Chapter 63: Bad Blood Brothers





It wasn't the way I imagined I would wake up after giving myself to the man I loved that night. I imagined waking up with arms wrapped around me, notwithstanding the heat given by the late morning sun; or even oversleeping only to open my eyes with silvery gray orbs staring back at mine. I imagined breakfast in bed, with hot coffee and bread waiting for me and a gentle kiss to start my day. I imagined lots of bright and beautiful ways of waking up in the morning except this way.



Placing back the letter to the drawer, I got up from the bed and dressed into something that would not hinder my next move. Cecilia would definitely not approve of what I chose to wear, or even at my very own life choices, but I didn't care. I had a bad feeling about the letter ever since we received it and letting Threy go to the Lake of Dreams alone was making me feel unease.



It was only a couple of hours past midnight; the wind was even colder than I remember reminding me of the biting chill of the night outside. I grabbed the thick, black cloak and wore it before rushing out of the room. Lord Boris and Cecilia, who were talking in hushed voices just by the hallway, looked surprise to see me rush through them. I was only halted in my steps when Lord Boris caught my arm and pulled me back.



"Where are you going?" he asked.



"I'm going to follow Threy to the Lake of Dreams," I answered pointedly. I gave them a look that forbids them from stopping me.



They seemed to be not shocked of what I've said. They must have already known about the letter from the West Castle.



"Give me a horse. No one needs to accompany me because I know my way around the Lake of Dreams," I commanded.



They both stared at me, worried. "But my lady, the Borgian king instructed firmly that you will be kept safe here in the castle. He said that he would deal this with his brother himself."



"Well, that's bullshit!" Lord Boris was stunned at my response. Even I was surprised at the anger and frustration I was feeling. "Lord Chester is not someone who would fight fairly. He's cunning and cruel. For all I know, he's only setting a trap for Threy and I need to stop him –"



"Give the lady the horse she needs." It was Cecilia's calm voice that stopped me from ranting.



"But –"



"Let her do what she intends to do. I don't think there will be anyone in this castle who can stop her. There's only a thin line between bravery and stupidity. And it is for her to decide whether the result of her action is because of her being brave, or for merely being a stupid person."



I was slightly offended by what Cecilia had said and somehow, it made me doubt of what I intended to do. But as my mind wandered on the possibility that Threy might be facing a possible trap, I gathered up my courage and faced the two of them. It was strange but I somehow had this feeling that I could stop Lord Chester on whatever deception he was planning to do.



"I had been careful with my actions all my life. I had been watched and judged ever since I was a child for being the only daughter of the ruler of the East Land. But we're all humans and we are bound to do a few brash, unwise decisions sometimes. And this time, I'd like to use that stupidity card and follow Threy to the Lake of Dreams. Whether it resulted into a mistake or not, he's worth the risk."



Lord Boris groaned and watched me carefully, assessing whether him allowing me to go would be a good decision.



"The Borgian king will probably kill me if I allow this. However, the way you glare at me makes me feel that my neck is currently on the line. So I guess, I have to save my precious life this time," he decided.



I sighed in relief and after assuring that a horse would be waiting for me outside the castle's entrance, Cecilia accompanied me through the silent hallways. She didn't say a word about my chosen outfit or even made a comment on the way I behaved in front of Lord Boris. But nevertheless, she had been supporting and criticizing me on the right situations. And all those times that I was under her care, I knew that she was a wise and sensible woman.



"You will be safe," she assured me as I placed a hand on the horse I would be riding, making sure that it would be comfortable with me. . I looked at her warily. I didn't know if I should believe her for I could still see the concern in her eyes.



"The Borgian king is not an idiot. He had prepared the whole thing about this meeting yesterday. He knew better than to fully trust his brother from the West Land. That's why I know that you'll be alright."



Apparently, it was Threy's whereabouts yesterday and I was a little bit disappointed to know that he didn't even tell me about it. I thought that we had already reached the level of relationship wherein he could share with me even the personal matters in his life. I clenched my fist, saddled the horse, and mounted it.



"Please know that I really appreciate you, Cecilia. Thank you for taking care of me," I expressed sincerely and galloped out of the castle grounds.



The dawn was viciously cold; it was cruel against my skin. But I knew my way around these woods for I had travelled to another castle using this path before. Aside from that, it seemed that the moon itself was supporting my intention for it was lighting my way around the woods.



