THE Knight's Hidden Princess
Chapter 97: All I Can Say

Chapter 97: All I Can Say

REAGAN POV

I stood right out the tent where Heather was busy tending to Dahlia. I had stood outside, listening to her cry for ours before it turned into sniffles and finally it became quiet.

Fuck! I still can’t believe what had happened. She just riled me up and I thought I was going to pull a joke on her but instead of that I had thrown her inside the river. I had thought she was joking, I mean what kind of princess doesn’t know how to swim? They have a huge pool back at the castle!

But I’ll never forget that look on her face, the look of pure terror as I threw her in the river! It was the first time I would be seeing it on her since I’ve known her and I’m afraid to say it will haunt me for days.

Heaving at a sigh, I raked a hand through my hair as guilt ate me up from the inside.

Gods above, I fucked up!

I have witnessed Dahlia in both anger and fury while she harshly cursed me without hesitation. The strength she displays in confronting a Kashkil warrior bigger than herself without faltering was very impressive.

I have never witnessed terror within her. Not like that and the worst part it was because of me.

Leaning my back on a tree nearby, I glance up at the worn night sky waiting for Heather to come outside. I could still hear gentle soothing voice inside as she tried to placate Dahlia who had remained quiet even though I longed to hear her voice and I do not care if she threatened me again.

Her silence was unusual and surprisingly scary.

I began pacing outside of the tent not sure whether to barge in and fall on my knees and apologize or get her another basket of fruits so she could throw them at me. Just when I was about to make a move, the tent flap rustled and Heather came outside.

Her piercing gaze found mine from where I stood off at a distance like a coward and without any acknowledgement she turned and walked away from me.

Great, now even my servant was mad at me! I thought to myself and with another heavy sigh, I decided to go after Heather who was now walking faster, looking like she was trying to get away from me.

"Heather!" I called but all she did was just push herself to walk faster and she was definitely trying to get away from me.

"Stop right where you are!" I said this time around, my tone authoritative knowing fully well that she had no choice to listen to me.

Heather stopped in her tracks then turned to look at me slowly but she was looking anywhere but at me.

She held her arms tightly across her chest while tilting her chin in a position that felt as if I was about to be scolded and by a mere servant no less.

A long breath escaped me while I ran my fingers through my unwieldy hair. Gods, I really fucked up!

Clearing my throat, I stared at Heather, daring to ask. "How is she?"

"How do you think?" Heather retorted to which I arched a brow up at her directness. Seeming to know who she was talking to, Heather adjusted her stance as she stared up at me. "You are a very, very horrible person, my lord and my lady doesn’t deserve the way you are treating her."

I nodded already knowing that she was going to defend Dahlia. "I know what I did was horrible to her."

"Horrible?" Heather asked me with disbelief. "You tried to kill her."

My jaw clenched as I tilted my head to the side. "Okay that’s a bit stressing it don’t you think? I mean how was I supposed to know that she couldn’t swim?"

"You are right you don’t. But that’s because you never gave a chance to know her." Heather stated, You can’t stand to be in the same space with her, can’t speak one word without you hurting her in the process and even when you guys manage to be together, you ended up trying to kill her!" Heather yelled at me but it seemed like she wasn’t done because she continued. "Do you know how much she had to endure? Not once in her life has she ever felt an ounce of comfort, her own family hates her, the one she married into couldn’t even care less about her, the people also hate her and will take any opportunity to kill her and her husband, the one person she cared about suddenly turned on her and tried to kill her today!" She yelled at me.

"Heather, wait..."

"The least you can do as a husband is be on her side even when the whole world is against her. She has done nothing but bend backwards trying to please everyone and it doesn’t even matter if she gets hurts in the process because no one cared. That poor child has lived all her life carrying her father’s sin on her head and all she needs right now is someone who will offload that burden for her. Tell her it wasn’t her fault and that’s okay. But it doesn’t matter how much she tries, she will always the monster in the kingdom and always get persecuted for it." Heather rushed out, "And do you want to know the worst part, she thinks it’s okay but it’s not! My lady is the most kindhearted person I know and when she loves hard, she will go through any length for that person. She doesn’t deserve the hate she gets, her father’s sins aren’t hers to bear so maybe do the right thing and try to unburden it or just...just set her free!" Heather’s voice cracked on the last words.

I took some time to ponder her words before I turned to look at the tent where Dahlia laid inside. My fists clenched at my sides, nails digging into palms.

Everything she’d said was true. Though she might not have the right to say it to me and I know the only reason she had the courage to say it was because of how angry she was. Every word she said was the truth no matter how harsh, it was the kind of truth that ripped you wide open and made you see how much of an arse you’d been.

And I was, a big arsehole!

"I know the real reason why you married her." Heather whispered and my gaze snapped to her immediately hardening but Heather to her credit didn’t back down. "Don’t worry, I won’t tell her! It’s not my place to but a relationship is based on so many secrets and hate isn’t bound to end well. So find it in your heart to tell her the truth or just let her go!" Heather whispered the last words before she turned to leave.

I stood in the silence for a bit, taking in everything Heather said, especially the part where she said she knew exactly why I had married Dahlia. It’s no secret she does, Heather was my mother’s handmaiden before she was passed down to Dahlia. So it was obvious that she must have heard a thing a thing or two at the servant’s quarters. Everyone knew if you were interested in the latest gossips and want to find out information the best people to see are the servants.

Servants acted as the premier source for getting access to current gossips among society members because everyone knew that they had their ears to the ground. Servants listened to all secrets which people shared behind secret doors while nobles revealed their inner thoughts in their inebriated state.

But what I want to know is what information Heather knows?

That I’d wed Dahlia out of obligation? Out of duty to the crown? Or did she know the dirty truth — the one I’d hidden so deeply I could barely confess it myself?

Feeling more confused than ever, I turned towards the tent and before I knew it I was already walking towards it. I pushed the flaps open and I entered inside, an apology on my lips but that soon died down when I took in the sight in front of me.

Dahlia laid on my bed, curled on her side as she fell fast asleep. I noticed she had changed into some dry clothes but her hair still looked wet. Her face looked peaceful and her hands were curled tightly on her side.

As if being pulled forward by some inexplicable entity, I headed towards her, kneeling down on the side of the bed. Before I could stop myself, I reached forward and gently traced a knuckle on her pale skin.

Gods, she was beautiful! Way too beautiful to look at, my chest hurt from staring at her.

I stared at her taking in her appearance when I noticed some tiny blisters on her hands. Those were probably caused from the labor she was doing at the refugee camp. She might have told me, but I had Eddie report everything to me but even he had said he wasn’t giving up the location of the refugees.

I stared back up at her face while still kneeling down beside her. "I’m sorry." I whispered because that was all I could say, "I’m sorry!"