Chapter 54
Leandro and Thomas met Bennett in a secluded room within the castle, the air thick with anticipation. Bennett leaned casually against the stone wall, a confident grin spreading across his face.
“I knew you’d come,” he declared as they entered, the door creaking shut behind them. “You both hate Federico, don’t you?”
“Cut the pleasantries, Bennett,” Thomas replied, his tone flat as he crossed his arms. “What do you want?”
Bennett straightened, his demeanour shifting to one of seriousness. “I can help you get rid of him. Once and for all.”
“What makes you think we’d trust you?” Leandro challenged, scepticism etched on his face.
“Because you have no other options,” Bennett shot back. “Federico is strong, and you two are just a pair of disgruntled siblings. With my resources, we can turn the tides.”
“Tell us your plan,” Thomas said, scepticism still evident in his eyes.
Bennett stepped closer, lowering his voice. “I have information that could ruin his reputation. We create a scenario where he’s exposed for the tyrant he is, and once the clan turns against him, you can make your move.”
Leandro exchanged a glance with Thomas. “And what’s in it for you?”
Bennett’s smile widened. “I want a name. A place of power in the clan if either of you becomes king. You’ll need my help to make that happen.”
“Why would we trust you?” Thomas pressed again, unconvinced.
“Because I have a stake in this too. I want to make a name for myself, and I won’t get that by turning on you. I can be the weapon you need,” Bennett insisted.
Leandro looked at his brother, who seemed to be contemplating the offer. “What guarantees do we have that you won’t betray us?” Leandro asked.
“I promise, you have my word. When one of you ascends to the throne, I expect my reward. But you’ll need to act fast. Federico won’t be sitting idle,” Bennett explained, urgency creeping into his tone.
“Fine. We’ll make a deal. But if you cross us…” Leandro warned.
“I won’t,” Bennett assured him. “I need you both as much as you need me. Now, let’s discuss the details.”
As they began outlining their plan, the weight of their decisions loomed over them. Each brother knew they were embarking on a path filled with treachery, but the allure of power was too tempting to resist.
—
Meanwhile, Ophelia and Mack sat in their car, the engine humming softly as they prepared to leave the palace. Ophelia glanced back at the towering structure, her brow furrowed with concern.
“I still don’t think Azalea is enjoying her marriage,” she muttered, her tone laced with frustration. “She puts on a good show, but it’s all an act.”
Mack remained silent, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. The quiet stretched between them, and Ophelia could feel her irritation mounting. “Do you think she’s happy?” she asked again, needing him to engage.
“I don’t know,” he finally replied, his voice steady but distant.
Ophelia huffed in annoyance. “Why don’t you just say it? Do you love her? Is that it?”
Mack sighed deeply, his hands gripping the steering wheel. “This isn’t about that,” he replied quietly.
“Then what is it about?” Ophelia shot back. “She’s your cousin! You should care about her well-being!”
“I do care, but I can’t change anything for her. It’s not my place,” he explained, frustration seeping into his words.
Ophelia’s eyes narrowed as she challenged him. “So you’re just going to sit back and let her suffer?”
“Maybe she doesn’t want that flight,” Mack said, glancing at her briefly.
“Or maybe she’s too afraid to ask,” Ophelia retorted. “I just hope she figures it out before it’s too late.”
The car fell into a tense silence as Mack focused on driving, while Ophelia simmered beside him, the weight of her thoughts pressing heavily on her heart.
—
Back at the palace, Azalea watched Ophelia and Mack’s car fade into the distance. A knot tightened in her stomach, the unease from the previous night’s intimacy with Federico battling with the chaos surrounding her.
Vick entered the room, a clipboard in hand, interrupting her thoughts. “Azalea, the seamstress is here,” he said, his tone light yet observant.
“Great,” she replied, forcing a smile as she shifted her focus. “I’ll be right there.”
“Are you alright?” Vick asked, concerned flickering in his eyes. He knew Azalea well enough to sense that something was troubling her.
“Just tired, I suppose,” she replied, avoiding his gaze as she tried to mask her turmoil.
Vick hesitated before speaking again. “You can talk to me if you need to. I’m here for you.”
“Thanks, Vick,” Azalea murmured, grateful for his support, even if she didn’t feel ready to share her thoughts. “I appreciate it.”
With that, she followed him to the designated room where the seamstress was already setting up. As the seamstress began to take her measurements, Azalea’s mind wandered back to her encounter with Federico. The intimacy they shared felt both thrilling and terrifying, igniting a whirlwind of emotions she struggled to comprehend.
“You’re quiet today,” the seamstress remarked, glancing up from her work. “Is something on your mind?”
“Just…thinking,” Azalea replied, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “A lot has happened recently.”
The seamstress nodded, her expression sympathetic. “Well, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. You’re in a new position, after all.”
“Yeah,” Azalea sighed, her mind racing with the implications of her situation. “I just need to keep it together.”
—
Meanwhile, Maya was having a vastly different experience. She stepped outside to take a call, the early morning sun shining brightly. When she saw Bennett’s name flash on her screen, her heart raced.
“Hey,” she said, trying to keep her tone casual as she answered.
“Where have you been, Maya?” Bennett’s voice was smooth, but there was an underlying tension. “You need to do what I want, or I’ll expose the truth.”
“What truth?” Maya stammered, panic rising in her chest.
“You know what I’m talking about. The night of the ball, and everything else. If you don’t help me, I’ll make sure everyone knows,” he threatened.
Maya swallowed hard, fear gnawing at her. “What do you want?”
“I want to be king. And you’re going to help me get there,” he stated, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Meet me tonight at the bar not far from the kingdom. We’ll discuss how you can assist me.”
“I don’t know, Bennett…” Maya’s mind raced as she tried to think of a way out. The stakes were too high, and she felt trapped.
“Just think about it,” he said before hanging up, leaving Maya standing there, a sense of dread washing over her.
—
Back in the palace, Azalea felt the weight of her situation. She tried to shake off the feeling of unease but couldn’t. The seamstress finished adjusting her dress and stepped back, looking satisfied.
“How does that feel?” the seamstress asked, pulling Azalea from her thoughts.
“It’s perfect, thank you,” Azalea replied, but her mind was elsewhere. She had to find a way to navigate the labyrinth of alliances and threats that surrounded her.
As she prepared for the day ahead, she couldn’t shake the feeling that the storm was only just beginning.
—
Moments later, Leandro and Thomas returned to their quarters, their discussion from earlier still fresh in their minds. “Did you see how eager Bennett was?” Leandro said, pacing the room. “He’s dangerous, but we might have to work with him.”
“Yeah, but can we trust him?” Thomas countered, leaning against the wall with an air of uncertainty. “This could backfire on us.”
“It’s a risk we have to take,” Leandro insisted. “We can’t let Federico keep ruling without consequence.”
“But what if he finds out we’re involved with Bennett?” Thomas replied, his voice laced with concern. “He’ll never let us live it down.”
“We can’t worry about that now,” Leandro said firmly. “We need to act before it’s too late.”
—
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, Ophelia and Mack arrived back at their clan’s territory. The atmosphere felt different, tension crackling in the air.
Ophelia broke the silence, “I can’t shake the feeling that something is off with Azalea. I wonder if she’s okay.”
“Do you think she’s in trouble?” Mack asked, finally showing some interest.
“Maybe. I just wish she would open up to us. I can’t stand the thought of her suffering alone,” Ophelia replied, her voice thick with concern.
Mack sighed. “We can’t force her to talk. She’ll come to us when she’s ready.”
“Or she won’t,” Ophelia muttered, frustration seeping into her words. “I just hope it’s not too late when she decides to.”