Chapter 201: Kneel in front of the palace!

Marianne pov

"Roselia, I am taking you as my knight from here, but I am giving you off once we reach the marquees palace."

"Lina, you and Norma are enough. Both of you will come with me then you will change the shift after three days. So that all can have three days off"

"Yes, your highness" 

"Pack all the necessary things needed and take a carriage, I am going first with my brother." 

"Yes, your highness"

When i reached the parlour room there was a pin drop silence, oh lord! Don't tell me they were having an argument again.

Last time when Cassius had an argument with James, all of his clothes were shredded and there were multiple scratches on his skin, still he had not learnt his lesson!!

I increased my pace further as I walked in.

"Brother, i am ready for the trip." his eyes moved from Cassius to me as he nodded and stood up.

"It was nice meeting you, your highness, and take care kid"

Killian looked at me with the same sad eyes as if I was breaking all my promises and abandoning him, yet I steeled my heart and feigned ignorance.

"Marianne, take care of yourself" 

I nodded at him as he bid me goodbye, though I was hoping that they would stop me. Even this thought made me shocked and scared at the same time.

Had i invested more feelings than i ad thought! Was it not the palm since I started to leave this bondage behind and return to the place which I could call home.

"Mother, take care of yourself, and write a letter daily." said Killian coming towards me and hugging my waist.

My eyes met Cassius and he shook his head as he moved his hands on his cheeks. I looked above and blinked as I wiped the tears that had already wetted my cheeks.

I could let them see! James moved and patted my shoulders as if trying to pass the strength with the warmth of his hands.

Finally his soft hands left my waist and his snuggling head that was trying to seek more and more warmth separated from my body.

"You take care of yourself too, son '' I said as I ruffled his hair and looked into his red eyes, the one that was trying to look deeper than I had thought.

"Alright, you are just coming for a week, do not be that melodramatic or i would leave you right here" joked James with a laugh, but i could see he was serious.

Cassius moved and held Killian's shoulder indicating me to go, but I swear when he moved I thought that he would hug me too.

I still was a fool, there was no doubt in that! I nodded as I walked out, too afraid to turn back and looked at their leaving behind figures when James held my shoulders again and took me towards the carriage.

"If you didn't want to come, I would not force you." he said in a very serious voice that was filled with hope and disappointment at the same time.

I just shook my head, too afraid that my voice would sound broken.

'Collect your pathetic self Mari! You have to leave this place one day then why not practice now' i cursed myself hard as i looked out of the carriage, the garden, the entrance and the palace was left behind and now we were in the open area moving towards the palace i have left a long ago.

My mouth turned dry at the thought of living there again.

"Take it"

I looked back at his hands holding a glass vessel filled with juice and smiled. He really knew me the best.

"That dumb duke, he was looking upset too" he added bringing a smile on my face.

"This time your face was glowing there, Mari. You seemed to be carefree among them too." his words were somewhere torn between a question and a statement so i just listened silently.

"And that kid, what was the story behind him, are you taking him as yours?" 

"He is legally my son." 

"Ha! You must be joking Mari. I know that you care for a child but he is definitely not your child, and even if we are talking about emotional bonding, you both have a long way to go." he said mercilessly and I had no retort to it.

When had he tried to flatter me or other with his sweet words!

"How have you been?" 

"So you have finally remembered asking this, even if it is just to change the matter of discussion. Ha! Do not be like them Mari, you are not a diplomat" he criticised once again then looked out of the window.

"I am good. Your husband had made sure that i would not get a single leave in a year. But it did not matter now. I am here for a long period this time."

"I thought you are here for a month only."

He shook his head as he looked back towards me, straight into my eyes.

"I would not go this time, until I handle your messy life and put it back on track. So you are not leaving the palace until that trash husband of yours and that kid whom you are taking as your own child learn your importance in their life and kneel in front of my palace. Then I would test their love and if there would be a single doubt then I would throw them out of the palace without even batting an eye, so you better prepare your mind for that" he said, making my eyes widened. 

"And I have to look for a wife too, that can handle me and my work. I am fine with her living here in all the luxury or come to me on the border and live with me, but I just want that she would choose me willingly not because of the Essendson name or because of her family pressure."

[Don't stop voting and comments, i don't know why but these days there is heavy downfall in comments and voting. I hope you will leave a comment and i promise i will try to improve. PS unlock the chapter with coins if you can]