AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Never apologize for your feelings!" she said, upset. "And especially, never apologize for what those two bastards did to you! They deserve to burn in hell. They're the ones who should be locked up and deprived of their freedom, their rights, and their voice. Such men do not deserve the life they have been given!"
Surprised, I looked at the normally calm young woman. A smirk crept onto my face. I liked her and her hidden fire, as well as the feeling of trust between the two of us. I vehemently pushed aside any fears that haunted everyone these days when it came to strangers approaching. Loneliness had become a greaterenemy to me in recent months than the Knights of the Seals and the danger they posed. I was suffocating, and Aza was my oxygen.
"Please call me Myrina," I said, taking her hands in mine. Astonished, the maid interrupted her detailed indignation about my attackers and their possible punishments.
A smile stole onto her lips as well.
"You're very welcome, Myrina." Her anger was blown away; instead, she radiated a warmth. "You can always come to me if you have any worries," she added.
"And you, of course, always to me," I assured her. Very briefly, a veil of sadness settled over her blue eyes. It was clear she had no lighter burden to bear than I did.
"You need to get dressed quickly now and come down for breakfast. Your father and brothers are expecting you," she hastily diverted from the subject, only to scurry busily across the room the next moment to get my clothes.
Will she ever tell me what happened to her?I asked myself silently as I got out of bed for the first time in months without that oppressive pressure on my chest.
CHAPTER 14
Alittle later, I sat at the breakfast table with Dad, Chris, and my two other brothers, Jordy and Rick. If we hadn't unconsciously drifted away from each other over the past few months, one would have thought that a real family was eating together here.
But appearances were deceptive. It was the first time we had been together since my mom died. She was the one who had always held the family together. Without her, we lacked the natural glue that united us in every childhood mischief.
Apparently, it was reserved for the female members of this family to provide the necessary cohesion. No matter whether wanted or how, in my case, unwanted. At the moment, it was rather the circumstances of my possible kidnapping and the associated securing of my protection that united us. I wonder if Mom could see us now and shook her head reprovingly with her typical mild smile. Especially in these difficult times, we should have moved closer together, but precisely the opposite had happened. Was this oursecond chance?
Stephan walked busily from one side of the table to the other, refilling coffees, passing bread around, and paying no attentionto me at all. Otherwise, he always stared at me. That made me uncomfortable, but this new behavior was no less creepy.
Did he know what had happened to me? Last night, he had been in my room again. At least, I could vaguely remember hearing his voice.“Such a mistake must not happen again.”What had he meant by that?
"Stephan, please get a pot of chamomile tea from the kitchen. The coffee is hitting my stomach this morning," my father suddenly interrupted the silence.
“Of course, sir, coming right up.” Reluctance appeared in Stephen’s gaze. Hastily, he looked around again, hoping he wouldn’t have to leave the room after all, but then admitted defeat and disappeared through the door the next moment.
Silently, Dad slid me a piece of paper and pen.
What happened yesterday?I read. I looked at him uncertainly, but he nodded encouragingly. What should I write?
Since Stephan could return at any moment, I opted for a significantly reduced version of events.
Two men tried to kidnap me. Got away. Need more training! Weapons training!I hastily scribbled under Dad’s question before handing him back the note and pen.
My father quickly skimmed the lines and passed them on to his sons. As soon as the message reached him again, he quickly pocketed it. I knew for sure he would destroy it at the next opportunity.
My father looked at me thoughtfully, a worry line forming on his forehead. He looked only briefly at my brothers, who gave him a nod.
Sighing across the table, he took my hand in his. It was big, warm, and reminded me of how I used to walk by that hand when I was a little girl.
"It's fine," he breathed and gently stroked my fingers with his thumb. Footsteps approached the dining room, and my fatherwithdrew the security he had just given me. As soon as Stephan entered, all four men were busy with breakfast, supposedly in the highest concentration.
"Your tea, sir." The butler's voice was cold and, at the same time, resonated with an uncertainty that urged me to look Stephan in the face. Our eyes met, and I had the feeling of diving into the ice-blue sea of his eyes very briefly.
“Myrina, since your confession had been canceled yesterday, I suggest you make it up tonight. Would that be all right with you, Chris?" My father's voice snapped me out of this surreal moment.
“Yes, of course, Father. Myrina is always welcome at St. John.” In confirmation, Chris gave me a loving smile. “Regarding the confession, I wanted to discuss something with you anyway. I'm afraid an hour is too short. Myrina has a lot to talk about that needs more time," he unperturbed.
“What do you suggest?” My father looked expectantly at my brother.
“Two hours, for sure.”
A hum punctuated Dad’s thoughtful expression until he finally nodded and turned to the butler.
