Divorcing His Royal Highness (English-R18)

Chapter 7

TAYLOR

I heard a light knock on the door. With a sigh, I set my book down and moved to open it, revealing Vladimir standing there, immaculately groomed as always. If anything, the passing years had only enhanced his rugged handsomeness.

"Breakfast is ready," he announced, his voice a blend of formality and something else I couldn't quite place. "Our presence is expected at the table."

I couldn't help but feel a pang of annoyance at the situation. We were confined to this luxurious suite, sharing not only a bathroom but now meals too. It was as if the universe were conspiring to test the limits of my patience.

"Thank you for the invitation," I replied, my tone polite but laced with an undercurrent of sarcasm. "I'll be there shortly."

Vladimir raised an eyebrow, clearly detecting the sarcasm in my voice. For a moment, his expression shifted, his eyes holding a glint of amusement. "Very well," he said, his lips curling into a half-smile. "I'll be waiting."

As he walked away, I couldn't help but marvel at how effortlessly he seemed to navigate this complex dance between us. He had always possessed a certain charm, a charisma that made it difficult to stay mad at him for long. But I was determined not to let his charm sway me.

With a sigh, I turned away from the door and returned to my book, trying to push aside the frustrating thoughts that threatened to consume me. I was here for answers, not to engage in a battle of wills with Vladimir.

However, when I finally made my way to the dining area, the tension in the room was palpable. Vladimir was already seated at the head of the table, his expression composed and regal. He acknowledged my presence with a nod, but the atmosphere was anything but relaxed.

The table was laden with an array of dishes, each one meticulously prepared. It was a stark contrast to the simple meals I had grown accustomed to during my years away from this castle.

I took a seat, careful to maintain a polite distance from Vladimir. The servants moved about quietly, serving us with a level of formality that bordered on stiffness.

The meal proceeded in near silence. Vladimir made an effort to engage in conversation, asking about my journey and expressing a vague interest in my life beyond the castle walls. But I could sense that his questions were loaded, that there was more beneath the surface.

"What were you up to when you were gone, Taylor?" he inquired.

"I've been managing my shop," I replied, keeping my answers brief and devoid of emotion. "It's been a source of solace."

Vladimir's gaze lingered on me, his eyes searching for something I wasn't willing to reveal. "I'm glad to hear that you found peace while you're away," he said, his tone carefully neutral, but at the same time, I could hear a slight hint of sarcasm.

As the meal continued, the tension in the room seemed to escalate. It was as if we were engaged in a silent battle, each of us vying for control over the situation. It was a battle of wills, and I was determined not to let Vladimir gain the upper hand.

But despite my best efforts, I couldn't deny the lingering attraction that simmered beneath the surface. It was a dangerous dance, one that threatened to pull me back into the web of emotions I had spent years trying to escape.

After breakfast, we retreated to our respective corners of the suite. I decided to make use of the adjoining sitting room, settling into a plush armchair with a book in hand. It was a feeble attempt to distract myself from the tumultuous emotions that churned within me.

Hours passed in solitude, the weight of our situation pressing down on me. I couldn't escape the reality of our shared confinement, the constant proximity to Vladimir that left me feeling both vulnerable and infuriated.

During the long hours of solitude in my room, I'd become quite good at keeping myself entertained. Books had become my loyal companions, offering an escape from the suffocating silence that hung over the castle. The golden sunlight filtered lazily through the heavy curtains, casting a warm glow across the room as I turned the pages of another novel. But as the day wore on, a creeping sense of boredom began to take hold.

I sighed, marking my place in the book and setting it aside. This wasn't the first time I'd felt this way. In fact, when I first arrived at the castle, locking myself in my room was a common occurrence. The world of literature had been my refuge back then. But as time passed, a restlessness began to gnaw at me, urging me to venture beyond the confines of my chamber.

With newfound determination, I pushed myself up from the chair and stretched. It was time to explore the castle once more. Who knew what changes might have occurred during my absence, or what hidden treasures I might stumble upon?

As I made my way down the hallway, the coolness of the stone floor beneath my feet was a stark contrast to the warmth of the afternoon sun. The castle appeared quieter than I remembered, a stillness that had always made me feel like an outsider.

Lost in thought, I rounded a corner and collided with someone I hadn't anticipated encountering – Diane, Vladimir's long-time girlfriend. Her presence immediately sparked a surge of complex emotions within me.

Diane was an elegant woman, her grace and beauty undeniable. She had been a part of Vladimir's life long before our ill-fated betrothal. Theirs was a love that had endured, a connection that I had never truly understood.

Seeing her now, annoyance flickered in her eyes. It was clear that my unexpected return had disrupted her world. I couldn't blame her for feeling that way; after all, I was an unexpected intrusion into her life with Vladimir.

We regarded each other in silence for a moment, the weight of the unspoken tension hanging between us. I had no desire to provoke any conflicts, especially with someone who had been a part of Vladimir's life for so long.

