Annie Wilson
The first ray of sunlight slipped gently through the wide window, danced across the spacious room, and softly brushed against my face. Feeling its warm touch, I squinted reluctantly, sleepily rubbing one eye, noting to myself that my bed felt unusually hard today. Yet, somehow, I’d never been more comfortable. Strong arms held me tightly, stroking my back, while a steady heartbeat thrummed under my ear. Now that was strange...
I yawned and slowly opened my eyes, not immediately grasping where I was. The almost unfamiliar surroundings didn’t ring any bells, and being pressed against a man’s chest didn’t help me see much either. I stole a quick glance upward and froze, recognizing the person whose embrace I was in. Suddenly, nothing else mattered.
The morning was already magical, destined for nothing but wonderful moments! How could it be otherwise when I’d just woken up next to the man I loved (or rather, on top of him, if we’re being precise), held so tightly it felt like he was shielding me from the entire world? And even though we were sitting (well, he was sitting, and I was definitely lying) on a plush, soft rug on the floor, I felt so good... better than I ever had before.
Hmm, I guess that’s why they say, “Even bread and water are fine, as long as your sweetheart’s by your side.”
A gentle hand stroked my hair in an entirely unconscious gesture. I nearly purred with contentment.
The realization of why we were together and what had happened last night—last night, someone tried to kill me (!)—crashed into my mind like a tornado, sweeping away all the romantic haze. I shot a sharp look at the man beside me. His gaze, heavy with sadness, searched the first sunbeam illuminating the blue sky for remnants of lost hope. It seemed like he’d lived through more in this one night than in his entire life before. He looked so... grim, worn out, exhausted... miserable... that my heart fluttered wildly in my chest.
“Danny,” I called his name, slowly sitting up. My neck felt stiff from the night. Mmm, maybe a massage? What am I even thinking about?
He turned his eyes to me and forced a smile.
“You’re awake. Good morning, my queen...”
“Did I die or not?” I tried to joke. Not exactly a home run.
“As long as I’m alive, not a single hair on your head will be touched. I swear it!” he whispered in a way that sent shivers down my spine. I smiled, awkwardly lowering my gaze.
“No one came during the night? That’s weird, don’t you think?”
“Let’s think about how we’re going to leave Logan... The capital is far, and they could intercept us on the way,” he said, his voice laced with worry.
“We’ll take an entire army with us. The key is to reach the first barony. We’ll stick to busy streets to get there... I’m up for anything. I can ride in a carriage or on horseback. Horseback would be faster...” I laid out my ideas, still not pulling away from the head of my security. He smiled and nodded at me.
“A carriage is safer...”
“Why do you look so upset? Everything’s okay for now. Did something else happen?” I peered into his eyes with such intensity, hoping to find answers... but there were none.
“For now, it’s okay,” he echoed, lifting his gaze to meet mine. He looked at me intently, carefully, as if studying me... as if having some internal conversation. I wished he’d talk to me instead. Finally, reaching some sort of agreement with his inner self, he gave me a tender smile. “Don’t worry, my queen. We should start getting ready to hit the road.”
That was his gentle way of asking me to get up and stop pressing the head of the kingdom’s security into the wall. I obediently leaned back, but at the last second, I changed my mind. I felt compelled to express my gratitude somehow.
“You stayed up all night, watching over me... Danny, thank you,” I said. He hurried to explain that it was his duty, but I didn’t let him finish. I couldn’t stand the thought that he was only with me because he had to be. “I know it’s your job, but I want you to know you do more for me than you have to. Remember that I appreciate it.”
I gently touched his face with my hand, sliding it down to his neck, catching the stunned handsome man off guard. Then I quickly leaned in and softly kissed his slightly stubbled cheek.
Only after that did I stand up and head to the bedroom, setting a meeting in the first-floor lobby in half an hour.
