Crown Of Hearts

Chapter 25

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Darius came to visit a little while later. He cleared his throat when he noticed me.

" My prince. I hope you're feeling better."

" I am." Theo stared away from him.

" We're doing all we can to find the man who did this. We won't rest until he is found, your highness."

Theo nodded.

" Clara, may I have a word?" Darius asked.

I followed him into the hallway and to a spot a few feet away from prying eyes.

" Where were you last night?" He said.

" I was next to you the entire dance?" I replied.

" After that. You disappeared when the party was over."

He couldn't possibly know that I was trying to escape. Could he?

" I needed some time to myself. I didn't like the elites with Theo." I said softly, it was scary how easily the words came out of my mouth. Maybe because a part of me knew it wasn't a lie.

Darius seemed to believe me, " It looks suspicious that you were the first to find him especially how you reacted afterward."

" That's understandable. No one knows about us." I said softly, " Except you. I never asked, how did you find out about us?"

" It wasn't hard to see that Theo was completely infatuated with you since you've arrived."

I flushed.

" And you're not the hardest book to read."

" Where has Frederick been?" I changed the subject quickly.

" He's been cooped up in his room since the party."

" He did this. He doesn't deserve to be protected like this."

" Clara. He didn't do this. He has an alibi."

I stared at him.

" A girl was found with him." Darius rubbed the back of his neck, " She has no reason to lie."

" They both could be lying. I don't believe he didn't have anything to do with this."

I sighed and looked towards Theo's door.

" You should get back, he'll get suspicious if we're alone together for too long."

Theo was looking outside the window when I returned. I had sensed something had changed since I had left.

" I'm used to things being taken from me. I'm the youngest of my brothers. They've always been bigger than me and stronger." His hand tightened around his blankets.

" I know you disappeared last night and no one knows where you were. I also know that Captain Darius was missing."

Theo turned his head, his eyes were hard. Much harsher than I had ever seen and he kept his eyes on me.

" If you like Darius. Please just tell me."

My mouth went dry. He had every right to be suspicious, I couldn't tell him the real reason I was with Darius.

" No." I said roughly, " Never."

" I saw you in his room and at the party."

" I can't explain that. But you have to believe me." I said softly. " I never want to hurt you."