Chapter 12: Count Abell

DAHLIA:

“I was leaning over the lotus flowers, and it got caught and broken into pieces. I tried to recover the broken pieces, but I can’t,” I abruptly explained to Kaist as my heartbeat escalated rapidly.

Before he could say something more, one of the attendants in the party approached us. “Lady Hurst, Your majesty, I am an attendant of Count Abell from Crohmwall District. He is requesting an audience from the two of you.”

I had heard of the newly-installed count from my attendants earlier this week. Apparently, the original count and his family from Crohmwall District had become poor enough to sell their family title to a blossoming merchant from Linderon, an allied kingdom in the north of Talandor.

This was becoming a common practice nowadays. We are slowly feeling the effects of continued rogue and vampire attack on the lands, especially in the far-flung places of the kingdom, like in the case of Crohmwall District.

“Tell your master that we will meet him some other time,” Kaist replied. This certainly felt like a business meeting. It was usual for a new noble to meet with Kaist or his father in this manner to curry favor with them, and I can’t believe that now, even I would be involved in such a lifestyle. “My fiancé isn’t feeling very good. She needs to retire to her chambers now,” Kaist continued.

“I see, your highness. Then, I shall inform my master at once, but before that, he wanted to bestow this gift to the lady.” The attendant snapped his fingers, and another assistant came bearing a dark ornate box. He opened it, and inside was a silver necklace with a dark violet stone at the center, an amethyst.

“My master extends his congratulations to your upcoming wedding, and he also sends this necklace as compensation to the one the lady has lost…”

My eyes rounded up in surprise. How did the new count of Crohmwall District know I had lost Kaist’s necklace just now?

While I was still thinking of a sane explanation, a man spoke from amidst the crowd.

“I hope the lady forgives me for losing her jewelry, and though my gift can never be enough to compensate for it, I wish she would accept it...”

My face must have turned pale like I had seen a ghost, for before me was none other than Tristan.

Kaist unconsciously shoved me behind his back, acting as a barrier between me and Tristan.

That was good – my face was showing such a surprised look that I’m sure I’ll be the center of rumors if people come to look at my reddened face closely…

“Pray, how are you at fault with the loss of the lady’s necklace?”

“I saw from afar how she had lost it and how vexed she was looking for it. I wanted to help her look for it, but I thought she might misunderstand my intentions, knowing that we are not closely acquainted yet.”

So far, Tristan’s words were far from the truth, and I watched how he was able to say all of these things without batting an eyelash or breaking into a cold sweat, just like what I was doing now.

“Then, there is no need for you to feel sorry, Count Abell. Lady Hurst and I shall meet you in another time to discuss this matter more closely...”

“There is actually another urgent matter I need to discuss with you, your highness,” Tristan said. I looked at Tristan. There was a glint in his eyes that said he was about to do something utterly stupid. He continued his speech. “You see, I had fallen in love with Lady Dahlia at first sight, and I am here to take her away from you.”

My jaw dropped. How can he say such a bold thing in front of the nobles and especially in front of Kaist?

Kaist looked at him, his eyes as sharp as a dagger. “You insolent little thing!”

Hastily, I went in between him and Tristan “Let’s talk this over privately,” I said, dropping my voice down several notches. Oh Goddess, how I would have loved to have the power of a mind-link at this point!

I turned to Tristan without looking at whether or not Kaist has agreed to my suggestion. “Please come to the chambers with us. We would very much like to talk this matter over with you.”

In truth, I wanted to scold him and pull out the wavy locks that frame his face. How can he be so bold and foolish! To think that he had done that in front of everyone else! Did he turn mad?

‘Precisely,’ I heard someone say in my head.

I yelped in surprise. The whole entourage following us was shocked at my sudden scream. I smiled a bit at them and regained my composure quickly.

‘What the – Tristan?’ I asked the voice inside my head once more.

‘I’m glad you can hear me now too, Lady Hurst. Didn’t I tell you we’ll meet each other soon?’