I got ready at a pace that was anything but royal. Lucenia, who had packed my clothes the night before, now helped me wash up and literally jump into a dress. The footmen carried my trunk of belongings to the carriage, and I, throwing on a fur cloak, strode majestically behind them, unwilling to linger in this palace a moment longer. Strangely, with the dawn, the paralyzing fear that had made me gasp and tremble the night before dissipated like fog over the sea. I was ready to fight again. Especially if a certain blond, impossibly wonderful man would be holding my hand.
But he wasn’t in the lobby. Not after five minutes, not after ten... No one knew where he’d gone. No one could find him. I sent most of my guards to search for him, leaving myself with just a few. Panic slowly started to overpower my other emotions.
“Your carriage is ready, milady. We can set off on our journey,” someone said in the background. Suddenly, the whole world became background noise, and all that remained in the foreground was me—alone and vulnerable once again. My mind conjured vivid images of my Danny being killed by the henchmen of some half-witted noble, just to strip me of his protection, to leave my people without a commander, and to ambush me on the road. I swear, I wasn’t as scared yesterday as I am today. Yesterday, I feared for myself; now, my heart was tearing apart at the thought of losing the man I loved.
When had I fallen so head over heels? When had I let my love grow so strong, so all-consuming? Like a drowning person who’d fought the current for so long, I’d given every ounce of strength to the battle and finally let the waters claim me in their majestic embrace. I could no longer resist... I had to admit to myself that this was how it was. And who knows... maybe if I learned my feelings were returned, I’d act on them. But right now, everything felt empty except for the fact that my Count Aaron had disappeared, possibly in danger, and I didn’t even know where to look for him.
“Milady, I’d like to speak with you about your decision,” came the sharp voice of Clarissa from behind me. My guards stopped the dowager queen, following orders not to let her near me.
“There’s nothing to discuss,” I snapped. “Tell me instead, where is Count Aaron? If you’ve done something to him...”
“I haven’t seen him today,” she said, feigning surprise, though she quickly regained her emotionless demeanor and narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “Why would I do anything to him? And even if I did, it’s hardly fitting for a queen to worry so much over a servant...”
“I’ll ask again: where is Daniel?” I hissed, ignoring her advice and not believing a word she said. But suddenly, footsteps to my right and a quiet, hoarse voice interrupted our exchange.
“Milady...”
Daniel Aaron
“I love you, my queen... more than I’ve ever loved anyone... Forgive me...” I whispered barely audibly, clutching a dagger in my hand. Tears... there were too many of them... so many that Dan could no longer see anything: not the beauty in his arms, nor his own hand raised above the sleeping girl he loved with every fiber of his soul. And just then, a charming smile appeared on Annie’s lovely face as she mumbled something incoherent and tenderly wrapped her arms around his waist. In that moment, he realized he’d just lost something infinitely precious—his family.
That thought was killing him. Dan knew he was handing his family over to certain death, but the dagger slipped from his hand, disappearing into the soft fibers of the rug. The hand that had just held a deadly weapon now fiercely pulled the queen closer. And in response, Annie smiled in her sleep, returning the embrace of her savior... now truly her savior.
He understood that this night was all he’d have to remember the girl he’d always love. Tomorrow, when she woke in his arms, she’d hurry to pull away. She’d rush to Bert. And for them, nothing would change. But who knew if tomorrow would even come... For now... for now, he held her, stroked her, embraced her, and played with her silky hair, running his fingers through it.
When had he let his feelings drive him to madness?
How could he have acted so recklessly, betraying his family for a woman who would never be his? That, by the way, was a quote his mother had once said to him...
He was the one playing a double game. The one who’d deceived the dowager queen for so long. The one who’d earned the absolute trust of the young ruler. The one who always found a way out of the most hopeless situations. And now, he couldn’t find one... He was forced to choose, and he chose HER.
If someone had told him six months ago that this would happen, he would’ve laughed until he cried. Now, there was no laughter. Only silent tears tracing paths down his cheeks.
He couldn’t come to terms with it. He knew winning was impossible, and no matter how events unfolded, he’d lose. As a knight in love, as the gentleman he’d once considered himself to be, he couldn’t stab a woman in the back. Especially not the one he loved. If he did, his world would collapse, shattering into tiny, fragile pieces.
