SWNOVELS Chapter 4
Chapter 4
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I know nothing about Sir Andreas other than the fact that he’s ruthless on the battlefield. And that he does not carry the name of the Royal family. It was said that his name, Andreas Marfori Havilliard, was from his mother’s side. No one knows why he chose to carry his mother’s name when it only added to his anonymity. Rumors went around that the Alpha King did not want his bas ta rd son to carry the royal family’s name but I know the truth. It was Sir Andreas’ choice to use his mother’s name.
However, most of the talk is regarding his cruelty as a warrior. So far, I have not seen it and I have no interest in seeing it. As I pondered on it more, I also started to question whether or not it was a good decision to ask him to
marry me.
Furthermore, I think I might have come too forward earlier. A rush of embarrassment tainted my cheeks pink as I remembered our exchange that was driven by my fury and desperation after my encounter with Philip and Yvette.
But as I thought about it, he was the best person for me to marry. They already betrothed me to him
n and it wouldn’t make sense if I married someone else the people don’t know about. On top of that, how on earth would I find a man to marry in such a short time?
Sir Andreas was the convenient choice.
My neck strained as I kept looking out of the window of the carriage, trying to appreciate the view as the carriage suddenly took a turn straight to the woods. Where the hell is he taking me? Did I really make the right decision going with this man? He’s known to be ruthless for a reason. Is this where he brings his victims before killing
them–
“You’re still bleeding,” he said and I flinched. I felt the pain but I was more concerned about where he was bringing me.
“It will heal by itself, Sir Andreas,” I said, still not looking at him.
“That’s going to take a while considering you’re not a pureblood.”
I looked at him then and realized he said that on purpose to make me look.
“It’s going to heal once we arrive at our destination, Sir.” My eyes went back to the scenery outside.
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Mercifully, he did not push it but I could feel his stare boring into me. I did my best not to pay too much attention. to it and watched the gloomy scenery outside.
Silence hovered over us for a while before he started to talk once again.
“This isn’t your first time coming to a man’s house, is it?”
“Pardon?” I cursed myself as my voice became a pitch higher. I saw how his lips curved slightly and one of his brows raised, looking amused. I cleared my throat and unfolded my hands on my lap. “It’s my first time in this place, Sir Andreas, forgive me–”
“No need to apologize,” he said. My eyes darted to his hands laying comfortably on top of his folded knees. My throat went dry and I was at a loss for words.
“How have you been so far? Before this?” he inquired, resting his elbow on the sill of the carriage window. The movement was so graceful, very far from what people say about him being merciless.
I eyed him. He’s trying to strike up a conversation. Should I tell him something that would be interesting for him? What would be interesting for him? Nothing about my life so far could be interesting to a person like him.
“It was an ordinary life, Sir Andreas.”
“Being betrothed to the Crown Prince is something I would not call ordinary,” he mused. I swallowed. That’s true. I wanted to sound nonchalant so he would not ask me another question–
“Are you scared of me, Lady Henrietta?”
My eyes widened. Am I that easy to read? Unconsciously, my fingers fidgeted and his gaze landed on it. I’ve always been scared of him ever since we were kids.
I heard him sigh as though he already got the answer to his question.
“If you’re not ready to do this, we can take it slow. You can also rethink your decision. I shall take you back.
home–”
“No!” I reached to grab his hand and it was too late before I realized my mistake. I immediately let go of his hand and was about to lean back when he grabbed my hand this time, making me jolt in my seat.
“S-Sir Andreas–” |
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“Andreas. Just call me Andreas. Or if we’re truly going with this marriage, you can start thinking of your endearment for me as well,” he said and there was a slight hint of a smirk on his face. I heard the coachman cough and I knew he heard Sir Andreas” remark. I could feel the heat on my cheeks.
His thumb caressed my knuckles gently before he let my hand go and he leaned back on his seal
“So, tell me honestly. How have you been so far, Henrietta? Don’t think too much about your response. Just tell me what your honestly want to say.”
