The Veil of Darkness
Chapter 224: The Truth (Part One)

Chapter 224: The Truth (Part One)

Valerius’ arms tightened around Annalise’s waist as the dark lord pulled her into a hug. His air and ice surrounded her and filled her with the warmth that she needed the most at that moment.

"Don’t worry. All three of us will be waiting right here for you. Just give us a signal through the bond and we will be right there by your side in no time." His words were like an unbreakable promise to her, one that he was determined to fulfill at every cost.

Annalise felt the light touches of her other two husbands who were also standing next to her, their presence and elements surrounding her in a cocoon of warmth and safety.

"Princess," Damien called softly and it made Annalise to finally pull away from Valerius’ arms. As she looked at him only to find him staring at the opposite end of the hallway in which they were currently present. She followed the direction of his gaze and found none other than her parents at the very end of the hallway - the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess of Seelie Empire.

The surroundings shimmered for a couple of seconds before completely disappearing as the only persons left in her vision were her parents. A heaviness took over her heart as she looked at the familiar faces of the two dearest people to her and found that she suddenly couldn’t make herself even look directly at their faces let alone into their eyes.

Shaking her head to get rid of the heavy thoughts, she turned her attention back to her husbands and while putting on a small smile on her lips, whispered - "I’m really happy that you all accompanied. Wait for me, I will get this done as soon as possible and will return to you all."

Kenric smiled warmly at her as he softly patted the back of her head. "Go on, wife. Get the answers that you are looking for and are also entitled to know. We will be waiting for you."

Accepting the strength that her husbands were sending over to her, Annalise turned around and headed in the direction of the stone staircase that was leading upstairs to the King’s study. Her eyes shifted to the other end of the hallway right before she was going to ascend the stairs and found the place empty.

She couldn’t guess exactly which emotion was dominating her at the moment. There was hope, sadness, fear, anger, and a lot of frustration for being pushed into such big messes that didn’t seem to wrap up no matter how hard she was trying.

Was she ready up face whatever revelations and secrets were going to unfold during the next hour or so? Absolute not! She was the least bit prepared for the meeting that was only taking place because she requested it.

Did she try to prepare herself to accept the truth? Only she knew how much she tried to make herself accepting of whatever was going to come her way. She didn’t really want to have too much hope but she couldn’t he’ll herself. A desperate part of her still wanted to hear her parents say that she was their biological daughter. That was all she wanted to hear and what really mattered to her. If they said it, she would believe them above any King or any evidence.

Lost in her thoughts, she eventually found herself standing right in front of the beautifully carved wooden double doors of the King’s study. Taking in a deep breath to calm herself down, she raised her hand to knock on the door as there was no guard stationed outside in the entire hallway but right before her knuckles could have made contact with the doors, they flew open.

There stood the King himself in his black, red, and golden robes though his Crown was nowhere to be seen. His lips were carrying a soft smile that failed to reach his eyes. He seemed slightly tired.

"Are you alright, Your Majesty?" Annalise asked after performing her courtesy as she noticed the slightly exhausted look on the King’s face that was making him look slightly older than his actual age.

The King shook his head as he welcomed her inside before closing the doors behind her. "Nothing to really worry about. It was just not really a good day at the court." He informed but Annalise’s attention was focused on her parents, who were already seated around the big study table, to pay attention to anything or anyone else and unlike the previous time in the hallway, she made sure to properly greet her parents with formal courtesy.

"Take a seat, Annalise." The King ordered as he moved to settle down on the main seat opposite her parents and while there was another empty seat placed next to her mother, Annalise decided to settle down on one of the couches sitting next to the wooden shelves with her unreadable gaze fixed on the three elders sitting in front of her.

"Ana..." It was the Grand Duchess who suddenly spoke in a desperate voice while on her way to stand up from her seat but it was her husband, the Grand Duke, who stopped her midway, shaking his head swiftly the slightest bit which was enough to make his wife settle down back in her seat with an aggrieved look on her face.

On the other hand, Annalise was feeling no different than her mother, that slightest call of her nickname which her mother used to use for calling her for as long as she could recall, was enough to make her yearn for her mother’s love and warm embrace. Still, she could do nothing but keep the indifferent look plastered on her face as she directed her words to none other than her father - "I’m sure you are aware of why we are meeting here like this."

The Grand Duke didn’t look at her directly but he did nod his head in positive as a response to her statement.

"Great! Then please tell me what’s the truth."