Love Amidst Wars

twenty-seven

Clarissa hummed her favourite melody as she brushed her hair. She stopped and glanced at the view outside the window of her room, seeing the moon dancing with the stars. The door suddenly burst open, causing her eyes to widen upon seeing the Prince walking in.

The servants lowered their heads in fear, "We're sorry, my lady. His Highness forced his way in."

"Go," she frowned before rubbing her temples. "You just can't stop causing nuisance, Jay."

"Oh, friend. I came here to talk to you. Can't I expect that from my best friend?" He smirked before pulling her into an embrace. She felt irritated and pushed him away before fixing her hair, "Get to the point. Or else, leave."

She walked towards the bed and sat at the edge of it. He took a seat on the sofa and crossed his legs, flashing his cunning grin at her. She knew he was up to no good and wanted to share his thoughts with her.

"Viscount William got arrested today."

"What? Why?" She glowered and brushed her hair with her fingers. He shrugged in amusement, "He did something bad, of course. He murdered General George."

She furrowed her brows in confusion, "He's disabled. How could that be possible?"

"Well, it seemed impossible, but it isn't."

She felt something was uncanny after hearing his statement. "Jay, what actually happened?"

"Do you know that it is not difficult to frame a person?" He chuckled in amusement, "Just place a few fake death letters and the Viscount's belongings at the crime scene. It's that easy."

"What do you get by doing this? You know Juliette is gonna hate you for this."

"That's the beauty of the plan. I'll help her free her father. It's that easy. Then, she'll have no one to depend on except me. She'll definitely owe me big time once I help free her father from the dungeon."

"So you're framing her father, to earn her attention and act as their saviour," she became sceptical as she raised a brow at him.

"You're so intelligent," he approached her with a mocking smirk. She froze in her spot and felt his fingers reach to touch her lips. "Jay, stop," she sighed but showed no effort to push him away.

He continued and began caressing her cheek, "Have you always been this tempting?"

"Hearing your plan gives me goosebumps, Your Highness. Have you always been this cunning?"

"I'm friends with you and Jake anyway. You should've expected it," he chuckled and leaned forward. She grimaced and held both of his arms to stop him but he ignored all her refusals.

He closed the gap between them and slowly pushed her towards the bed.

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Juliette arrived at the gates to her manor and frowned in confusion, seeing the front door being left wide open. She slowly made her way towards the entrance and saw all the servants rushing around the hallway in panic. As she walked forward, she caught a glimpse of her mother with swollen eyes sitting in the living room, rubbing her temples.

"My lady! You're back! Let's get you ready for bed," her personal maid greeted her with a bright smile.

"What is wrong? What happened around here? Why is everyone acting so weird?" She asked with a heavy heart. As she tried to approach her mother, the maid held her hand gently, "It is not a good time, my lady. Her Ladyship doesn't want to be bothered and she also said no one should explain it to you at this time. I'll tell you everything tomorrow, my lady."

"And you expect me to have a good night's sleep with all this?" Juliette raised a brow and slowly freed her hand from the grip. She gave up and headed upstairs to her bedroom before shutting the door.

As she opened the door ajar, she could hear her mother sobbing downstairs and some servants comforting her. The mentions of her father also filled the room, making her even more anxious.

The next morning finally came. Juliette could not even sleep a wink, wondering what might have happened to her father. She immediately rushed downstairs in her nightgown and saw her mother sitting in the living room, staring blankly at the window.

"You have got to explain what happened, mother. I refused to be treated like a fool here."

"It's your father, Jules. He was arrested last night by the palace guards."

"The palace?" She felt her chest becoming heavy and sat down, "Why? What did he do? I'm sure he did not do anything wrong. Father is a good person!"

"Your father is arrested for murder, dearest. The murder of General George."

"That is impossible. He can't even walk so what makes them think he could murder his best friend?!"

Lady Jane sat in silence as she rubbed her temples again. Juliette felt irritated at how she was being ignored. She kneeled in front of her mother and held her hand, "Mother, maybe I can talk to Jay. I can ask for his help. He would help me, I know he will. Just please let me help you. We can free Father from–"

"What makes you think the palace will help us? General George is their most trusted man and your father is being accused of killing him."

"Then, you would just do nothing and let Dad rot in the dungeon? What kind of a wife are you, Mother?" Juliette snapped before leaving the manor, still in her nightwear.

As she passed through some people walking past her, she could hear whispers insulting her family — her father.

She felt her heart slowly crack as she ran for help. She wondered whether he had eaten or if he was alright without his wheelchair. She wished for the guards to treat him with kindness although that was too much for a mere hope.

She finally snapped out of her trance and realised she had run to the military site. Her eyes became teary as she entered the site, searching for anyone who could be her saviour.

Private Johnny widened his eyes at her appearance and rushed towards her instantly, "Lady Juliette! Why are you here? Now is not the right time–"

"Please," her body trembled as she held his collars, "Please help me..."

"What is with the noise?" The Duke yelled out of annoyance and raised his brows in surprise upon seeing the Viscount's daughter. His cheeks reddened when he realised she was in her nightwear.

He took off his coat and instantly wrapped it around her. Juliette turned to look at him and lowered her face to hide her tears, "Help, please..."

"Tell me what happened," he held both of her shoulders. She finally faced him and saw how his eyes were intensely bored into hers.

"My father got arrested for murder..."

Johnny signalled a nod at Jake before walking away to give them both some privacy. She finally broke down in tears, "Who would believe me? My father didn't kill General George. It's impossible. He can't... He just can't... No one would believe me–"

"I do."

"What?"

"I believe you," Jake caressed her shoulders tenderly and flashed her an assuring smile.