Telling him what I honestly think? It sounded tough. As a Lady and the supposed to be the future bride of the Crown Prince, I was trained to always watch what I was about to say. I was told to keep my opinions to myself especially if it’s going to damage the Crown Prince’s reputation or my family’s. I was told to think carefully and match my responses to what the other person wanted to hear. How do I become honest about it when all my life. I was told to lie?
“If I can’t force you to say it then would you mind listening to me?”
I shook my head and that was his cue. “After I left the castle, I was sent to train at a war camp near the south
borders of Veridia. I wanted to believe it was temporary but deep down, I knew it was permanent. My father sent me to train to become a warrior. He’s never fond of me staying at the castle. I was fifteen. Being a soldier was hell but I came to love it, believe it or not. I met people I wanted to protect. I met people who are not related to me by blood but treat me like family.”
I remember that day. The day he was set to leave the castle. Philip and I have known each other since we were practically babies. We grew up together and as I visited the palace often, I also met Andreas. He was older than us and naturally, his interests were different than ours. I never got to talk to him when we were younger but ! remember that day he said goodbye to me when he was set to leave to train somewhere. That was the only he talked to me and I still remember it to this day. As I listened to his story, I don’t think he remembers about it at
all.
“I loathed them. I still feel the same. When I heard what you said earlier, I thought to myself, maybe I could use you too,” he said, angling his head. “That’s all about me. That’s how I’ve been so far.”
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“You’re…planning to take revenge?” I ventured cautiously.
He nodded. “They did something unforgivable. I ought to take revenge.”
I swallowed hard, eyeing him. The surroundings were getting darker as we reached the deep part of the woods. “I am actually scared you’re bringing me into this part of the woods to do something to me.”
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He raised his brows and I heard the coachman cough once again. Sir Andreas remained silent as though waiting for me to say more. “I…I was contemplating if I made the right decision to ask you to marry me or if was I too desperate and inappropriate to ask a man to marry me first. I was thinking that maybe you would…you would mistreat me once we get married and the plan I have in my head would go to waste. I can’t find another man who would marry me so fast. I…I have a lot of things I did not consider and I think I am an idiot for coming with you all the way here when you could kill me easily.”
His brows raised higher as I said the last sentence. A heavy silence settled in the carriage, and I regretted voicing my fears. What if his intentions are pure and I offended him with my statements? What if he would pull away from the marriage?
However, to my surprise, Sir Andreas laughed. It was a short laugh but a laugh, nonetheless. I don’t know why I attached such significance to it. Perhaps it was because when we were younger, I often saw him frowning, too
serious to play around.
“You think all those frightening thoughts and yet you came willingly. What if those were true?”
“They’re not. I know you when we were kids–” I stopped myself from going further and clamped my lips.
A scoff escaped from him. “We barely talked. The first time I talked to you, you said nothing.”
I blinked. Was he talking about that time? So he does remember.
Before I could even say something more, the horse neighed and the coachman announced our arrival. The atmosphere earlier was instantly gone as the carriage door opened and we were greeted by the coachman. Sir Andreas got out of the carriage and offered his hand for me. I gingerly took it as he helped me out. His eyes landed on my wound and nodded, confirming that it was already healed.
The moment my foot set on the ground, my eyes wandered to the huge expanse in front of me. And then my eyes. landed on the manor that rested in front of us.
“Welcome to Moonblythe, Lady Henrietta,” Sir Andreas said and I could not help but marvel at the scenery in
front of me.
“It’s…magnificent.”
“You can live here if you want once we marry,” he said and I looked at him. He was just looking at the manor. How could he say those words so casually like he was just asking me to pass the salt?
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The coachman walked ahead and we both followed. Mercifully, he let go of my hand. I was scared I started getting sweaty and he’d feel it.
I tried to keep myself calm and asked, “What are we going to talk about here?”
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“About our plans to marry. What we do next…” He gave me a sideways glance before he added, “Or perhaps we could s kip ahead and consummate our marriage now, if you’re feeling adventurous.”
I froze on my feet and looked at him with wide eyes. He continued walking, chuckling as he did so and I realized he was just making fun of me. My cheeks felt hot and I know he saw it too judging from the play
smile on his
face.
Emergency calls only N…