SECRET OF THE AMULET

CHAPTER 20

In the end, Bridgette Montgomery couldn’t go against the King’s order, and together with Thomas Montgomery, as well as the King and his men, they travelled back to the capital at a leisure pace. She was not happy about the sudden transfer of residence because deep in her heart, she was hopelessly waiting for the return of Zacharias Blackwood. Her eyes suddenly got more prominent when she recalled a tidbit of her conversation with Thomas Montgomery and immediately urged her horse to slow down.

“What is it, dear?”

“Uncle, I just remembered something that you said to me. Last night, I didn’t pay attention, but you mentioned that Lord Blackwood was engaged to the Princess. Are you saying that he’s engaged with my half-sister?”

“Yes,” Thomas replied with the truth.

“I see,” Bridgette said, and after that, she didn’t say anything at all. She remained silent as they travelled the remaining distance from Greenhill to the capital. Even when they arrived at the palace, she refused to speak another word, much to the chagrin of the man who suddenly wanted to become part of her life.

“We have arrived,” Thomas said, but when he glanced at his niece, he felt terrible for her. At the same time, he hoped that she would be able to adjust to her new surroundings. “Bridgette? Is something amiss?”

“Nothing, Uncle,” she sighed deeply while taking a mental note of the towering palace before her. It looked like a safe fortress, but it was never safe to be living inside the castle with several enemies eyeing to sit on the throne.

The fifteen narrow, square towers towered above everything below them, and they were joined by vast, thin walls of granite that tied them all together. Several grand windows were arranged in a primarily symmetrical style around the walls, as well as overhanging crenelations for archers and artillery positions. One of the most impressive features of the castle was its massive gate, which has gigantic metal doors, a draw bridge, and boiling oil pots, and it was the only entrance in, at least for those unfamiliar with the castle and its surroundings.

There were several huge residences spread beyond the castle walls, and, to the surprise of many, the wealthy were content to live outside the gates as well. This fortress has withstood the test of time, and it has done it well, but cracks were beginning to appear here and there.

“Finally, you managed to make a comeback. Isn’t that great, Princess?”

“Don’t make it sound like I wanted to be here,” she admitted the truth and slowed down her horse as they moved towards the massive gate with wooden doors.

“The way you talk to me right now is kind of interesting,” Arthur replied. “There’s no doubt that you are your mother’s daughter. You’re just as stubborn as she was back then,” he said while looking far away.

Bridgette clenched her fist while trying to control her temper because she didn’t want to compromise her uncle’s safety. In Greenhill, they agreed to be civil, provided that no harm would befall Thomas Montgomery. Aside from that, she demanded to be given the right and authority to marry anyone she loved, not through an arranged marriage. The King agreed, but as they entered the castle, she began to worry that he would suddenly take back his words.

“Until now, you can’t tell me the reason for my reinstatement as a princess,” Bridgette reminded him.

Arthur Montgomery narrowed his eyes towards the woman who seemed more competent than his other daughter. “It was a mistake to strip you of the title, dear.”

“And what about my mother?”

“Your mother is dead, so it’s better to focus on the present,” he suggested.

“She died because of you,” she told him, but before the King could respond or make a dispute about her claims, two women in their most delicate gowns have arrived. She was expected to make a curtsy upon meeting the Queen, but as she stared into the woman’s eyes, she recalled the events in the past and stared daggers at Queen Eleanor. When she glanced at the young woman beside the Queen, Bridgette raised an eyebrow.

“Show your respect to the Queen,” Arthur commanded.

“She might be the Queen of this country, but she would never have my respect,” she announced, much to the chagrin of everyone who heard her declaration.

“Bridgette!” Thomas shouted to reprimand his niece, but the woman dared to defy his order to respect the royal family as soon as they arrived.

Thomas warned her about the dangers in the palace, and she should always conduct in a proper etiquette to not offend anyone. However, seeing the Queen again caused her blood pressure to rise, and she felt the urge to run to her and quickly slit her throat.

“Welcome back to your home, Princess Bridgette,” Eleanor greeted the young woman.

“Am I welcome here, Your Majesty?” She asked.