𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐄. chapter seventy-four; The Langlois Wing " I assure you, my dear, I am worse than any other man. "
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IT WAS STILL the dead of night when Demetre Langlois returned to the castle, alongside Francis and Sebastian. And it took no time at all for the men to disperse quickly once hearing what transpired in their absence.
Demetre Langlois couldn't breathe. It felt like a crushing weight was pushing on the center of his chest, forcing all the air out of his lungs. The walls of the castle were closing in on him, and the very blood in his veins was fire, burning him alive from the inside out.
He wasn't sure how he made it to the Langlois wing. He wasn't sure why his men seemed so heartbroken as he brushed past them, or why Hugo and Alex were whispering when he entered his study.
Because Demetre Langlois only managed to catch his breath when he saw Elspeth Liens, sitting untouched behind his desk. He only managed to think when he rounded the furniture and grabbed her shoulders, checking her over for any injury.
He only managed to speak once he brought her frame into his.
"Petal, I couldn't breathe once they told me the wing had not been untouched."
Demetre felt his wife relax into his arms, her own hands coming up to clutch onto his shirt.
"I'm safe, my love."
He breathed, pulling away and gently brushing the hair from her face. Her expression was pinched; pain and exhaustion and dread sunk into every feature of her face.
But the softest smile graced her lips. The gentlest warmth crept in because Demetre was home. Because he had returned to her, and she could breathe better for it.
"Hugo, who were the guards on duty?" Demetre questioned, his eyes never leaving Elspeth, his thumb still drawing gentle strokes on her jaw, "They'll be dealt with-- the rules are clear and simple, not a soul--"
"Demetre," Elspeth said softly, lifting her hand to grab his wrist. "Not now, please."
"The security of this wing is the only thing that matters," He said, his jaw ticking, "And my only interest is discovering why scouts did not see these men, and why guards allowed them to enter."
"Demetre--"
"Allard and Bernard were outside, Martin, Dubois, and Allaire were inside. We were patrolling, alongside Blanchet."
Demetre's eyes darkened, turning to face Alex and Hugo.
"You are solely to guard Elspeth's room."
Elspeth felt her heart jump, grabbing Demetre's arm.
It was as if a switch had flipped, suddenly his anger was not locked inside his chest, it radiated off of him. His tone change was instant; never raising his voice, and yet it filled the space, leaving no room for Elspeth, Hugo, or Alex.
