The Dark Rose 🌹 {18+}

༺21༻

'Woman have some desires that only trust can reveal.' - Jeff Hood

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I collapse face first onto the bed, my eyes red and puffy, my emotional barriers crumbling after what went on during the Royal court. It was now late and I would give anything to forget what had transpired today.

I can feel Aldérics presence behind me, his gaze burning holes through my back. I roll onto my back, the back of my head and body digging into the gold sheets. I stare up at him, my thoughts are messy and unorganised but what I wouldn't give to know what's he's thinking and feeling right about now...

I grit my teeth together, my eyes accusing when I say, "How could you let him do that to them? They didn't deserve that, none of them did." I seethed, searching his expression for an ounce of emotion or thought.

Surely he had some sort of influence in this place.

Why would you let that girl die?

I go silent, waiting for a response. He buries his hands into his trouser pockets, releasing a heavy sigh, "My father is a complicated man." He averts his gaze to the back of the room, appearing deep in thought as if withdrawing some memories, "He doesn't listen to me anymore. The only person he confides in is Ornella." He says her name with disgust.

It's obvious he doesn't like his stepmother.

"But still, he's your father." I state, not understanding how his father can refuse to listen to his own flesh and blood.

Blood will always be thicker than water.

Perhaps for Aurélien, this isn't the case.

My previous judgments may have been wrong, Aurélien would rather indulge in Ornella's advise rather than Aldérics.

How interesting...

"Do you agree with what was done?" I question, my heart aching at the burning image of Estelle being bled dry and Caleb's useless attempt at stopping it.

Aldéric returns his gaze to mine, our eyes locking as he remains expressionless, "No, I never agreed with the decision to regard humans as slaves or pets. However, I have to keep up appearances..." his words trail off when he decides to sit on the edge of the bed. "If I show displeasure towards the ways of my kind I will forfeit the throne and have my people turn against me. I can't risk that."

I can understand where he's coming from but I give him another perspective when I say, "What if there are others with similar views to your own?"

He shrugs, "I'm sure there are, and in time I will give humans the rights they deserve but for now, I have a part to play."

He truly does care for humans.

"Why did you take me from Richard?" I question, hoping this moment of vulnerability between us will allow him to open up more. "The real reason." I press, hoping for an authentic reason.

His eyes flash, a smile tracing his lips, "I already told you. I feel some sort of pull towards you, something pushing me to protect you from what he was going to force you to do.It still boils my blood to think about it."