Once Upon A [Hidden] Time - [Stolen] Series IV

CHAPTER 41

MYRA
27 JUNE 1415

When I approached Haakon, he gave me a slight bow, as if he knew I was coming to him. "Your Grace."

I held him by the arm and cornered him at the end of the hall. "We need to talk," I ordered, holding his arm firmly. "Do not dare create a scene."

His face didn't even twitch, as if he could read my mind. When I grabbed his arm, it felt like he was made of clay, soft and mushy, and if I pressed harder, I could mould him in any shape.

"I want to know how you disappeared through the tree!" I demanded urgently.

He smiled at me without showing any tension in the air.

"I told you, Your Grace, when the time comes, you will know everything." His eyes darted everywhere in the court. "But I have something else to show you." When he realised no one was watching us, he pressed a folded paper in my hand.

I unfolded the paper and sucked in a breath. It was a cut-out of a London Free Press article with the title Mysterious Engagement. There was a picture of me and Steve, him putting the ring on my finger. My head started spinning, so I leaned against the wall for support. I knew Haakon was observing me silently. Every time I thought of undermining him, he had always caught me off guard. I scanned the article. It was mentioned that Steve took me to the castle, but I never returned.

"Is he in trouble?" I asked Haakon.

"Arrested!"

"What?" I didn't realise that I yelled out, as I drew the attention of some people close by. Grabbing his arm again, I pulled him out of the hall to the corridor that led to the chapel. "Why?" I finally asked when I made sure there was no one around us.

"He is being charged with your abduction, Your Grace," said Haakon.

"But..." I didn't know what to say. How could he prove his innocence? Good Lord! What have I done? I have ruined his life and career. He was one of the most famous personalities in the UK, and things like his arrest would have spread on every channel and social media platform like wildfire. And here I was, in the medieval era, bathing with the future King of England.

"He is out on bail, though," Haakon added. "He has a hearing in two months to prove his innocence."

"And you are only telling me this now?"

"Would it have made a difference?"

Rubbing my neck, I studied the article again. It was so nice to see him, even in a picture. I had been clueless about his life all this time. How could I be so mean and self-centred?

"Did my parents press charges?" I asked.

"No, Your Grace," he answered. "They were quiet after they received your letter, but the police caught wind of it."

I couldn't stand it anymore. I squatted down to get my bearings. "What will happen now?"

Haakon followed to kneel beside me. "I do not know, Your Grace, but his interrogation is still going on. He is being watched by the police, but..." He paused, looking sideways, "he is still worried about you."

Oh, Steve! Even after what I did to you.

"Did he visit you again?"

"No, Your Grace," he replied. "He is not allowed to leave the UK until his hearing." I huffed at his words. How would he manage the gaming production in LA, then? My God! What was happening in his world? "But he remained in contact with me, asking me if you are hurt." Was he curious if Edward and I had slept together? My eyes blurred with emotions. He still cared! "And he wanted me to give you this." Haakon pulled out a brown paper bag from his robe. Where was he hiding it all this time, as if he magically produced it?

I took the bag from him and went through the items. I gasped when I saw what he had sent. "Steve sent me these?"

"Yes, Your Grace," Haakon said shyly. "He was worried about what you would do when..."

"All right!" I said absently. I couldn't believe he had sent me tampons. And how did he figure out what brand I use? Did he ask my mother? There was also a pack of paracetamol in case I caught a fever or cold, or menstrual pain. I couldn't believe he was so considerate after the damage I had done to him. He had been arrested because of me. He had been charged with abduction because of me. Police had been visiting him, interrogating him, and he still managed to transport tampons to the fifteenth century.

"Can you tell him how much I miss him? Tell him I will always be grateful to him, and no matter what, he shall remain my best friend."

Haakon chuckled for the first time. "His Highness would not like this idea!"

"Whatever!" I mumbled. "I don't care what Edward thinks. He has to digest the fact that Steve is part of my life and will always remain in it."

"Anything else, Your Grace?" he asked, getting to his feet. I looked up at him, thinking of what to say.

"Keep me updated, please?" I requested.

Bowing, he answered, "At your service, Your Grace." And he disappeared out of my sight.

When he left, I realised that I had forgotten to ask him about the tree incident again. It was the reason I approached him, but he left me bereft.

Unfolding the paper again, I caressed Steve's image. How happy he looked at our engagement! And my expression was so obvious. I was desperate to meet Edward that night, dying to escape my time period. How could I have betrayed Steve and his honest friendship? How could I ruin his life?

I couldn't contain my emotions anymore and sobbed quietly. This guilt would kill me, knowing I had destroyed the life of a man who had offered me everything—his heart, his friendship, his loyalty. Could I ever live happily here now? Could I ever erase this incident from my memory, knowing I was the reason for his destruction?

Clutching the bag and paper to my chest, I cried silently. Forgive me, Steve! I wished Haakon had never told me about it. It was a blessing to live in ignorance, and now I could never undo it. This was etched in my memory forever. I could never repair this damage—this taint I had put on his name, this scar on his reputation. Whimpering and grieving, I hated myself even more.

I pulled my knees to my chest and bowed my head. I wanted to fix the damage. 

I wanted to apologise to him. 

I wanted to repent.

I wanted to disappear.