But how could he forgive himself for dooming his little sister and mother to death because of his choice? Wouldn’t the world collapse with their deaths too?
His heart clenched painfully. For a loving son and brother, the sun promised never to rise again. But as a subject of Lantonia, he understood that the lives of two or three people, including his own, weren’t as important as the kingdom’s welfare. Annie was a symbol of the nation’s prosperity; the people needed her. And he needed her... more than anyone else. Even if she’d never be his. Just let her live. She deserved to be happy.
As for his family... he’d do everything to save them. He’d offer Clarissa his life in exchange for Shahrid and his mother. He’d figure something out. But he wouldn’t become a murderer.
The night, during which he aged a thousand years, passed unnoticed. Staring at the first rays of sunlight rising on the horizon, Dan didn’t even notice when Annie woke up and sweetly called his name. He loved how she said it. From her lips, “Danny” sounded so tender and trembling that angels sang in his soul. But not today. Guilt and fear for his loved ones’ lives wouldn’t let him enjoy life.
Surprisingly, as they continued talking, she didn’t rush to leave his embrace. The silly girl didn’t understand that playing with a man in love was dangerous. She still saw him as a servant, a friend, a brother. But that kiss... Do you kiss a servant like that? So deeply... so sensually... so tenderly... until butterflies fluttered in your stomach and shivers ran down your skin... And it was just a simple kiss on the cheek.
He agreed to meet in half an hour but wasn’t sure if he’d make it. He had to try to protect his family.
And so, after watching his beautiful queen head to her bedroom and mentally saying goodbye to her, he confidently made his way to Robert and his mother.
The pair was waiting for him in the nearest hall to the royal apartments, just a few rooms away.
“It’s done, I hope?” Clarissa asked in a low voice, jumping to her feet as Aaron appeared before her. For the record, aside from Satan’s main minions, who were casually sipping coffee while awaiting news, their soldiers were also in the room, clearly preventing the count from settling scores with these vile, despicable creatures right then and there.
“Is she dead?”
“You can kill a person, but not what they fought for,” Dan countered, sidestepping a direct confession that he couldn’t carry out the order. “Leave Shahrid and my mother alone. They’re innocent and pose no threat to you.”
“Well, if you’ve done everything as we commanded, they have nothing to fear...” the dowager queen said confidently. “Now we must announce to the palace that Annie is dead. Before Ileria and Philip put Orian on the throne, we need to head to the capital immediately.”
“That’s a bad idea,” Dan replied.
“I want to make sure everything’s in order,” Clarissa said, casting a distrustful glance at the man before peeking into the corridor. She looked out and froze, spotting Annie Itelion, alive and well, stepping regally out of her chambers.
She jerked back, whirling toward the count. Her face, twisted with rage and disappointment, was a sight to behold. Well, Aaron was almost glad he’d lived to see this moment and hadn’t given his enemy a reason to gloat.
“What is this supposed to mean? You didn’t kill her? Really? Knowing that your family’s lives depended on it, you chose her?” Clarissa hissed, unleashing her venom and hatred toward the entire world.
“Let me explain,” he tried to wriggle out, knowing he was dancing on a knife’s edge.
“What are you going to explain, traitor? How will you explain this?” Robert growled, his face purple with fury.
“Ileria and Philip will seek revenge for Annie’s death if she’s killed here. They’ll stop at nothing to take the prince’s life. I’ll deal with her at the palace, framing someone else. Please, trust me. I did this...” Dan rattled off, already imagining how he’d sneak his sister away and hide her with their mother once they returned home.
“You did this because you couldn’t kill the woman you love!” the king’s widow barked, resembling a dog snapping at passersby. Her face wore exactly that expression. The only thing missing was drool dripping from her mouth, heavily painted with red lipstick. “Only a fool wouldn’t see that you’ve fallen for the girl! I gave you everything! Even my niece’s hand, and you...” Choking on her emotions, the woman couldn’t finish her rant. The same couldn’t be said for her son, who was far more eloquent.
