Chapter 288: Elarin’s identity unveiled.
Roland waited for her answer, either denial or an admission. His gaze was sharp and unrelenting, daring her to lie to him. He already knew, no matter how she answered, he knew and that fact was not going to change.
Sigrid looked away from his eyes, staring at the wall of the courtyard. She had always told Elarin to only behave submissively when they were out of the public eye. When other people were around, she was to remain neutral, speak to Sigrid less and sometimes coldly.
To the outside world, it had to appear as if there was no collusion between the two of them. They had both kept to these rules so how had Roland caught on?
Was it because she and Elarin had started playing cards and enjoying evening tea with Mauve and Christie since they moved to the royal castle? Maybe she should claim that Elarin was young and bored so they were just friends.
But he knew. Of that, she was sure but how long he had known, she did not know so she decided to ask. "How long have you known?"
Roland exhaled, releasing a breath that even he had no idea he had been holding back. "Long enough."
He turned her face to look at him but she chose to look at a tent inside. She didn’t like it when people knew her secrets, not even those closest to her. It made her feel naked. If he knew about Elarin, what else did he know? Did he know about the brothel? About the organization? His mother!!
I need to calm down...she thought. If he knew about the queen, he would have confronted her already. What she had done could be considered unforgivable, depending on how Roland felt towards his mother.
He turned her face towards himself again and kept a firm grip on her jaw so that she could not avoid his eyes. "You were careful, but not careful enough. No woman of the king gives way to a crown princess when they meet. Elarin always steps to the side when you two pass by each other.