"Good day, Lady Diane," I finally offered, keeping my tone polite and my emotions in check.

She responded with a curt nod, her gaze never leaving mine. "Lady Taylor," she replied without the proper acknowledgement, her voice laced with thinly veiled annoyance. I'm not really expecting much from her. Besides, my title was rightfully hers. So, I wouldn't be surprise if she's not comfortable addressing me with my title as the queen.

It was clear that my presence was an unwelcome surprise for her. I couldn't blame her for her reaction; I had never anticipated that Vladimir would bring me back to the castle when he already had Diane by his side. Their history was deeply intertwined, and I was acutely aware of my place in this complicated dynamic.

For a moment, I contemplated excusing myself and continuing my exploration of the castle. Yet, something compelled me to stay, to address the awkwardness that lingered in the air.

"Please, allow me to apologize for any inconvenience my return may have caused," I offered sincerely, my gaze softening. "I hadn't anticipated coming back here."

Diane's face stayed stern, but her eyes showed clear annoyance. "Then maybe you shouldn't have returned," she shot back, her tone dripping with hostility.

Her words hit me like a sudden storm. I knew she wasn't thrilled about my reappearance, but her outright opposition was surprising. I took a deep breath, reminding myself to keep my composure.

"I can imagine how challenging this must be for you," I replied, keeping my voice calm and understanding. "I never intended to disrupt your life with Vladimir. If I had a choice, I wouldn't have come back here."

Diane's irritation seemed to intensify, and she retorted sharply, "You did have a choice! You could have run away again, just like you did before."

I couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration. "Believe me," I said, my tone steady, "I tried—"

"Well, you could have tried harder. It's pretty obvious you wanted to return here to be with Vladimir," she added, raising a challenging eyebrow.

That was it. I had been trying my best to be nice and polite, especially because Vladimir was involved. But right now, Diane had gone too far. I wasn't going to let her disrespect me anymore.

I spoke up, my voice strong and determined. "Lady Diane," I said firmly, feeling like I was running out of patience, "I might have come back, but that doesn't mean you can treat me badly or make up stuff about me. I respect Vladimir, and I thought you'd do the same."

She looked surprised, maybe not expecting me to be so direct. "W-What did you just say? Do you even know who you're talking to?"

"Yes, I know exactly who you are, Lady Diane. But let me remind you, no matter what your relationship is with the King, I'm still the queen. And I expect you to treat me with respect," I told her, not backing down.

Her face turned sour, and it seemed like all the colour drained from her. She probably didn't think I'd stand up to her like this. Honestly, I wasn't sure where I found the courage to speak up, but I knew I had to.

Diane was furious. Her face turned bright red, and she practically spat out her words. "This is not the end of it! I'll make sure that Vladimir hears everything about this, and you'll be thrown away like the garbage you are!"

I knew this wouldn't end well. Diane was seething with anger, and I could see the rage in her eyes. She was determined to make my life miserable. But I wasn't about to back down.

I took a deep breath and tried to remain composed. "Lady Diane, I understand that you're upset, but there's no need for this hostility. We can find a way to coexist peacefully in this castle."

She scoffed, clearly not interested in a peaceful resolution. "Coexist? Do you really think I can coexist with you after what you did?"

I couldn't deny that our situation was complicated. Vladimir had brought me back to the castle, and it had clearly upset Diane. But I wasn't going to let her intimidate me.

"I didn't ask to come back here, Lady Diane," I replied, my voice steady. "I had my own life, and I didn't want to disrupt yours. But circumstances have brought me back, and I intend to make the best of it."

Diane's anger seemed to intensify. She clenched her fists, and her nostrils flared. "You think you can just waltz back in here and take my place? You're delusional."

I wasn't trying to take anyone's place. I just wanted to find my own path and make sense of the past. But Diane was too blinded by anger to see that.

"Lady Diane," I said, trying to reason with her, "I'm not here to take anything from you. I have no interest in competing with you. All I want is to find some answers and move forward."

She let out a bitter laugh. "Answers? Do you think you'll find answers here? This place is filled with secrets, and you'll never uncover them."

Her words sent a chill down my spine. I had suspected that there were secrets in this castle, but Diane's ominous warning made me even more curious. I couldn't let her deter me from my quest for answers.

"I'll take my chances," I replied, my determination unwavering. "I won't let anyone stop me from finding the truth."

Diane's expression hardened, and she took a step closer to me. "You have no idea what you're getting into, Lady Taylor. This castle has a way of consuming people. You'll see."

I didn't know what she meant by that, but I refused to be intimidated. I had already faced so much in my life, and I wasn't about to back down now.

"Thank you for your warning, Lady Diane," I said, my tone polite but firm. "But I'll make my own decisions, and I won't let fear dictate my actions."

With that, I turned and walked away, leaving Diane seething with anger. I knew this wouldn't be the end of our conflict, but I was determined to stand my ground and find the answers I sought, no matter the challenges that lay ahead.

*****************