SECRET OF THE AMULET

CHAPTER 17

Bridgette woke up with a headache, and she immediately massaged her temple while trying to get up. She barely had enough sleep because of what happened during the night, and her eyes immediately widened at the realization that something had happened to the Duke of Hartwell.

            After tying her hair into a messy bun, Bridgette sprinted towards the door and headed to his chamber. She was in a hurry that she almost failed to greet the man who stood outside her door. “Father, I mean, Uncle, what are you doing here?”    

            “Did you have a good night sleep, dear?” He asked.

            “No, I wasn’t able to sleep well because of Lord Blackwood. How is he doing, Uncle? Did you check on him as soon as you wake up?”

            “He already left,” Thomas replied, and they pretended not to notice the sadness in the woman’s eyes. “Are you sad that he left without saying goodbye?” He decided to tease her to lighten up the mood because it was gloomy, and he didn’t want her to be sad.

            “Why should I be sad? I am starving now. Have you eaten your breakfast already?”

            “No. I decided that we should eat together just like we used to,” he told her, and when the woman tried to fake a smile, images of her mother flashed into his memory. “You’re as pretty as your mother,” he mumbled.

            “I already know that Uncle, but I wish there’s a portrait, even a single one, that could prove your claim.”

            “You will see her portrait soon,” he said.

            “Hopefully,” she replied with so much longing in her heart. The woman who gave birth to her died when she was barely a teenager, and regardless if they spent some time together, memories about her began to fade, and she had a hard time remembering her face as time passed by.

            “You said you were not affected when he left without saying a word, but why do you look so sad, dear?”

            “I just remembered the times when she was alive, and I wished I could hold her again. It has been a long time, Uncle, but I still miss her so much.” Her voice quivered as she tried to contain the tears in her eyes. “I used to dream about her, but lately, she hasn’t visited me even in my dreams. Oh God, I’m sorry,” she said as she wiped her eyes.

            “I’m sorry you have to go through this, dear. Soon, justice will be served, and those who were responsible for your mother’s death will pay with their lives,” he mentioned.

            “I wished it would happen sooner, but we don’t even know who they were,” she replied.

            “I can’t tell you about the details, but those people are currently living with the King,” he said.

            “We shouldn’t include that man in our conversation, Uncle, or I may lose my appetite. Come on, let’s break our fast now,” she said while dragging her Uncle’s hand towards the dining room.

            “Do you have some plans for the day?”

            “Nothing new. I am just going to take Silver for a ride,” she said, much to her Uncle’s disdain. He has always warned her about riding horses and how dangerous it could be, but it’s the only way she could clear her thoughts.

            When they entered the kitchen, the aroma of freshly baked loaves of bread assaulted her senses, and Bridgette became hungrier. Proper etiquette would require her to pray before eating her bread, but she was starving. When she glanced at her Uncle, the man just lifted an eyebrow towards her improper behaviour.

            “I haven’t eaten anything since last night,” she said. While it was confirmed that she attended the dinner, but she just pretended to touch her food. She was so excited to venture into the forest that she had no appetite for dinner.

            “Go on,” Thomas said and shoved another plate of bread into. “You need more of this,” he said.

            Bridgette smiled at him, but then she furrowed her brows while chewing the bread. She finished on loaf instantly, but she didn’t feel like she had eaten anything, and her eyes widened in fear.

            “What’s wrong?” Thomas noticed the woman’s expression changed, and he was immediately worried if she was sick or something.

            “I think I may have to eat a person to feel sated,” she murmured, and her Uncle almost fell on his chair. “It’s a jest,” she said, but then a commotion outside the dining room caused her to stand up to check.

            “Sit down. I’ll go and check it,” Thomas said and immediately sauntered towards the commotion. It’s still early in the morning, so he didn’t expect anything to happen in the household unless the Duke of Hartwell and his men decided to return.

            His stride was long and full of excitement, thinking that it was Zacharias Blackwood who decided to return and have breakfast before going home. In his mind, his dear Bridgette would be glad to see the Duke again….only to be surprised at the identity of his visitor.

            “Your Majesty,” Thomas bowed his head before his brother.