The Villain Alpha's Cursed Mate
Chapter 65: Figured Out Her Plan

Chapter 65: Figured Out Her Plan

"We’re doing what?" Finnian’s eyes widened in surprise when his sister summoned him to the tower to explain her plan the next morning.

"We’re leaving the palace," she answered, holding his hand, and the confusion on his face was evident. "I know none of what I’m saying makes sense to you right now, but I will explain everything in due time. For now, I need you to trust me and follow my instructions."

Finnian’s gaze roamed the tower, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings before returning his gaze to Esme. "So we’re ’escaping’ from the palace. Is there some reason you’re being secretive?" He crossed his arms, his expression stubborn. "Don’t I have the right to know what’s happening?"

"I’m not saying I won’t tell you, but that’ll have to wait until we’re safely outside the palace walls." Esme kept her tone gentle and understanding. "For now, I need you to pack a few essential items and have them ready by midnight. I’ll come get you, and we’ll leave from there."

Finnian’s brows furrowed, his eyes narrowing as he grasped the gravity of his sister’s words. "Has the king done something to make us flee?" he asked, though he knew better than to press for answers. "I’ll pack my bags then. I know for sure that you must have your reasons, but you’re still going to tell me later."

Esme didn’t mind his insistence and cautioned instead. "Remember, Finn, this is our secret. Let the day unfold as usual, without so much as a whisper on our plan. If anyone suspects a thing, we’ll both be in grave danger. Do you understand?"

Finnian’s eyebrow furrowed as he digested his sister’s plan, his fingers scratching his head in a lazy, thoughtful gesture. "I think I get it," he finally responded, his voice laced with a hint of relief. "To be honest, I never really fit in here. I used to think the palace would be an adventure in a fun way, but I was so wrong about that. There are too many rules to follow, the councilors are intimidating, and I feel like I’m constantly walking on eggshells."

He poured out his true feelings to Esme, releasing a sigh that expressed the weight he had unburdened from his shoulders. "I was willing to tolerate it cause I knew you were going to marry the king. But now..... I’m glad we’re leaving, whatever the reason maybe."

He turned on his heels, tossing a casual wave over his shoulder. "I’ll start packing, see you later, sis."

Esme’s face creased into a warm, nostalgic smile as she watched her brother exit the tower. After many years of living in isolation and uncertainty, she felt she was starting to make the right decision for once.

As planned, the rest of the day unfolded smoothly, with Esme indulging herself in the same tiring royal activities. She spoke with Leonardo who informed her of the private carriage he had set outside the palace walls, and Esme couldn’t help but feel grateful to him for his assistance.

As he turned to walk down the hallway, Esme called his name, her tone soft but sincere. "Leo." He then paused, his eyes crinkling at the corner as he glanced over his shoulder to see her smile his way.

"Thank you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "For everything."

The subtle curve of his lips was a fleeting moment of warmth before he continued down the stairs, leaving Esme to savor the brief exchange, and the fact that he didn’t stop her from referring to him as Leo. The remainder of her day was spent with Lady Clandestine in the open courtyard, and they talked about Mr Irwin’s health.

The conversation then diverted to the past, during the time the late Alpha Zephyr had sparked war within the people of Illyria.

When nighttime arrived, and the palace was as quiet as a graveyard, Esme picked up her bag and was ready to leave her room for good.

She opened the door, but her departure was unexpectedly thwarted by Dahmer’s sudden appearance at her threshold. His unexpected presence was like a cold wind on winter’s night, sending a shiver down her spine.

Esme’s eyes widened as she stumbled backwards, her gaze fixed on the man who had once leaned on his crutches for support. He stood tall and menacing before her, and his dark brown eyes bore into hers like a sinister challenge. The air seemed to thicken as he stalked towards her, his twisted smirk a harbinger or ill intent.

"Going somewhere, Esme?" He asked, his voice low and dark as he grasped her wrist in a viselike grip. The sudden contact was enough to snap Esme out of her momentary paralysis, her instincts screaming at her to break free from his grasp.

"Let go of me!" Esme’s voice rose in desperation as she futilely tried to wrest her wrist free from Dahmer’s grasp. Her bag fell to the floor, abandoned in her struggle as she twisted and turned to break free.

But before she could escape, a stinging slap cracked across her face, sending her tumbling onto the bed. The unexpected blow left her reeling, and her mind raced to catch up with the sudden violence.

"You really think I’d let you get away after the humiliation you put me through, huh?" Dahmer’s face twisted in rage as he yanked her off the bed, his fingers digging deep into her arm. "You listen to me, and listen good. You’re going to marry the king, and the wedding will be held tomorrow. No one cares if you approve of it or not. You are to obey orders cause that is all you were born for, do you understand me?" His voice bounced off the walls, and Esme could feel his fingers digging painfully into her skin.

She met his gaze with watery eyes, a clear mixture of fear and anger embedded in them, and she seethed, "I’d rather be crippled for eternity and left to die than bow to your whims. Now get your hands off me!" In a desperate bid to save herself, Esme sank her teeth into his hand, biting down hard enough to pierce the skin.

Dahmer’s howl of pain was music to her ears as he released her, momentarily taken aback by her defense.

Seizing the opportunity, Esme made a break for the door, her feet pounding against the floor as she sprinted out of the room. She slammed the door shut behind her, locking Dahmer inside before darting through the corridor.

"Hey!" Dahmer’s enraged bellow echoed through the corridor, and he pounded his fist on the door. "ESMERAY, GET BACK HERE! GET BACK HERE OR YOU’LL SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES! THEY’LL BE FATAL, I SWEAR IT!"

Esme didn’t flinch at his menacing threats, ignoring his tantrums. It was hard to process everything that just happened in the twinkling of an eye, but one thing was certain, Dahmer had figured out her plan.

Everything will be fine as long as she reaches Finnian’s chamber, she convinced herself. He should be waiting for her, bags packed and ready so they could leave before Dahmer’s noise draws attention.

They can still make it out of here! She strongly held onto that hope.

However, as she burst into Finnian’s chamber, her heart sank. The space was eerily empty, devoid of any signs of her brother, and that made her heart race in fear. His bag lay neatly packed on the bed, a testament to his readiness, but Finnian himself was nowhere to be found.

"Finn!" Esme called out in a state of panic. She searched his bathing chamber, but it was too deserted.

Where was Finnian?

Just as she was about to give in to her fears, a voice spoke from behind her, its tone dripping with malice as it said. "You don’t have to worry, your dearest brother is in good hands, Esmeray."

Esme felt her body stiffen as she knew that voice. She turned around, and her gaze landed on Lennox who stood at the entrance, a cold expression on his face. Before Esme could react, he slammed the door shut from the outside, and Esme could hear the sound of the lock clicking into place as she hurried to open it.