‘Yes, but not like this!’

Our eyes fell at each other as we waited outside a chamber while Kaist’s attendants prepared the room. Tristan’s dark violet irises had no outward emotions in them, but I can feel the soft warmth in his voice.

“I’ll make sure I get you out of this predicament, my lady… Just trust me…”

Declaring his intentions openly and challenging Talandor’s highest authority, are these his methods? Weren’t these very reckless plans, if one could even call these as plans? If this was how he does things, I don’t think I can trust him that easily…

Once the chamber door opened, Kaist snatched away my hand and urged me inside, breaking Tristan’s gaze towards me.

“Leave us alone,” Kaist said with a wave of his hand against his assistants. His eyebrows were beginning to twitch dangerously. I knew his patience was almost at its limits.

“Your first name, I surmise, is Tristan?” Kaist said, shooting him an unwaveringly hard look.

“That’s right, your majesty. News had come to me that you were looking for me, but unfortunately, the messengers you sent didn’t seem interested in finding me alive.”

As soon as he said this, Tristan produced an arrow tip from his pocket. It bore the official seal of the House of Lyon, the face of a lion – the present house ruling the royal seat of Talandor.

“Count Abell, I assure you that arrow did not come from me or my men,” Kaist said with a hard, cold expression in his face.

“You can try to deny it, dear prince, but tell me, who the hell would use weapons bearing your house’s emblem if not for your own men?”

I looked at Kaist in horror. I did ask him to look for Tristan, but I did not expect that he would do so to assassinate him!

“I assure you I gave no such word! There must be someone who wanted you dead and who wanted me framed for your death,” he said.

“Kaist…” I whispered aghast. I can’t believe he would say such a thing even with this evidence!

“Dahlia, I am not lying! I offered to help you find him, and my men said they couldn’t! I have never lied to you! You know me,” he said, clutching my hand.

“Then, how about your father, Kaist,” I said trembling, “did you tell this to your father? Did you tell him what I asked you to do in good faith?”

I doubted Kaist can do it, but surely the old king can…

Kaist’s eyes widened. “O-Of course not, Dahlly! Why would I tell father about this?”

“Well, at any rate, my prince, the fact remains that someone did attempt to assassinate me, that’s why I chose to reveal myself like this,” Tristan said, making us both aware of his heavy presence in the room.

“Who do you think you are to accuse me of such things and break up my engagement with Dahlia?”

“I am her fated mate. I have the right to claim her, no matter who she is engaged with, even if it is someone high and mighty like you!”

The conversation had now become a ferocious staring contest between Kaist and Tristan. This doesn’t look like it would go down in a peaceful way…

“Let’s stop this for now. Prince Kaist, I thank you for trying to help me out with Tristan, but from now on, I don’t think I can say anything about this to you… Even If we don’t admit it, many people surround us that may or may not have both our best interests at heart,” I said. I try to phrase my words in ways that Kaist would understand, but the hurt look that flashed in his eyes made me uncomfortable.

“And Count Abell, I appreciate your help, but I don’t think this is the way we can resolve this issue between us. I hope we can think of gentler and more diplomatic ways to settle this predicament.”

I looked at Tristan’s eyes and was relieved that he didn’t seem hurt. Perhaps he understood what I have meant to say.

Issue… I called this predicament an ‘issue,’ but this was actually more than an issue. It will be the ruin of my whole damned life for sure if I don’t escape from this marriage at all!…

“Dahlly, let me explain-” Kaist said, but I stopped him right there.

“Let it rest for now, your highness. I’m sure there was a good explanation on what happened to Count Abell and how someone must have known about us being fated mates. I’ll see you in the morning. Until then, please rest well,” I said, curtsying like a fool.

I turned to leave the two of them. I wanted to find someone.

The truth was I didn’t want to think about it, but there was someone else who would have wanted my mate to die and that that specific someone was here in the banquet...

That someone could well be my very own father…