Princess for brother

Chapter 9

George was a calculating and manipulative man. He could see the way Clara was looking at him — with adoration and awe. Her feelings were nothing more than a tool for him to use for his own purposes. George knew that Clara's love could be a great way to put pressure on Ashley, to show her that he was capable of winning hearts despite all her doubts and resistance.

Every day George worked out his plan more carefully. He decided to use Clara's naive dreams to his own advantage, without thinking about the pain it might cause her. His goal was to make Ashley jealous, to show her that she wasn't the only woman who could get his attention.

One day, while walking in the garden, George deliberately walked past Clara, who was watering the flowers. Their eyes met, and Clara felt her heart beat faster. George gave her a small smile and continued on his way, but that brief moment was enough to make Clara feel hopeful.

A few days later, George asked Clara to send him a cup of tea to the library. When she entered the room, he looked at her with feigned interest."Clara, you are so diligent in your duties. Your diligence is commendable.Clara blushed with embarrassment and gratitude. Those simple words sounded like a confession of her own worth to her.

After this incident, George began to occasionally address Clara with small errands, each time paying her a little attention, throwing affectionate words or light compliments. Clara, on the other hand, took this as the first sign of a response.

Meanwhile, George was preparing his main move. He wrote a letter in which he gave fictitious details about his allegedly deep feelings for Clara. The letter was written so artfully that it seemed sincere, although in reality it was only part of an insidious plan.

When the letter was ready, George asked one of the servants to leave it unnoticed in Ashley's room. He hoped that Ashley would find the letter and see how seriously he took Clara's feelings.

And his calculation was justified. Shortly after the letter ended up in Ashley's room, she came across it. At first, she didn't think much of it, but as she began to read, a strange feeling of unease and annoyance came over her. The words in the letter were so sincere that for a moment Ashley doubted her suspicions about George.

"Can he really have such feelings for Clara? What is it? she thought. "Or is this just another of his games?"

Ashley read the letter over and over again, trying to figure out what was behind the words. She was filled with conflicting emotions: on the one hand, she did not want to believe that George was capable of genuine love; on the other, she could not deny that the letter made a strong impression.

Meanwhile, Clara, unaware that she had become part of an insidious plan, continued to dream of reciprocation. She often imagined George reading her thoughts, guessing her desires, and finally acknowledging his feelings. These dreams became more and more real to her, and she became more and more immersed in the world of her illusions.

Ashley couldn't shake the thought of the letter. She knew that George was trying to manipulate her, but at the same time, she couldn't help but admit that it hurt her. "Could it be that I'm just jealous? What is it? she asked herself. "Or is this really part of his sinister plan?"

Travis, noticing that Ashley was acting strangely, tried to find out what was bothering her. But Ashley didn't immediately share the contents of the letter with him. Only after much persuasion did she show him the message and express her concerns.

Travis frowned as he read the letter."This is clearly George's attempt to influence you. He wants to show that he can easily win the hearts of other women to make you jealous.

But Ashley still wasn't sure."And if it's true?" If he really has feelings for Clara?

Travis looked at his sister sympathetically.— I know George better than you do. His motives are always self-serving. He is not capable of genuine love.

These words calmed Ashley down a little, but in her heart, she was still worried. She knew Travis was right, but George's letter had left an unpleasant impression on her mind.

Meanwhile, George watched the situation unfold with cold calculation. He had seen the effect of the letter on Ashley, and he knew that his plan was beginning to bear fruit. But at the same time, he did not forget about other aspects of his plan, continuing to weave a web of intrigue in the ancient Kembel Palace.

Clara, on the other hand, was still living in the world of her dreams, unaware that she was just a pawn in someone else's game. Her heart was full of hope and her mind full of illusions about a happy future with George. And while she believed in her dreams, George continued to use her feelings for his own devious purposes.

As the days passed, the tension in the palace grew. Ashley sank deeper and deeper into the depths of doubt and worry, Travis worked out a plan to finally expose George, and Clara continued to dream of reciprocating, not noticing the dark sides of what was happening. Only George remained calm, confident of the inevitability of his triumph.

But fate is an unpredictable thing, and no one could know how things would turn out in the next moment. Kembel Palace seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the outcome of this dangerous game, where the stakes are the life and happiness of its inhabitants.