“Damn you, Daniel! Now you’ll see what happens to those who betray me! Your Annie won’t live long anyway... But you won’t be around to see it! You know too much, but hear me, Aaron, everyone you love will be executed one by one!” Robert hissed, stepping closer to his former friend.
Dan wasn’t about to accept their deaths, so he swiftly reached under his coat, pulling out the deadly weapon he’d been ordered to use on the queen. It was just a small chance...
“You’ve forgotten something,” he said in a calm, even tone, preparing to strike the first blow. But the prince was too skilled a warrior to fail to block it. Even the element of surprise didn’t save the count—Clarissa had warned her heir with a shout.
“Who are you raising a hand against, traitor? Though, not bad. Too bad it didn’t work,” the late king’s son sneered, grabbing the arm of the kingdom’s head of security.
The soldiers seized the man, disarming him. They had no desire to talk to Daniel any longer. A powerful blow to the ribs from the crown prince couldn’t drown out the pain in his heart, only diluted it.
“You’ve made a huge mistake, Daniel! There’s no turning back!” the widow spat furiously, unable to resist slapping him in retaliation for her son. And, it must be said, her hand was heavy, despite her outwardly feminine demeanor.
“I’ll talk to Annie,” she declared before finally storming out, while, on the prince’s orders, the loyal soldiers continued the work the royal dynasty had started.
Dan tried to fight back, but he was too exhausted and weak to take on five armed brutes. When he collapsed to the ground, unable to endure the beating any longer, and they kept pummeling him, the count thought he wouldn’t last much longer. This was his death.
But they weren’t in a hurry to kill him. They hit his ribs, legs, stomach, and back, but didn’t use weapons to end his suffering. They kept entertaining their master, who watched it all with the expression of someone reveling in their own cruelty, sipping his coffee.
“You know, Dan, I always thought you were one of the smartest people in my circle. You could’ve reached great heights, but you chose this kind of death. I’m sorry... You don’t see it, but deep down, I’m heartbroken. Annie ruined you... Enough, leave him,” the last part was directed at the soldiers. They obediently stepped back, not delivering a single extra blow. And Dan felt sick: once, he’d been like them. No, he hadn’t beaten people, but he too had followed vile orders at the slightest whisper.
Robert approached, casually placing his heavy boot on the shoulder of his former friend, now lying helplessly on the ground. He hooked it and shoved, forcing the count to roll onto his back. Dan had no strength to resist, but his mind remained clear. No, he didn’t regret his choice. Again and again, he was ready to endure torment, humiliation, and death for his queen. Too bad he’d realized it so late and had already harmed her when he should’ve been standing behind her with all his strength.
“And who will ruin you? Your mother... Your thirst for power... You’ll choke on your own poison,” the count whispered with his last bit of strength.
The smirk on Robert’s face vanished. A grimace of anger took its place.
“Lift him up. This is Daniel Aaron, after all. Lift him!” he ordered menacingly. The soldiers rushed to the man again, roughly grabbing him by the shoulders, arms, and the tattered remnants of what had once been a fine coat. They forced him to his feet, still holding him up. All so the prince could spew another dose of venom and strike the head of security in the chest once more.
“And how do you plan to explain my death to the queen?” Dan asked, trying to cling to the last shreds of his dignity.
“Oh, don’t worry about that. I’ll tell her you went into the wing under renovation, and a beam collapsed under you. By the time they pull your body out, there won’t be much for your queen to recognize. I’ll send her to join you soon enough, so don’t fret. Beat him until he’s dead,” the valiant knight issued his command. Aaron clearly remembered his face in that moment, filled with a calm smirk and the familiar malice he reveled in.
Robert didn’t stay to watch his orders being carried out. He gave the count one last look and left the room, his steps echoing. “This is it,” flashed through the blond man’s mind. The beating continued, and death began to seem like a mercy.
End of Chapter One