The Keeper Of The Drifted Rose

chapter 8 Scandalous Revelations

The palace corridors buzzed with whispers and speculation as the news of Liam and Elise's secret engagement spread like wildfire through the court. What had once been a closely guarded secret was now the talk of every noble and courtier, each one offering their own scandalous interpretation of the unfolding events.

Liam paced anxiously in his modest quarters, his mind racing. He had spent the past weeks carefully cultivating relationships with the influential lords and ladies of the court, slowly but surely winning them over with his charm, intelligence, and unwavering devotion to Elise. But now, all of that careful maneuvering seemed to have been for naught.

A sharp knock at the door startled him, and he opened it to find Elise, her eyes wide with worry.

"Liam, what are we going to do?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "The whole court knows about us now, and I fear the consequences will be dire."

Liam pulled her into his arms, his heart aching at the fear he saw in her eyes. "Hush, my love. We knew this day would come, and we will face it together, no matter the cost."

Elise nodded, her fingers clutching the front of his shirt. "But what if Father decides to call off our engagement? Or worse, what if he banishes you from the kingdom?"

Liam's jaw tightened. "Then I will fight for you, Elise, with every fiber of my being. I will not let anything or anyone tear us apart."

Just then, a servant appeared at the door, his face pale. "Forgive the intrusion, sir, but the King requests your presence in the throne room. Immediately."

Liam felt his stomach twist with dread, but he nodded resolutely. "Very well. I shall go at once."

As he made his way through the palace, Liam could feel the weight of a thousand judgmental stares upon him. The courtiers whispered and pointed, their expressions a mix of shock, disgust, and barely concealed glee.

When he finally reached the throne room, the King sat upon his gilded chair, his face a mask of barely contained fury.

"Liam," the King said, his voice low and dangerous. "You have betrayed my trust, and the trust of this entire kingdom."

Liam dropped to one knee, his head bowed. "Your Majesty, I can only beg your forgiveness. I never intended for our relationship to be exposed in this manner."

The King's eyes narrowed. "And yet, it has been. The entire court is abuzz with talk of your scandalous union with my daughter. Do you have any idea the damage this could do to the kingdom's reputation?"

Liam swallowed hard. "I understand the gravity of the situation, Your Majesty. But I love Elise with all my heart, and I will do whatever it takes to make this right."

The King's expression darkened. "Whatever it takes? Then you must be prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice."

Liam's head snapped up, his eyes wide with fear. "Your Majesty, you cannot mean..."

The King raised a hand, silencing him. "I have no choice, Liam. The damage to our reputation is too great. For the sake of the kingdom, I must call off your engagement to Elise."

Liam felt as if the ground had been ripped out from under him. "No, please, Your Majesty! I beg you, reconsider!"

But the King's resolve was unwavering. "My decision is final. You are to leave the palace immediately and never return. If you defy me, I will have no choice but to have you executed for treason."

Liam's heart pounded in his ears as he struggled to comprehend the King's words. Executed? For loving Elise? It was a fate worse than death.

As the guards seized him and dragged him from the throne room, Liam caught a glimpse of Elise, her face streaked with tears. Their eyes met, and in that moment, he knew that he would fight to the bitter end to be with her, no matter the cost.

The court erupted into a frenzy of whispers and speculation, the scandal of the century unfolding before their very eyes. But Liam paid them no heed, his mind consumed by a single, desperate thought: he would find a way to be with Elise.