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Once Flynn had become the Laird, he had gone to the King and arranged a ceasefire between the clans in order to stop the fighting. The MacKie and O’Donnely clans were two of the biggest and richest clans in all of Scotland, and they could not have afforded to be constantly at war with one another. Hence, it had seemed like the right decision to Flynn.
Although now, the King had thrown yet another problem towards them, and Flynn had no choice but to march right into the enemy’s house and find a solution.
“Do ye think I am enjoying this, Billy?” Flynn asked, dismounting his horse as he eyed the large garden and the even larger castle. It was evident the O’Donnelys were wealthy, although Flynn knew his clan was richer and stronger.
“I ken yer not, Me Laird. Although, what choice do we have?” Billy observed, and Flynn nodded silently. He needed to meet the Laird O’Donnely and be out of this castle as soon as he possibly could.
He could notice how the servants in the castle were staring at him and Billy with disgust evident on their faces. Flynn had never wished for this to happen, although now, after ten years, he did not know what to do. Even if he wished to solve this, it would be impossible for him. The enmity had started with the kidnapping of Aiden Wright, but now, it felt as if the clans were used to feeling this way. Even if Flynn wanted, he would never be able to do much in that regard.
“Laird MacKie,” a tall man, who was possibly the man at arms for Laird O’Donnely, greeted Flynn just as he entered through the open doors of the castle.
“Aye.”
“I will take ye to the Laird’s study. He is waiting for ye,” the man announced, and Flynn silently followed behind him till he was met with large wooden double doors which directly led into the old Laird’s study.
As Flynn entered inside alongside Billy, he noticed the study was nothing exceptional. It was lavishly decorated and well suited to the tastes of any man. His eyes travelled directly to the man sitting behind the giant table, and he recognized him from when he had seen him a year ago.
It had been a year since he had seen Astrid Wright, the only woman whose kiss he hadn’t yet forgotten, whose name was still seared into his memory. Flynn had first seen the Laird when he had come looking for Astrid, and now, he was seeing him again. The man looked older, frailer but immensely angry still.
“Laird O’Donnely,” Flynn greeted him respectfully as the Laird motioned towards the armchair. He went ahead and sat down as Billy stood behind him.
The Laird walked in front of him and sat down, extending a glass of brandy in his direction. “I willnae waste time in asking how ye are ‘cause frankly, I couldnae care less about it,” he began rather rudely. “We both ken we are here because of the missive that the King has sent to both ye and I, and that matter needs to be solved.”
“I am nae here to waste time either, Laird O’Donnely,” Flynn said, making sure his words were soft and uttered carefully. “I am angered by the missive as much as ye are. The King thinks he can order us around and force me to marry yer daughter, but I have nae desire to do that at all. I am as much against this match as ye are. Now, all we need to do is find a way to escape this without angering the King.”
“Why would the King even pass such an order!” Laird O’Donnely said furiously. “He knows darn well how we are sworn enemies and would never agree to this. Why would I ask me daughter to marry the man who abducted and killed my son, my heir—”
Flynn was trying his best to keep his anger under control, even if Laird O’Donnely was making it increasingly difficult, but he couldn’t keep quiet any longer. “With all due respect, Laird O’Donnely, if yer so confident we killed yer son, what makes ye think we can’t do that to ye or yer daughters? We have already explained to ye how the MacKie clan was not involved in any such affair, yet, if it is so difficult for ye to believe, just remember me clan is bigger and stronger than yers, and if we could do it to yer heir, we can do it to ye.”
“Are ye threatening me, lad?”
“Nay, Me Laird. I am simply stating facts, which I am certain ye both agree with and understand, since ye brought them up. Now, let’s deal with the problem at hand. The King wants a betrothal between Astrid and me, and later on, a marriage to make sure the clans come together and our enmity ends. I have nae desire to marry yer daughter, and I am certain she would share similar sentiments. What do ye suggest we do?” Flynn asked, maintaining his calm demeanor.
“We dinnae have much choice in the matter. We cannae deny the King, hence we will need to think of something else,” Laird O’Donnely said, the anger in his voice dying down a little.
“I suggest Astrid and I get betrothed,” Flynn said but raised his hand as the Laird began to get angry again. “Let me finish first, Laird O’Donnely.”
“My daughter isnae getting betrothed to ye.”
“It will only be a betrothal in name, something to show the King and nothing else. Astrid can come live at me castle for a few weeks until we make up an excuse about how she and I cannae get married and end the betrothal. The King will be pleased we at least tried to be civilized, and till then, we will have ample time to think about an excuse. What do ye say?” Flynn suggested, knowing they had no other option.
He had already analyzed the situation entirely and knew this was the only way out. The King needed to be appeased with time, and the only way of bringing that about was a betrothal between himself and Astrid.
“I will have to talk to Astrid about this, but I ken she will agree. Both ye and her dinnae have much choice,” the Laird announced, standing up. Flynn followed suit and stood up as well, not wishing to overstay his welcome.
“I will return in two days’ time to take Astrid with me.”
CHAPTER3
If someone had toldFlynn a year ago that he would be visiting the O’Donnely castle twice in one week, he would have never believed it.
He could never forget the fights, the constant battle between these two clans. He had fought on many an occasion, had both killed and been almost killed, but he could not be happier now that it was over. It felt as if a terrible phase was finally over, even if for the next few weeks, Astrid would be his supposed betrothed.
“I swear to God, Me Laird,” began Billy, who had once again refused to let Flynn go alone, “if I have to come here one more time, I will not be able to tolerate it.”
“We willnae have to come here again, Billy,” Flynn reassured his man at arms. “We just need to take Astrid with us today, and then we can be in peace for a while until we find a way to break off this betrothal. Also remember, no one but extremely close people on either side know that the betrothal is fake, hence, never say something about it out loud.”
“No one knows except ye, me, yer grandmother, and…” Billy trailed off, and Flynn turned to look at him as they finally entered the castle and headed straight for the library.
