Chapter 96: Comforting an angry prince.
In the large living room of their home, Sigrid found her husband, Roland pacing the marble floors back and forth, his face etched in frustration and anger. His nostrils flared with every breath that he took, he looked like he was itching for a fight or a way to vent his anger.
"Leave us." Sigrid ordered the servants and gestured for Mauve to stay back as well.
The door was closed and Sigrid, with her silver silken gown trailing behind her approached Roland. She placed her soft hand on his arm, causing him to pause his pacing and look into her eyes. The reassurance her saw in her gaze was a balm to his stormy emotions.
"Roland, what is it that has you up in arms?" she asked, her soothing voice relaxing to his ears. "Is it what happened out there that has you like this?"
Roland’s tense shoulders trembled slightly, and he clenched his hands. "I was just publicly accused of bedding miss Emmah. That....." he groaned angrily, the weight of the accusation sitting heavily on his shoulders. "That woman does not even know how her words affect my image. It is hard enough having people speculate about our marriage but now you have fools stirring the water with such nonsense. I am sure that soon, the accusation will be brought up in the royal court and some people will use it to discredit me in different ways."
Sigrid stepped closer, wrapping her arms around him, resting her head against his chest. "You are an honorable man Roland and a great crown prince. If rumors were all it took to take down great men, there would be no great men left in the world.
If someone accuses you of this in open court, just mention some of the rumors out there like Emmah being the king’s daughter. Ask the accusers if there is a truth to it, I am sure that they will not bring it up again.
Whatever, they say, make an example from something related to them or the king. Trust me, the truth will prevail eventually and if worse comes to worst, I will be the one to vindicate you."
He embraced her tightly, finding peace in her arms. His tense shoulders began to relax as he allowed himself to be comforted. "How do you plan to vindicate me?"