Divorcing His Royal Highness (English-R18)

Chapter 5

TAYLOR

Throughout the journey, Vladimir remained awfully silent, and he looked like he was thinking about stuff I didn't understand. We sat in the plane for a long time without saying much. It felt strange, like something important was happening, but I couldn't figure out what.

Finally, when the plane landed, Vladimir spoke up. He said, "We're here," like it was some big revelation.

I wanted to roll my eyes because it was obvious we were here. We'd been on that plane for hours. But I didn't want to be disrespectful, even if Vladimir was being annoying.

"Yeah," I replied, trying to be patient. "We've arrived," I added, trying not to show any hint of sarcasm.

Stepping off the plane, a familiar and comforting scent greeted me. It was the gentle fragrance of lavender and roses, like a soothing embrace from the past. It had been a whole year since I last set foot in this place, but the painful memories that had unfolded here felt as fresh and vivid as if they had happened just yesterday.

This was the castle, my castle, where I had spent years trapped in a heart-wrenching solitude. I couldn't help but wonder what had gone wrong, why I had been left alone and in pain. Doubts about myself, my worth as a woman, had crept into my mind since the night of our marriage when my husband decided to stay with his mistress rather than spending our wedding night with me.

As we crossed the threshold of the castle's gate, I noticed a sudden shift in the atmosphere. Horror and shock swept across the faces of those who caught sight of me. These were the same maids who had once mocked me, who had shown me no respect or kindness. Their reaction made it seem as though they had just seen a ghost.

Their wide-eyed expressions and hushed whispers as I passed by told me that my return was completely unexpected. It was as if they had thought they had seen the last of me, and my presence had shaken their understanding of what they believed to be true.

Despite their previous disregard, I couldn't help but feel a pang of empathy for these women. Perhaps they had also been trapped in this castle, their lives intertwined with mine in ways I hadn't fully understood.

As I made my way deeper into the castle, memories flooded back, each corridor and room echoing with the past. The grandeur and opulence of this place stood in stark contrast to the loneliness I had endured within its walls.

The grand hallways seemed to stretch endlessly, each step a reminder of the isolation I had experienced. My husband's absence had made this place feel even larger, each room echoing with silence.

But now, I was back, and something had shifted. The castle that had once been a symbol of my captivity now seemed to be holding its breath, as if waiting for something momentous to happen.

I was determined to confront my past to understand why I had been left alone for so long. The unanswered questions had gnawed at me, eroding my self-worth and filling my days with despair.

As I moved deeper into the heart of the castle, I couldn't ignore the curious glances from the staff. They were probably confused as I am.

I stood before the door, my hand reaching for the handle. This door held memories, a mix of the bitter and the sweet. It was a place where I had spent countless hours, often lost in my own thoughts. This room had seen my moments of vulnerability, where I had shed tears and pondered the mysteries of life. As I approached it, I assumed it would still be my place, just as it had been before.

But then, like a sudden thunderclap on a clear day, I heard his voice. A voice I knew all too well with its deep and resonant tones.

"That's not where you'll be staying, My Queen," he declared with authority.

I turned to face him, my brows furrowing in confusion. "And where, pray tell, do you intend for me to stay, Your Highness? The dungeon?" I asked, my voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and sarcasm. The frustration that had been building since my return bubbled to the surface, and I couldn't help but let it colour my words. I didn't mean to be rude, but Vladimir's enigmatic actions and his air of authority had been testing my patience.

As I spoke, I noticed Vladimir's attendants, his loyal aides, quickly avert their eyes, no doubt uncomfortable with my boldness in addressing their king so directly. Yet, I was beyond the point of complying without answers. My sudden return had raised too many questions, and it was high time Vladimir provided some clarity.

Vladimir, for his part, responded calmly, his gaze unwavering. "Certainly not the dungeon, My Queen," he replied with measured patience. "I've arranged for you to stay where a queen rightfully should be... right beside me."

His response was unexpected and seemed to carry a playful smirk. I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow in response.

"Beside you?" I repeated, my tone a mix of incredulity and curiosity. The situation had taken an unexpected turn, and I was struggling to make sense of it. It was a far cry from my initial assumption that I'd be relegated to some distant corner of the castle.

