she gave me a bouquet of blue orchids.

There was a note stuck to it and I quickly opened it.

My love I would ask that you forgave me but that would be to easy.

I would ask for another chance but you have given me far too many. I would ask for your heart again but I have broken it far too much.

I only ask that you don't hate me your eyes are far to innocent to hold such loathing.

I could never let you go Julianna, I am bound to you and love you as much as this wounded heart will let me.

After I finished reading the note I felt the tears burning my eyes. I pulled the blanket up more and sunk my head on the bed. I find myself incapable of hating him, how can I? He was the one who took my innocence away, it would be impossible to forget that.

I heard loud shouting coming from the living room but I was unable to crawl out of this torn state.

He was laying there.....with her. A part of me wanted to believe I was being delusional about this all but walking in on your husband with another women at his side was as realistic as it gets.

My eyes darted to the door when I made eye contact with bloodshed eyes that were piercing into me. I wanted to run and throw myself into his arms and pretended that this was all a lie.

"Julianna" his voice broken and vulnerable.

He began to walk towards me.

My stomach was in knots but I had an internal battle with myself and the bitter side won.

I pushed myself off the bed and made my way to him.

I raised my hand to his face and slapped him hard, the sound echoing out through the room.

The anger was surging through me and balled my fingers in to fists and started pummeling on his chest.

This time his hand shot up and gripped mines.

"Julianna please".

"Let go!" I screamed at him.

"Never" his voice weak and vulnerable.

I tried pulling my hand away as kept coming closer.

"No!, don't!, you think you can just walk in here and get me back? Have you drank your brain cells numb?".

Or have your little servant girl wiped it clean?".

"I didn't come in here expecting to get you back right away,I knew this would be a fight Julianna and this is one fight I expect to win".

I shook my head at him." I need you to leave", my voice breaking." Now!, go!". I shouted at him.

He hesitated for a bit but then turned back to me.

"Your beautiful blue eyes, their so dull, it pains me that I have caused this my love".

His words, they had a way of getting to me, but not this time. I hardened my heart as I stare back at him.

"I want a divorce Leonardo".

His face faltered as he stepped back." No, I can't" his voice breaking. "I love you Julianna, I love you too much to ever sign a divorce paper".

"You love me?, it sure looked like it this morning when you were all wrapped up with Cecilia".

"It's not what you think, I would never-"

"Don't give me that rubbish, of course it's not what I think, I get it, I was gone and she was there, so why not make good use of the help".

"I never had sex with that woman or any other for that matter".

I covered my mouth as tears ran down my cheeks." You just let them sleep next to you all night right?".

"I didn't let her, she was always there when I woke love".

"That's your excuse?, she was always there?, so this has been going on since I left". I couldn't help the sobs that followed.

"Love, please don't cry, I'm so sorry, please forgive me" he said as he went down on his knees and gripped me by the waist as he sunk his head on me.

"Leonardo, no, let go of me, you do not deserve to touch me!" I said as I tried to push him free.

"I can't let you go". His voice barely audible.

"Father!" I shouted and I heard his shoes hitting against the floor quickly as he made his way in followed by my mother and the guards." Get him off of me, I've had enough of this torture". I said through tears.

They came over to us." Your Majesty, it is time to go". My father said as he placed a hand on his shoulder.

He didn't fight or struggle as he got to his feet, his face wet from the few tears he has spilled.

"Just answer me this, do you still love me" he said with the most heart breaking voice ever.

I turned away from him." You lost that right to ask me that the minute you laid hands another woman".

"I'm not giving up on us, I want you back in my life Julianna. I was a fool and I hurt you, and I'll spend the rest of my life trying to fix this if I have to, we may be apart right noe but just know I will always love you". He said as he and the guards all turned to leave.

I broke into more tears as I sat on the bed. My mother came over and held me.

"I cannot stay here mother" I sniffed out." He'll just keep coming back".

"Then where will you go".

"I'm not sure, but for now I'll be in our house in the village" I said to her while she rubbed my back.

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Leonardo's POV

"Get out of my room!" I shouted at the women who have made herself a growing burden in my life.

"Leonardo, why the sudden crudity?".

"You have dug my hole with my wife deeper, she thinks we're together"

I heard her scoff." Let her think what she wants, she was the one the left you, now she wishes to gain entrance back in your life Leonardo?. Can you not see this woman has been sent here to break you and hurt you until you are no more?, let me take care of you, I promise I won't leave you".

Her voice like a melody as she tries to persuade me into her charms. She reached out and touched my shoulder and something inside of me triggered.

I instantly gripped her by her neck and pinned her against the wall." If you ever talk about my wife again I would have your head for it, now leave my presence and never return". My voice menacingly low.

I watched as she clinged to my arm as she tried to pull herself free as she tried to breath.

A sudden memory flooded my vision as I recalled the letters that my mother wrote and my former Butler wrote of what my father did to her. He strangled her to death...

I instantly released her as she fell to the floor.

I looked down at my hands in disgust.

I cannot become my father......

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