The Lake of Dreams was located in the East Land. Just like the deeper part of the Eastern woods, it was also a subject of horror stories about ghosts and witches. However, fear was an emotion that was completely locked in the corner of my head at that time. I wasn't scared; I only had one goal and that was to get to Threy.



After almost an hour of riding the horse, I had finally reached the border to the Eastern woods. The thought of being already too late dreaded me thus; I took the path towards the deeper woods for a shortcut to the Lake of Dreams. It was rumored that the souls that weren't able to pass the portal in the Lake of Dreams haunted that part of the woods. Travelers purposefully avoided that path for tales of people taking it were not able to go back.



The surrounding became foggy and colder as I went deeper. It almost appeared like I had just entered another world or a forest in a different dimension. I could feel goose bumps all over my skin and even the horse was starting to get uncomfortable.



I grasped the rein firmly and pressed the horse to go faster. I focused on the path we were taking without glancing on the thick bushes and trees we passed. The deeper we get, the thicker the canopy becomes like profuse, dark clouds concealing us from the moonlight above. When I reached the point where I couldn't see anything anymore, I didn't slow down. I just trusted my instinct and continued riding on the path. After minutes of eerie darkness, I had finally found a clearing and a few more strolls and I could already see the Lake of Dreams. There was light near it and two shadows of men facing each other – sizing each other up.



I slowed the horse down as I made my way towards them. I glanced around the Lake of Dreams; taking in all the thick bushes and trunks and the shadows in it. I felt being watched and I knew by then that we weren't alone.



"Westons!" I called loudly to announce my presence and brought the horse to a complete stop when I got near them.



Threy's back was facing me and I watched him tensed when he heard my voice. Lord Chester's eyes shot up to my direction – surprise and relief were evident in his expression.



I dismounted the beast and walked to where Threy was standing; showing clearly whose side I was in. However, the Borgian King seemed to be not pleased with my intrusion as he remained still with a tight expression beside me.



"So, are you now using her as leverage against me? That's clever of you, Threy. Really clever." Lord Chester was full of mockery as he glared at us. Apparently, no one appreciated my presence.



I was about to defend Threy from his accusation and tell him that I would never allow anyone to use me like a tool but the Skull held my arm firmly and stopped me. "I always know that you're not going to face me alone, brother. You fear me. And I know how you deal with things that scare you: you make them play in a game you know you'll win," he said.



The young lord laughed manically. It rang across the silent lake and created echoes in the dark woods. We watched him silently and just when I thought he would continue doing it for a longer time, he suddenly stopped. His face was now void of any expression as he raised his arm and showed a firm open hand in the air.



"And you ruined the game by letting her join us," he said.



Dark shadows started to move behind the bushes and trees. However, instead of closing in on us, they moved farther. They were retreating. And that was when I realized that what Lord Chester did was a hand signal; probably giving them an order to abort whatever plan they were about to do.



I looked at Lord Chester, horrified. "I can't believe that you're going to go this low. You actually intend to hurt your brother!" I blurted out. It was clear that they didn't want me to have any part in this. But I just couldn't be silent.



"Oh, yes, Lady Primrose! I can go this low!" he shouted in response. "If this is the only way for you to come back to me then I'm willing to be this evil!"



He was full of rage and frustration. I was even stunned to see a glint of disappointment in his eyes. Lord Chester always portrayed a villainous character in front of me and I hated him for that. However, during the times that I was with him in the West Castle, he showed me a part of him I never knew he had. I didn't expect for him to stand up for me against Lord Magnus or even the promise to willingly change himself just so he could be a better man for his bride. I didn't even know that he would still want me back, when all this time I thought I was just a piece in their games.



"Lord Chester," I whispered. He was like a wounded animal that I felt the need to be cautious in dealing with his pain.



He strode towards us. He looked certainly pissed and I thought for a second that he would come at me. But he didn't; and instead, he grabbed Threy's collar and screamed angrily at his face.



"Why do you have to take her from me? Why do you have to bring her here?"



