章節 20: Letters and Threats
She was shocked by Caden's revelation. She didn't expect him to be the head of the Forelli Clan. From what she remembered, he hated the Mafia Clan. What made him decide to join them, and worst, became the boss? She thought inwardly.
She stood up after treating the cut on his hands and took a towel and a robe. They moved to the bed and sat down to talk.
Matthew Forelli—the biological father of Margaret Hulls, Caden's mother. From what she heard, the guy was left with Princess Catherine, Caden's grandmother, and ran away with Benjamin Miller.
Margaret thought that her father was Benjamin Miller and that her mother died when she was born. She never knew Matthew Forelli, until Benjamin himself told her.
She went to Flousia to find out about her family and met him there for the first time. To make things complicated, Caden's father, Jayden Richards had a grudge against the Mafia Clan. His mother was murdered by none other than Matthew Forelli. That's what they thought. In the end, everything was just a game orchestrated by Benjamin Miller and they were the pawns and pieces of his game.
She waited for Caden to continue. She knew he was still hesitating, but then he took a deep breath and stared at her.
"Do you remember when we were kids? I promised that I will protect not only you, but also my family?" He asked.
She nodded. "Yes."
"I kept on telling you and Lucas that I will make the bad guys disappear. We accidentally found out about the things that happened to our parents, about my so-called grandfather, Benjamin Miller or Jonathan Trekker, or whoever he is. So I was mad and said the same thing all over. I remember you scolding me and Lucas would laugh about it. But in my heart, I really want them gone." He paused.
She was just listening to Caden and looking into his eyes. It was full of hatred and sadness at the same time.
"When I accepted to be the crown prince, it wasn't just because of what happened in the palace. But it was the breaking point. I realized I should have the power to do what I wanted. I accepted it because I wanted to be with you and I was happy when they decided about the engagement."
"But why did you let them separate us?" She asked.
It was on her mind for a long time now. If Caden really wanted them to be together, why didn't he say something? Why did he quickly agree with what everyone wanted? She had asked herself a few times.
"It wasn't easy. After the attack on the palace and days before our engagement, someone sent me a letter. I'm not sure who it was and until now, I haven't found who sent me that letter." He said.
"What letter?" She frowned.
Caden sighed. "The incident at the library. Someone saw it, Alira."
Her heart pounded. It was supposed to be a secret between her and Caden. What happened in the library was the one thing she had been trying to forget for years. It was the main reason, she was traumatized that day.
"I didn't want you to know or get scared because of it. The letter only says 'I know your little secret.' It was just that but I know it was a threat. So when mom said that we should live separately, I agreed. Because that was the only way I know for you to be safe. Away from Flousia, away from me."
"Did anything happen after I left?" She asked.
Caden nodded. "I received more letters and it was all about you. That's when I knew, the one who was sending me those creepy letters was obsessed with you. I never told my parents about it, but I told Lucas. That was the reason he was very protective of you. I felt like the danger never left your side. I wanted to come home to you, but what can I do? I was a child, Alira. I was just the crown prince who was hidden by everyone to be protected so Flousia would have a future."
Her heart continued to pound. She never knew that there was someone following her and making Caden suffer by sending letters.
"I chose to stay in Flousia and started my prince's lessons. I had to show my Uncle and the elders that I am the right person to be the next king. I did everything. It was hard at first. There were times that I wanted to give up and just go home. But what kept me going is you. Your messages, your emails, and your letters, all of them made me smile and my burning desire to protect everyone grows."
He brushed his hand on her face and started playing with her hair.
"Benjamin escaped three years ago and I was abducted inside the palace." He said.
Her eyes widened. "Inside?"
He nodded. "I was in my room, sleeping. It was midnight when someone broke in. I was tortured to death. They had no plans of keeping me alive, they wanted me dead."
She looked at the tattoos on his body and noticed the scars.
"But I thought after the attack, they doubled the security. As far as I know, Dad sent a few men to assist your uncle."
"Money can buy loyalty. We thought we're already giving them enough, but in the end it didn't satisfy their greed." Caden commented.
"Did they catch the men who betrayed the royal family?" She asked.
Caden nodded. She was relieved for a moment but her heart pounded when she saw the look in his eyes.
"Caden?" She whispered.
Caden's expression turned dark again. She gulped and suddenly felt scared of him.
"I caught them. And I—"
"Stop! Stop, please!" She exclaimed.
She knew exactly what Caden would say. It wasn't the first time it happened. Telling her about what he did would only bring the memory from twelve years ago.
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