Kingsley's Bride

Chapter 38: It's there within

The moonlight streamed through the window, casting a silvery glow across the room, but the bed beside me felt cold and empty. My heart raced as I sat up, scanning the dark corners of the chamber. Lord Darius was gone.

Panic set in, prickling my skin as I threw off the covers. I quickly dressed in a warm shawl and stepped into the hallway, the wooden floorboards creaking under my weight. The estate was quiet, too quiet, as I wandered through the dimly lit corridors, calling out softly, "My lord? Where are you?"

No answer.

I moved through the grand rooms, my heart pounding with each step. The memories of the night before weighed heavy in my mind, Lord Darius's grief still fresh. I could only imagine what he was going through.

Finally, I stepped outside into the cool night air. The stars twinkled like distant promises, and the moon hung low, illuminating the garden. I ventured further until I spotted a familiar figure slumped over a bench, gazing up at the sky.

"My lord," I whispered, my breath visible in the chilly air. I hurried over, pulling my shawl tighter around my shoulders.

He didn't turn to look at me, but I could see the way his shoulders sagged, the weight of his sorrow heavy upon him.

"Scarlett," he said, his voice thick with alcohol, laced with a sadness that cut through the night. "You shouldn't be here."

"Neither should you," I replied, kneeling beside him, my heart aching at the sight of him like this.

"You need to come inside. It's too cold for you to be sitting out here."

"Why should I? The world is colder than this bench," he muttered, still staring up at the moon.

"What's a little chill compared to the ice that has settled in my heart?"

I wrapped a warm blanket around my shoulders and reached for another, draping it over him as he slumped further into the wood.

"You're going to catch your death out here," I urged, my voice firm but gentle. "Please, talk to me."

He let out a harsh laugh, a sound devoid of joy.

"Talk? What is there to say? My family is gone, and I'm left to bear the burden of their absence, of this cursed throne." He turned his head slightly, eyes glimmering in the moonlight. "I want to blame someone. Anyone. But who?"

"My lor—"

"I can! It's your sister, Meredith, who's woven this web of madness! And Nicholas! If only they hadn't conspired, none of this would have happened!" He took a deep breath, and I felt the anger pulsing through him. "And yet, here you are. Part of me wants to punish you for being her sister, but I know it's not your fault."

I recoiled slightly, hurt at his words. "My lord, please—"

"No!" he interrupted, raising a hand. "You don't understand. Every moment I try to be calm, to carry on as if everything will be alright, the truth stabs at me. Henry didn't just die. He was murdered, by the burden of the throne and the crushing loneliness that came with it."

His voice broke, and he buried his face in his hands. "And now, it's all on me. I can't lose more people, Scarlett. I can't! The thought that I'll never see them again, never hear their voices... it's suffocating."

I knelt beside him, desperate to bridge the chasm of his pain. "My Lord, you won't lose me. I'm here, and I won't leave you. We can face this together."

He looked at me then, his eyes filled with a tumult of emotions.

"But what if it's not enough? What if I can't bear this burden? This weight is killing me, my dear Scarlett."

"Then let me help you carry it," I said softly, my voice steady. "You're not alone in this, no matter how dark the night feels. We can find a way to make sense of it all, to seek justice for Henry. You have me by your side, and together, we can fight."

His expression softened, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of hope in his eyes. "You truly mean that?"

"Absolutely," I replied, placing my hand over his. "You are not alone anymore, my lord. We'll navigate this darkness together."

He let out a long sigh, the tension in his body easing slightly. "This is the first time you're being kind to me."

"That's not true," I protested, a smile breaking through as I met his gaze. He placed his hands over mine, and I leaned into his touch, hoping to offer him some strength and to show him that I would always be there for him.

The next morning, I lay in bed, watching Lord Darius as he prepared for his day. The soft light of the early sun filtered through the balcony doors, casting a golden hue across the room. He stood by the mirror, adjusting his cufflinks, his movements fluid and sure. The sunlight caught the angles of his face, making his blue eyes glow in a way that made my heart stutter unexpectedly.

I clutched the sheets tighter, trying to steady the sudden pounding in my chest.

What is happening to me?

A strange fluttering sensation spreading through me as I watched him. I had seen him countless times before, but now... now it felt different.

He looked up, his eyes locking with mine, and time seemed to slow. Every step he took toward me made my pulse race faster.

"You're awake, my dear," he said, his voice soft as he sat on the edge of the bed, placing his warm hand over mine.

I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry.

"Are you going out?" I asked, trying to ignore the warmth that spread through me at his touch. His presence was overwhelming, and it took everything in me to maintain composure.

"Monarch duties," he replied, his voice steady, though I could see the weight of the previous day still lingering in his gaze.

I hesitated for a moment before asking, "How are you feeling?"

He gave me a small, bittersweet smile. "People who are gone won't return," he said quietly. "But they leave behind memories. I have some of the best memories of Henry, and I want to cherish them. I'm fine now," he added, though his eyes betrayed him. The smile didn't quite reach them.

Before I knew what I was doing, I leaned forward and gently pressed a kiss to his cheek. The action surprised me as much as it surprised him. His eyes widened, and his grip on my hand tightened slightly, as if anchoring himself.

The room felt charged, the air thick with something unspoken.

"Scarlett, yo—" he began, his voice rough, but a sudden knock on the door interrupted him. I saw his jaw tighten in frustration, his shoulders stiffening as he rose to answer it.

Mr. Alistair stood on the other side, his usual stern expression fixed in place.

"We're running late. You need to come now if we're to make the meeting with the Monarch on time."

Lord Darius's lips pressed into a thin line, his gaze flicking back to me before he answered. "Yes, I'm ready."

As Mr. Alistair turned and left, he lingered for a moment longer, his eyes softening when they met mine.

"This conversation isn't over," he said, his voice filled with quiet determination. "We'll finish it when I return."

And with that, he gave me a small, teasing smile the kind that made my heart flutter before stepping out of the room. The door closed softly behind him, and as it did, I felt the warmth he brought with him slip away, leaving me feeling cold and oddly empty in his absence.

I sat there, staring at the door for what felt like an eternity, wondering what had changed between us. Whatever it was, it couldn't be ignored any longer.