The Courtesan

Chapter 53

Third Person's POV

“Are you still upset? I already apologized”

Kalvin was glad. Instead of blatantly ignoring his presence, she was only sulking. It was better, so much better. However, he disagreed with their destination. He could only let her do what she wanted as a good husband.

“What’s that smile? It’s so creepy.”

“It’s nothing.”

She side eyed him but that smile on his face remained. She turned her attention towards the estate that was coming to view. Her heart beat faster in anticipation and it was like she wanted to fly out of the carriage and hide. However, the watchful eyes of Kalvin never left her.

They stopped at the gates and alighted. He switched her clothes for a more cozy one and had her washed so thoroughly, she shone. The guards at the gates almost didn’t recognize her.

Lucky for her, a pissed off Amaya was standing at the gate. She was sporting a healing bruise on her lips too.

“Dr. Rivers…”

“Oh you’re back, thank the gods. They’re losing it in there… who are you?”

“I am Prince Kalvin. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Oh, so you’re the reason she didn’t return. Well, can you hand our princess over now?”

In an instant, everyone around could feel it. The burning tension between the two and the deep intent to kill. Their eyes never strayed from each other and the intent never died down. It drew in the people inside the house and Geraldine, who was already angry, became even more unsatisfied and attacked the man who held on to Elayne.

The two of them were unharmed but perfectly matched in strength. Kalvin felt his arms tremble from blocking her strike. Looking at her, the power she had didn’t match her physique, which was adequate for a lady her age.

“Do you attack all your guests like this?” he reasoned. The only reason he did that was because Elayne looked torn. He didn’t want to distress her any further.

“I don’t know what you want with her but I won’t let you take her away” is what Geraldine said but she was soon surrounded by the prince’s personal guards. Their blades were pointed at her and their intent to kill was stronger than hers.

“STOP THIS MADNESS!”

Everyone halted, looking at Elayne. She stood beside Miriam, holding her hand tightly. The duchess was already trembling with anger and fear, dying inside with the fact that she couldn’t stop them.

“I’m so sorry Lady Miriam, this is all my fault. I should’ve stopped them earlier…”

The look in Miriam’s eyes made her go quiet. She glared at Amaya and Geraldine before her eyes settled on the prince.

{Do you understand?}

“Yes, a little bit. You are the duchess?”

{Yes I am. I apologize for the rude welcome.}

“It’s my fault. I didn’t send a notice.”

{Please, let us go inside and have some tea. You two, you’re on punishment for now.}

The two huffed in anger and disappeared into the building. The prince’s guards who were bypassed quite easily were left baffled with how powerful one lady was. Just who was the Duchess?

Miram escorted them into the mansion and into the greenhouse. She asked the servants to prepare tea for them and talked to them while they waited.

{So, why have you come?}

“I came only because she asked me to. Left to me, I would’ve left the kingdom with her. I am only honoring my wife’s request.”

{After all this time, she is still your wife?}

“Even if she’s a cold, rotting corpse, she is still my wife. Our vows did say till death do us apart.”

Miriam paused, looking at Elayne. She seemed suitably creeped out but the man was just smiling. She sighed.

{I can see why you weren’t liked by the doctor. She can’t deal with irrational people. Funny enough, she has a tolerance for the one she always insults.}

“I like to think I’m unique.”

“Don’t flatter yourself,” Elayne said, tapping her feet.

“Is something the matter, Ariana?”

“I want to see Miyon.”

“Why so impatient? We can go see him together.”

The tempo of Elayne’s foot tapping increased till the point that it made them both uncomfortable.

{Let her go see him.}

“I’m sorry but I can’t really let her out of my sight.”

{So, you’re going to forcefully take her with you everywhere you go? That hardly seems decent.}

“I’m afraid she’ll take off if I take my eyes off her.”

{If she does, doesn’t it mean she doesn’t want to be with you?}

“It does.”

{And forcing her to be with you does what exactly?}

“She’ll get used to it.”

{I have seen many foolish men but I have met none like you. Do you really think because of your vows or because you love her she is obligated to love you? Have you not considered any of her feelings?}

“I have…”

{No, you have not. You seem to think binding her to you to protect her is the right decision but look at her. Ever since she has been with you, has she been at ease?}

This time, Kalvin didn’t have an answer. Miriam looked at Elayne and smiled.

{You can go see him now. He’s in the same place as last time.}

Elayne stood up and left without looking back. Kalvin glared at Miriam but he didn’t chase after her.

{I want to keep her safe as much as you want to. I want to protect her and show her the love this world has deprived her of. However, we cannot achieve that if all we do is try to make choices for her. Think about it. What does she want?}

“She wants revenge and that’s so stupid!”

{No, she doesn’t want revenge. Ever since I’ve known her, she is not the type to harbor dark intent. She couldn’t even if she tried. She feels deep resentment for the man who killed her family and would kill him if she got the opportunity to but she considers what would happen after that. What she wants is to make things right.}

“So you’re saying she wants the throne?”

{Not necessarily. What that means is completely up to her to decide and I have chosen to support her no matter the cost. As someone who claims to love her, you have to make your own choice. Your selfishness over her redemption.}

It was very tempting for Kalvin to choose to ignore the fact that she wanted to do things that would risk her life and just whisk her away to somewhere she would be safe. But she would be unhappy.

“Fine. But I’m taking her with me.”

{I don’t object to that. After all, she is safer with you than she is with me. Just don’t make me regret that decision.}