The Villager

29

THE VILLAGER
ʚɞ Ruth ʚɞ

Arabella is pacing in her room as Serena tries getting her to take a seat and stop worrying. Josephine and I are seated across the couch, awaiting for Arabella to come up with a plan. I can see her mind running, and I know she is up to something.

She bites on her nail, ignoring Serena's pleading. "I cannot take this. I have to know."

"What must you do? Walts into your husband's office and demand answers?" Serena exclaims.

Arabella nods. "Yes, that is exactly what I shall do." With her head held up high, she walks to her bedroom door and we all follow her lead, following her through the halls until we come across the office.

The halls are quiet, but we can hear everything coming from the office.

Arabella lays her back against the wall, her ear close to the door. We are right behind her, peeking through to see if we could catch anything.

"You must tell your wives, gentlemen. This will only cause more trouble if you do not," Rafe speaks and all of us share a look before looking back to the door.

Jaxson sighs. "It is killing me not to share anything with Arabella about the mess, but I do not wish for her to worry. Especially since she is carrying our child."

"Has the ruler of India said anything else in those letters?" Ugene is next and it has me raising my brows that he actually spoke.

"Only telling me one thing..."

"And what is that?" Timothy further asks.

We hold our breaths before hearing the truth, in hopes that it isn't too bad.

"Prepare for war."

Arabella tenses at the door, her whole body freezing and it forms into a line behind her ending in Serena. Josephine lets out a nervous breath, I can hear her breathing in and out as her feet take her away from the door to keep quiet.

War.

We were at war with India.

Lockwood, our beautiful country. Our beautiful people.

Tears form my eyes as fear crawls up my throat. I cover my mouth as a sob breaks through, I look at Serena whom has her back turned, her shoulders shaking in a cry of her own.

Arabella looks to us, her jaw clenched, she holds her head up high and breaks through the office door.

"Arabella!" Serena exclaims and it gains everyone's attention in the room.

We follow into the room with her, and she is pointing at her husband in anger. Jaxson rises from his seated position on his desk, his eyes filling with fear at seeing his wife angry with me at knowing the truth.

"How dare you!" She exclaims.

The gentlemen backed up away from her, knowing she was on her way to slap her husband. She does when she stands in front of him, she pushes at his chest and a sob rakes through her.

"How could you?!"

It was heartbreaking to see the Queen sobbing to her King, and him trying to grasp at her wrists to stop her attack. She backs away from him when he tries reaching for her, and shakes her head.

"Bella, you must allow me to explain everything. I shall explain everything."

"Is this how our marriage is going to work?" She replies. "You lie to me and tell me everything's okay, I end up finding out the truth in the end. You keep doing this, why?!"