Chapter 56

For a moment I almost forgot to breathe. He was simply standing there, smiling and talking to some men. The very person who was the source of my misfortune and downfall of Deremoth. 

"Kian, are you all right." Tod was looking at me with a worried expression.

"Yes, I'm fine." I managed to respond.

"Don't worry Kian, I will kill him for you." He whispered into my ear. 

I looked at him in disbelief.

"Don't do anything stupid. He is a prince and he is skilled in combat." I warned him.

I knew it myself yet my eyes were fixed on the prince. He was in his early thirties or late twenties. Short black hair and equally dark eyes. 

"If I didn't know how much you hate that man, I would have been jealous." I suddenly heard Lorcan whispering into my ear.

I looked at Lorcan and bit my lips. 

"Don't do it, you will hurt yourself. He will come here any moment now." 

I looked back only to notice that both his wife and Jay were standing next to us. There was also another person, a young blond haired girl with big blue eyes. She smiled lightly and I assumed it must be Jay's fiance. The one that Lorcan and his wife have chosen. 

Prince Hadrim Moreta was slowly making his way towards our party. He wasn't alone. Behind him I also saw a young girl with brown hair and brown eyes. She looked elegant and pretty proud. They were greeted by the count Krolack who was the owner of this impressive castle and the host of today's ball. After that the prince came directly to Lorcan. 

"Count Wermonth, or should I say The lord of the Bridge?" He smiled, greeting Lorcan.

"I see your whole family is here, countess." He bowed his head a bit and then looked at Tod and Jay and finally me.

"I believe we didn't have the pleasure of meeting each other." He suddenly addressed me.

"Oh but we did prince Moreta. My name is Kian Murreyson and I am the former prince of Deremoth." I looked him straight in the eyes.

For a moment he was taken aback, I made use of that moment and continued.

"So the pleasure of meeting each other again is all yours." I added making Tod snort with laughter.

"You seem to be doing quite well." The prince regained his standing quickly. "I wasn't aware you had any connections with the count Wermonth?"

"I don't, my lord. I'm .." I didn't manage to finish my sentence as I was interrupted by Lorcan himself.

"Kian is a part of my house now."

"Interesting." The prince smiled, looked at me from head to toe and smirked, guessing my position.

"Anyway, I'm here to introduce my beloved cousin Marina Waldenberg." The girl stepped to the side and made an elegant courtesy. I looked at Jay who was standing with a light smile on his face.

"I believe you have received my letter count Waldenberg?" The prince was back in his element not paying me any more attention.

"I did, your highness. Thank you for your generous offer, however I must decline. You see, my oldest son Jay already has a finance. Baroness Caitlin." The blond girl also made a courtesy and I was watching Morreta's expression as the position he was sure to secure for his cousin was stolen by a simple baroness.

The prince looked at Lorcan.

"That's a surprise - he said quietly - since when?"

"Today we shall announce the engagement." Lorcan looked emotionless.

"I see, count Wermonth, shall we have a word?" 

"Of course."

Both men stepped aside leaving a blushed Maria Waldenberg alone. It was awkward. The girl wasn't sure what to do for a moment but then she bowed and left without a single word. Jay and Tod went to assist their father and I could only watch their backs. They were talking in a serious manner. They weren't loud yet I noticed their conversation wasn't running smoothly. A servant with wine approached them and offered some wine to them. Tod and Jay took the glasses and so did the prince handing one to Lorcan. 

I was wondering whether Lorcan will manage to get out of that complicated situation or will he finish as another prince's foe.

"It doesn't seem to go well." The lady remarked.

"What is happening?" Lady Rewana was right next to us ready for some more gossip.

"The prince of Morreta offered his cousin as a spouse for our son Jay yet he has already promised to marry lady Caitlin, the daughter of baroness Rois."

"Are you going to reject royalty for a baroness's daughter?" Lady Rewana was in her element.

"Well, Jay has chosen his own fiance." Lady Ashling used the fan again to cover her face; only her eyes were visual.

I was rooting for Lorcan, I wanted to see the prince humiliated at least a bit. I knew I couldn't do anything else except glaring at him with hatred. 

Everything that had happened since his invasion and my whole dawnfall was actually that man's fault. I wouldn't be here now, right now I would have probably strolled on the corridors of my own castle and talked to my family. I wouldn't be looked down on by some minor nobleman. 

There suddenly seemed to be a bit of a commotion. I noticed that one of the glasses with wine was dropped on the floor and suddenly I saw Lorcan was swaying and almost fell on the floor but luckily he was supported by Tod.

"Father, father!" I heard Jay shouting. 

Both Lady Ashling and I rushed to them. Lorcan was lying on the floor with a pale face, his body was shaking a bit and I could see some blood coming out of his mouth.

For a moment I stood frozen.

"Medical, we need a medical here!!" I heard myself shouting. I wanted to push them aside and grab Lorcan but his son was next to him and his wife was kneeling too. I was just a lover. I had no right to be there right now. All I could do was standing there and watching the whole horror unfold in front of my eyes. 

Lorcan wasn't moving anymore, a man was pushing through the crowd that gathered around us watching the free show with hungry eyes.

"Excuse me, let me through. I'm a doctor." He knelt next to Lorcan and checked his pulse, put his head to his chest and then looked at Lorcan's face and lips that turned blue.

Before he announced it I knew it.

Lorcan was dead.