Chapter 81 - Give Up On My Life For Him

''We will meet again,'' The old man's distant voice rang inside the walls. 

But as soon as Esme heard it, she felt a jolt inside her body and a wave of dizziness shot into her. Her lashes fluttered and her grip on the edge of the well loosened and her elbow was harshly scratched against it as she fell forward. 

Esme was horrified in her heart but she could not move her limbs. 

All of a sudden, she felt a grip on her hand, and in the next she was pulled by a strong pair of arms, ''Esme,'' Aleister tucked her hair behind her ear as he cupped her face, ''Open your eyes.''

Esme slowly opened her eyes when she heard his voice. She blinked a few times before patting his arm, ''I am fine,'' She whispered noticing the concern in his eyes, ''I am alright,'' She repeated. 

.... 

The next morning, the corpse was taken from that place for further investigations. And by the time Adrian looked for Esme, he was informed that she has left with the Prince early in the morning. 

As a child, Esme's thoughts were deep for anyone to comprehend. Unless she spoke what was going on in her mind, one can not know what she was thinking. 

Now that she has grown up, she had masked her thoughts in a better way. 

And he could not tell what she was doing with that man. 

Did she really have affections for him?

Adrian frowned. That man was not someone he would want his sister to be with. 

And on further thought, if Esme was doing this, then she must have ulterior motives behind it.

After the way he talked to her yesterday, she might avoid him in the future. 

''Just a few more days, little one. After that, I will tell you the truth and take you back with me,'' Adrian mumbled to himself as he stood near the window. 

Back in the Castle, after they arrived, Aleister left to visit the King. 

Esme did not know what he would report to him on this matter.

''My Lady,'' A servant greeted and Esme turned to look at the door, ''Duchess Flora has been waiting for you in the garden.''

Esme nodded and she went to the garden, ''Aunt,'' She smiled at Duchess Flora. Despite the discomfort in her heart, she greeted the lady like she had wanted to be greeted by her.

Duchess Flora stood up when she saw her, ''Oh, my poor girl,'' She stroked Esme's face, ''You look thin and pale. Why did you go there?"

Esme's lips twitched. It has only been one day. How can she look thin in one day? But still, she smiled at her concern, ''I had to go there.'' 

Duchess Flora sighed, ''You young people can't stay apart for a moment,'' she whispered with a mischievous smile on her face. 

She misunderstood. Esme thought but her face flushed. If it was before, she would not have felt like this but after what Aleister told her yesterday and after everything he did, she did not know what to think about this anymore. 

She did not dwell on it. 

And Duchess Flora did not pursue it anymore thinking that the little lady was shy. 

''Where is Uncle?" Esme asked as she took a seat. Usually, Duke Maverick and Duchess Flora had their breakfast together.

''He has been resting,'' Duchess Flora's beautiful eyes had an unmistakable sadness in them as she lowered her head. 

After knowing everything from Aleister, Esme had thought that she would never do what Duke Maverick had done if she was in his place. Why would someone place themselves in danger to save someone else? 

Esme did not understand it. 

As long as she had a way, she would save anyone but not at the cost of her life. 

Looking at Duchess Flora's forlorn expressions, Esme's heart ached. She placed her palm on hers, not knowing what to say. 

Duchess flora grabbed her palm with both her hands, ''If a person goes against everything, sacrifices his everything for you and you have nothing for them in return... what would you do?" She asked.

I would stop them from doing that for me. She kept her thoughts to herself as she opened her mouth, ''If a person does so much for you, then all he asks for is you to be with them,'' Esme said, ''So, you should stay beside Uncle and he will be content.''

Duchess Flora was stunned, ''You...How do you know?''

''Al told me,'' Esme regretted the way his name slipped off her mouth. It was too late to take her words back. 

As expected, Duchess Flora's eyes widened, ''Does the Prince not minds when you address him like that?'' She asked. 

Esme was a bit embarrassed. It was all his fault that she got used to address him like this, ''No, he likes it,'' She smiled. 

To Duchess Flora, it looked like she was being shy again. Her eyes sparkled, ''I am getting a daughter,'' She kissed Esme's palm, ''I will tell elder brother to fix your marriage-''

''No,'' Esme interrupted her. 

''No? You don't want to marry him?" 

Esme turned her face to the side as she placed her other palm on her eyes, ''I... It's the Prince. He does not wants to marry me. I love him with all my heart~'' Her voice cracked as she spoke, ''But My Lord does not have any affections for me yet. If His Majesty makes him marry me, then he will loathe me for all my life. How can I survive after that...? I will jump into the sea and give up on my life...'' 

'BAM' 

A loud noise of something falling came from the back, interrupting Esme's words.

Both the ladies turned to the side but they could see nothing around except for a broken branch of the tree. 

''Guards, check the place,'' Duchess Flora said before she turned to look at Esme whose eyes were somewhat glazed.

Duchess Flora's eyes reddened, ''How can the Prince not love you? Are you certain about it?" Her eyes welled up with tears.

''Don't cry or I will also cry,'' Esme panicked in her heart. She did not know how to coax a crying lady. Did she go overboard?