Page 84 of A Tale of Treachery

“What plan, Aiden? Why collect them in the first place if you plan on freeing them?” I argued, not knowing what had gotten into him.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s under control. Stay quiet and do as you’re told,” Aiden whispered, his eyes scanning the length of my body. “Speaking of doing as you’re told, what are you wearing?”

“My clothing.”

“I’ll have the maids dig through your room tonight to ensure your old attire is properly destroyed. You will wear one of the dresses I bought for you to the celebration tonight.”

“The clothing you supplied me belongs in a brothel, and I hardly think there are any more consequences that you could have me suffer.”

“You’re right about the clothing. It does belong in a brothel—a high-class one, at that—but youwillwear it,” he commanded.

“Why are you acting like this, Aiden? Why are you treating me like this? This isn’t you,” I said, throwing my hands in the air.

Aiden huffed out a breath and pinched the bridge of his nose, as if he would rather be anywhere but here. “I don’t know. I’m angry with you—furious. I don’t want to be like this, but I feel so much betrayal, and I can’t help but take it out on you, even if I don’t want to.” He squeezed his eyes shut, and when he opened them again, the old him peeked through. “I’ve had a lot of time to think about things while I was gone, and I am sorry…but I need you to behave and trust in me. You need to play along with my requests for now and wear the clothing I gave you. At least for tonight, until everything is sorted out. Afterward, you won’t have to wear those clothes ever again. I promise.”

“Until what’s sorted out?” I asked. What was he talking about, and why was he being so elusive?

Aiden grabbed my elbow and led me toward an alcove that overlooked the stairs, speaking quietly. “Do you trust me?”

I sighed. “I don’t know anymore.”

He pulled me close to whisper in my ear, “Youcantrust me. I told you that I had a plan to make this all go away, and I do. The collections. Your position here as a mistress. My father’s rule. But for now, I need you to play your part. Everything must go according to plan, and you need to follow that plan.”

I scrunched my eyebrows, scanning his face for sincerity. He was being honest…he did have a plan.

“I’ll tell you in due time, I promise,” Aiden vowed. “Not a hair on those prisoners’ heads will be touched.”

“Why can’t you tell me now? How can I trust a single thing you say?”

He winced, his eyes filling with regret. “I’m going to pardon them. I can’t give you much detail past that, but I promise it will all work out.” He chewed on his lips, his gaze glazing over as he met my eyes. “I’m truly sorry for everything I’ve put you through these past few weeks. I had to distract my father so he wouldn’t look too closely at what else I’ve been up to, but it’s coming to an end. Tonight.”

My shoulders dropped, and my mouth gaped open. I had an idea of what he was up to. It was obvious by the number of prisoners in the collection.

If he were able to find a way around his father, he could pardon the prisoners and gain major points from the people of the kingdom—the subjects who were sick and tired of the king’s rule.

He could gain enough support to take power.

Aiden pressed his forehead to mine and spoke in a low voice, “By this time tomorrow, everything will be different. This whole farce will be over…but I needed this to be believable. I’m sorry for everything I’ve done, and if I’ve hurt you in the process by giving you such a scandalous title. But you won’t have to deal with all of this for much longer. I promise that I will fix everything.”

My pulse raced with excitement at the knowledge that tomorrow, I would no longer be beholden to live at court. I could go back to my life in the sanctum, back to my studies and my freedom. Aiden hadn’t said those exact words, but he wouldn’t mislead me into thinking that everything would be better if it wouldn’t. At least, I hoped not. I nodded hesitantly. “I’ll wear the dress, and I’ll play the part. But only for tonight.”

“Good,” he said with a smile. “Tomorrow, you’ll wake up, and everything will change for the better.”

I returned his smile, believing in him, although a little hesitant to trust him completely. “I’m going to help Redmond attend to the injured.”

I curtsied as we said our goodbyes, just in case anyone was watching. But my mind was on whoever was in those cages. They must be terrified, thinking that they were facing their deaths. Little did they know they’d only been brought here to be pardoned forever.

A life of freedom awaited them.

I ran, speeding down the staircase toward Redmond, who was busy patching up a soldier’s knee. “I’m here to help,” I gasped, slightly out of breath. “What can I do?”

He finished wrapping the patient’s knee, then waved the man off so we could speak in private. “How bad was it?” he asked, clearly referring to Aiden’s private talk with me.

“It wasn’t bad—it was good, actually. Aiden plans to pardon the prisoners. Do you need help?”

Redmond breathed a sigh of relief. “I can manage. Go check the cages and make sure they don’t contain anybody you know.”

“Thank you,” I whispered.

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