Chapter 129: Both Sides
She looked confident and composed... as if she hadn’t just broken a marriage alliance between their houses, as if she hadn’t just ended her betrothal to a King.
Yeren entered the room first and took his seat, offering her the seat across himself.
"You may speak your mind without holding back."
She nodded, folding her hands on the table. Despite her sturdy composure, he could see cracks - in the way she blinked too often, the way her chest rose quicker than normal with each breath, the paleness of her skin and her whitened knuckles.
"Thank you, I intend to hold nothing back." She drew in a deep breath.
"You can despite me and slander my name as you see fit, but no harm, of any form whatsoever, should come to Andon." Averting her gaze, she continued, "I added something to his drink at dinner... which made him forget himself completely by the time you had retired to your room."
Yeren folded his arms and listened, holding back his own thoughts until she had finished speaking.
"I helped him back to his chambers... but for a reason obvious to both of us, I remained. I helped him undress and guided him into bed. Nothing happend between us, but I wanted you and everyone else to think that something had. Including Andon."
He leaned back on his chair, loosening his folded arms.
"Then why did you do it?"
She tensed as she looked up at him.
"I wanted to save you the burden of marrying me."
He blinked before masking his shock.
"And, I like Claire too much to stand beside you and pretend that her heart is not shattering into a thousand pieces at the sight of us together."
Which Claire was she talking about? The one he knew or the one she knew?
"It still doesn’t make any sense, Garelle. Why would you give up your good name, your virtue, your chance at being Queen, your family’s hopes, just to save a single woman from despair?"
Garelle leaned forward, her eyes baring to reveal what she truly felt.
"Believe it or not, I want you to be happy."
He knew that wasn’t the only reason she did it.
"You thought that he’d become a free man, didn’t you? And that you’ll finally have a chance to become his wife?"
Something flickered in her eyes, then it was gone.
"I gave up wishful thinking years ago."
Yeren met her gaze, wallowing in her intense stare.
"He will hate you till his dying day if that happens, no matter your reasons."
She blinked back the tears burning behind her eyes.
"Then so be it. I have no regrets whatsoever. I can only hope that he marries some other woman and has children of his own."
"And what about you?"
"Seeing him happy, seeing you and Claire happy - will give me all the comfort I need."
He resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
"Are you sure? Your chances of marrying well have dwindled significantly... and the news can only be controlled for so long."
She reached across the length of the table and laid her hand in his.
He stiffened at the contact.
"I understand that it won’t be long before the whole court is aware of the scandal."
He pulled his hand away and gave her a steady look.
"And I hope you do understand that I will not be able to protect Andon from their entitled rage."
Her eyes widened.
"I’m the one at fault."
"No one ever blames the woman, Garelle."
Just then, the door opened to admit Andon.
He was properly dressed, garbed in a somber gray brocade, a white shirt and black breeches.
"Your Grace." His fists clenched when his eyes landed on the woman seated across the King.
"Lady Plumette."
Her hands fell away from the table, burying themselves in the folds of her dress, far beneath his view.
Andon’s footsteps echoed across the room as he approached the table.
His face was ashen white, ghastly at the very best.
"Have a seat." Yeren gestured at the empty seat beside Garelle.
Andon cast her a look before taking the seat.
"You summoned me, Your Grace." His tone was hard, carrying barely suppressed fury.
Fury at himself, fury at the woman beside him, fury at everything. Yeren knew the feeling all too well.
Garelle had done the wrong thing for the right reason. She would never be with Andon, the same way he could never be with Claire.
"I believe you are well acquainted with what happened at this point."
Andon nodded.
"What have you to say for yourself?"
"I deserve whatever penalty you deem fit that I should serve."
"Including a complete removal of your title and pledges to the Crown and King?"
Andon’s eyes shot up. Garelle’s lips tightened, her eyes bulging out of their sockets.
"Your Grace-"
"I hope you understand that you can no longer serve in such a capacity once this becomes known to the whole court. Demoting you would be considered mercy at the very best."
Andon sagged against his chair, his anger crumbling to something akin to despair.
"I didn’t do anything, Yeren. You have to believe me. I don’t remember anything from the previous night."
Yeren stood up, struggling to maintain the remnants of his own dignity.
"You both can leave."
Garelle rose but Andon remained seated.
"My only purpose is to serve you."
Yeren turned his back to him and poured himself a goblet of wine.
"Leave... or I’ll ask Maurius to escort you out."
Andon stood then, muttering something under his breath.
And without a word, he left Yeren.
Yeren ran a hand through his hair.
Not once in his life had he ever seen Andon so... broken. He was always ready with a smile, always ready to tease - never ready to wallow in despair.
And he felt alone.
Claire wanted nothing to do with him, and now, he had to cast Andon off to appease the court.
He needed to see her, even if it was to argue with her.
Then he summoned her.