Vladimir's eyes met mine, and for a moment, I detected a glint of warmth hidden behind his typically composed demeanour. "Yes, Taylor," he confirmed, his voice tinged with a mixture of assurance and something else, something I couldn't quite decipher. "Beside me."

This unexpected revelation caught me off guard, leaving me both amazed and utterly puzzled. It was a complete shift from what I had encountered before, a twist in the story I hadn't seen coming.

A nervous chuckle escaped me as I grappled with the weight of his words. I couldn't quite determine if he was dead serious about this surprising proposition or if he was merely teasing me. I had learned not to leap to conclusions, not to take anything for granted when it came to Vladimir. After all, he had shown minimal interest in visiting me during our marriage, so the idea of a sudden change in his stance made me understandably cautious.

"I'm not entirely certain about your motives, but I must respectfully decline your offer, Your Highness," I stated firmly, my tone measured but resolute. "Sharing a room with you is not something I am inclined to do. After all, during our marriage, we didn't share a bed, so it seems rather unconventional to consider doing so now."

Vladimir regarded me with an inscrutable expression, his piercing blue eyes betraying no hint of his thoughts. I couldn't help but wonder what had prompted this unexpected proposal. Was it a genuine attempt to bridge the chasm that had existed between us, or did he have ulterior motives?

"You may find that circumstances have changed, Taylor," he replied cryptically, his voice a low, measured rumble. "And I assure you, my intentions are not what you might assume."

His response only served to deepen the enigma surrounding our reunion. I had thought I understood the complexities of our situation, but with each passing moment, it became increasingly apparent that there were layers to this story that remained hidden from me.

As we stood there, locked in a silent standoff, I couldn't help but reflect on the tumultuous journey that had brought me back to this place. The past year had been a blur of pain, uncertainty, and unanswered questions. I had believed that my marriage to Vladimir was a chapter firmly closed, a painful memory left behind. Yet, fate had other plans, and here I was, once again confronting the man who had been both the source of my deepest affection and my most profound heartache.

"Very well," I conceded, breaking the silence that had settled between us. "But let's be clear, Your Highness. If this arrangement is to proceed, it will be on my terms. If and only if..."

Vladimir inclined his head slightly, acknowledging my stipulation. "I'm willing to hear your terms, Taylor."

I inhaled deeply, and my determination resolute. "For the time being, I'll need a separate bedroom within the same suite," I stated firmly. "My privacy is important, and I assume you value yours as well. This arrangement will give me the space I need to consider whether I want to participate in whatever game you're playing. Secondly, I insist on unrestricted access to the estate's grounds. I won't tolerate being confined like a prisoner. Lastly, I demand transparency. No more secrets or cryptic explanations. If we're going to work together, I deserve the truth. Once I have the answers I seek, you'll have my response."

Vladimir regarded me thoughtfully, his gaze unwavering. "Your terms are reasonable, Taylor," he conceded. "Very well, we have an agreement. Give me a few hours to arrange your request. In the meantime, you can use the guest room so you can take some rest."

"I'm alright. I'll just wait here. I had enough rest on the plane on our way here," I decline.

With our terms set, I couldn't help but feel a sense of cautious optimism. Perhaps this unexpected reunion held the potential for resolution and understanding. But I knew better than to let my guard down completely. Vladimir was a man of many facets, and I had yet to uncover the full extent of his intentions.

As we moved through the grand mansion, I couldn't help but marvel at the opulence that surrounded me. This was a far cry from the modest apartment I had left behind in the city. It was a reminder that Vladimir occupied a world of privilege and power.

My separate bedroom within the suite was spacious and elegantly furnished, a testament to the luxury that defined this estate. It was a welcome contrast to the austere solitude of my previous life.

I never had the opportunity to explore this castle despite residing here for numerous years. People in this place restricted my movements as if they possessed a greater right to be here than I did. I wasn't even aware that there was a vast room situated at the heart of the grand castle.

Our chambers were divided by an adjoining door. Judging by its appearance, it might have once served as his office or library. They had to remove a couple of drawers to make space for my bed. Although we had separate beds, we still had to share the same toilet and bathroom. Nevertheless, this arrangement was far preferable to sharing a bed with him.

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