He was fuming but Threy didn't do anything to stop him. I gasped when Lord Chester suddenly threw a punch on the Skull's jaw and the latter just accepted it. When the cruel young lord aimed another blow, I decided to stop him and pull him away from the Skull. He went rigid when he felt me grabbing him and then he let Threy go. I felt relief when I was able to put a little distance between them. However, that relief vanished when Lord Chester turned to me and grabbed the back of my neck. Before I was able to do anything to stop him, he had already smashed his lips against my mouth.



His kiss was harsh and dominating – it was punishing. And before he was able to go further, he was yanked away from me forcefully and was flung violently to the ground. Threy's arm snaked around my waist and pulled me towards him. The Skull scowled at his brother who was just getting up to his feet.



"I understand your anger towards me, brother. And I expect you to know my resentment against your family as well. But if you touch her again, I'll cut your hands and make sure that you and your filthy bloodline regret it!"



Lord Chester didn't respond right away. He just stared at me; particularly on my neck that exposed when the wind swept my hair revealing evidences of the night Threy and I shared. I blushed profusely despite of the cold temperature in the Lake of Dreams. I felt the urge to hide my face but I fought it and remained on where I stood.



"So he got you already. He had finally stolen you from me." His words were laced of genuine hurt and bitterness.



"She's never yours to begin with, Chester." Threy was eyeing him skeptically; he was prepared if ever the young lord would make a pointless move again.



"But I was the one who liked her first. And I told you about it and yet, you still kissed her – stealing the first kiss I would have given to her."



"And I've given you plenty of time to do something about it when I sailed to the sea. But from what I've heard, you messed up. You ruined your only chance. And now, I'm not letting you near her again," Threy countered.



Being in the same location with them was one thing. But listening to them arguing about me was too much for a women's pride to handle. I thought they were just trying to ruin my days when we were young by teasing me. Surely, men had awfully, non-creative ways of showing their feelings.



"I should have known earlier that I had a fucking thief of a brother. What are you up to now? Are you going to steal everything from me?" Lord Chester spat. "You're better off in the sea; stealing and embracing your filthy pirate life – because that's what you're good at. You shouldn't have come back!"



I clenched my fist in anger. I couldn't continue listening on his insults anymore. "You know that it's not true. We are the ones who stole from him. Our bloodlines took everything away from him. We stole his life."



Lord Chester laughed bitterly. He was shaking his head as stared at us. "It seems that they've already poisoned your mind, Lady Primrose. Did they also make you forget that you're a Crimson?"



"They showed me the blood behind the name I have. They showed me how a particular hunger for power could lead into sacrificing many lives. Please, Lord Chester. I know you're not an evil man. We can still make everything right."



But my pleading only fueled his anger. He glowered at Threy and said, "Why the hell couldn't you just let the past go? The West Land provided you name and power so you could live comfortably. Weren't those things enough for you that you have to seek for more?"



"You're seeing things with closed eyes, brother. The power and name you're boasting are the things that blinded you. You only see you. You can't see the sufferings of your men. You don't see people driven out from this land for knowing the truth. Because the truth is what scares you; for it could take everything away from you."



"That's bullshit!"



Threy took a step forward and stared at his brother. He was calm but I could feel the storm he was caging in. "Now, go home and tell father that I'm going to strip his name and power off him," he commanded coldly. He didn't sound like the Threy Weston I knew while growing up, or the Skull I met in the pirate world. He sounded like a man filled of power and authority, and the threat he had given was a promise he would make. He sounded like the great Borgian king.



Lord Chester recoiled a little from where he was standing. He seemed to be affected by the powerful man facing him. I knew that he understood who Threy is and the situation we're in. At that time, he knew he would never win. His eyes averted Threy's cold silver orbs and sought mine.



"Come with me, Lady Primrose," he pleaded. "I can keep you safe. I don't really care about anyone or anything anymore. If you want to leave and escape from here then I'll take you. We don't have to fight this war."



There were only a few circumstances where Lord Chester shows his sincerity about things. And that moment was definitely one of those. He was showing me his intention and he was willing to do anything just so he could take care of me. It just saddened me that we had to get to this point before he showed this side of him.



"I can't," I mumbled. "I'm going to stay with Threy until this war ends."



"You can't stay with this man! He's too dangerous to be with!" He sounded frustrated this time.



"And don't you think I know that?" I retorted. It might have hurt him but I had to tell him the truth. "I love him, Lord Chester. That's why I'm not going anywhere without him."