The tension in the ancient Kembel Palace was growing by the day. Ashley found herself thinking more and more about the letter George had supposedly written to Clara. These thoughts haunted her, stirring up conflicting emotions in her soul. On the one hand, she understood that George was capable of the most insidious tricks, on the other, she could not completely reject the idea that there might be some sincerity in his actions.

In the meantime, Travis kept trying to protect his sister from George's influence. He could see how worried Ashley was, and it only made him more determined to expose his friend's devious plans. Travis knew that George would stop at nothing to get his way, and he was prepared for the worst possible scenario.

One evening, as the sun sank below the horizon and candles were lit in the windows of the palace, Travis decided to have a direct conversation with George. He found him in the library, sitting in a deep chair with a book in his hands, but it was obvious that he wasn't doing much reading.

Travis strode in without ceremony."We need to talk, George. I know about your letter to Clara and how you're trying to influence Ashley.

George slowly put down his book and looked at Travis with a slight grin."You've always been blunt, Travis. Well, let's talk. But remember that friendship is a fragile thing, and you can destroy it with your suspicions.

"Friendship?" Travis fought back his anger. "You call that friendship?" Your manipulations and attempts to use my sister and the servants in the palace are not friendship, but betrayal!

George leaned back in his chair, as if enjoying the drama of the situation."I'm just trying to find my own happiness, Travis. And if Ashley doesn't love me back, why should I turn down other opportunities?

Ashley, who had surreptitiously approached the library door and heard the last words, felt her heart tighten with pain and anger. She couldn't stay away any longer and entered the room."How can you say that, George? You use people like they're pawns in your game!

George turned to her, and there was something like annoyance in his eyes."Ashley, you don't understand. I sincerely want to be happy, and if you can't appreciate my feelings, then I have the right to look for love elsewhere.

"Love?" Ashley smiled bitterly. "Your actions tell a different story. You think only of your own desires, regardless of the feelings of others.

Travis looked at his sister sympathetically, then turned back to George.— You must stop manipulating me. Ashley deserves better treatment, and I won't let you hurt her.

George got up from his chair, a dangerous twinkle in his eyes."You're too protective of your sister, Travis. Maybe you have more than just brotherly feelings for her yourself.

The words were like a thunderclap. Ashley's face paled, and Travis fought back a surge of anger."Don't you dare say that! My bond with Ashley is family, nothing else.

Ashley felt conflicting emotions begin to boil up inside her. George's words stung her more than she'd expected. Could he really have twisted her relationship with Travislike that?

At that moment, footsteps were heard in the corridor, and the three of them froze. Soon after, Margaret came into the library. She looked around the room and said:— What's going on here?" Why are you arguing so loudly?

Travis summarized the conflict without missing a single detail. Margaret listened intently, occasionally casting wary glances at George. When Travis had finished, she spoke thoughtfully."George, your actions raise serious concerns. You must understand that your games can have unfortunate consequences.

George just shrugged, as if Margaret's words meant nothing to him.— I'm acting with the best of intentions. And if someone can't figure it out, that's their problem.

Ashley couldn't contain herself any longer.— Your "best intentions" are just a desire to get what you want, regardless of other people's feelings! You don't respect anyone in this house!

George looked at her with cold disdain."You may be right, Ashley. But as long as you can't offer me anything better, I'll follow my own path.

With that, he left the library, leaving Ashley, Travis, and Margaret in heavy silence.

Ashley sank into a chair, feeling a wave of exhaustion and frustration wash over her. Travis walked over to her and put a hand on her shoulder.— We'll find a way to stop him, sis. I promise.

Margaret sighed.— This conflict could destroy our family. We have to find a way out before it's too late.

But Ashley already knew that Kembel Palace was on the verge of dark times, and no one knew how things would turn out in the next moment. George was too dangerous and calculating to hope for an easy resolution of the conflict. And her own feelings for him and Travis were becoming more and more complicated, making her life a maze with no way out.

As the days passed, the tension in the palace only grew. Ashley was sinking deeper into the depths of doubt and worry, Travis was devising a plan to finally expose George, and Margaret was trying to keep some semblance of peace in the family. Only George remained calm, confident of the inevitability of his triumph.

But fate is an unpredictable thing, and no one could know how things would turn out in the next moment. Kembel Palace seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the outcome of this dangerous game, where the stakes are the life and happiness of its inhabitants.