I immediately felt bad about having to say those things in front of him. No, I didn't regret admitting how I really feel about Threy. It was the pain that crossed Lord Chester's expression that was giving me guilt.



"She's not coming back to you. You have to accept it, brother." It was Threy's words that finalized my decision.



Lord Chester stared at us, defeated. He knew that he wouldn't be able to convince me to go with him. Whatever hope he had in taking me back, it was now gone. With shoulders slumped down, he sighed deeply and said, "We will launch our attack after this day. The lands and its rulers are sending their troops to bring down the Borgian castle. This time, we will make sure to seal the history."



I gaped at him in utter shock. The Borgian castle expected the war to start at any moment but no one predicted that it would be too soon. The citizens who participated willingly were still being trained and Lord Boris and the captains were still polishing their tactics. And aside from that, he shouldn't be disclosing this thing on us. They were planning to attack the Borgian castle by surprise and Lord Chester just ruined it by informing us about it.



"You can't protect her, Threy!" It wasn't a question. It was a statement. It was a shadow of what was about to come. And what's coming was too big that Lord Chester believed that Threy wouldn't be able to protect me. I glanced at the man beside me and it was obvious that he was affected by the young lord's declaration.



"I am not asking to be protected," I blurted out. They glanced at me, both looking unconvinced. "I know I'm physically weak and I don't stand a chance against a well-built warrior who has the intention of killing me. But this is not about me. This is bigger than me – than us. That's why I'm not asking you to protect me."



"No!" they both opposed. I wanted to laugh at how ironic the situation was. Finally, they found an argument they can both agree. And it was against me.



"I can help with the injured soldiers, Threy. I can take care of them –" I started to argue but he just cut me with a wave of his hand. I understood that they just wanted me safe. But somehow, I felt humiliated and undermined. I bit my lower lip to control my tears of frustration and annoyance as I watched them conversed and made plans.



"Send her to the East Castle. Lady Adeline decided not to participate in the war. She had been worried and sick ever since you took Lady Primrose. Lord William brought her back to the East Land yesterday."



I just listened to them quietly. I was also worried about my mother's condition but at that time, I felt that I had no voice to speak about how I feel anymore. Being hindered from making my own decision was quite disappointing.



"And how could I trust that no one's going to attack the East Castle?" Threy asked skeptically.



Lord Chester looked at him straight in the eyes and answered, "I will make sure of it. I'll send out an order not to touch Lady Primrose Crimson. She will remain unscathed for as long as she's inside the East Castle. She doesn't need to participate in this war."



Threy nodded in agreement and after they had made plans to secure my safety, Lord Chester prepared to depart. "The greatest rulers will win this war," he said and walked towards his men who were waiting silently from a distance and left the vicinity of the Lake of Dreams.



Dark figures that were hidden in the bushes and murky water of the lake started to move and made their appearance by the torch light. They were pirates and soldiers of the Borgian castle waiting for orders if ever the meeting took an ugly turn which was supposed to if not for my intervention.



By the time Threy turned to address me, I was already hauling myself up to the horse seat. He looked confused at first but he caught himself up quickly and trotted towards me. He grabbed one of the ropes to prevent the horse from running.



"Where are you going?" he asked sternly.



"Why do you care? You don't seem to need me here. I don't think you'll need me in this war, either. After all, I'm just a weak woman that's only useful in your bed and insignificant in battles," I answered in tone full of bitterness.



Threy seemed to understand why I was acting that way. He surely had the capacity to lift my pride as a woman and stomp it down to the ground. His jaw tensed as he looked at me with eyes full of guilt.



"I apologize if you feel that way. That's not what I meant and hurting you is not my intention. I just want to keep you safe. Please, understand Primrose. You're my strength in this war and I don't think I'll be able to handle it if anything happens to you," he explained.



"But if I'm really your strength, aren't you supposed to need me in this war?" I asked, still feeling upset.



When he didn't answer, I took the reins and prepared the horse. "The Lake of Dreams is just near the East Castle. I'll stay there just like what you planned. Don't worry about me because I'll be completely safe," I muttered, giving emphasis to some words.



And with that, I kicked the horse and galloped away towards the East Castle where the sun welcomed me cheerily as it rose. I smiled sadly as I let it kissed my skin. Surely, the sun had the capacity to break two lovers apart when it shows up.