Chapter 69- Freedom

Arabella Toussaint:

They all were looking at me as if I had dragged mud into the room. Amy cleared her throat and signaled a nearby maid, who held Zara and walked out.

Aliya got up from her seat and turned towards the door. The man who was holding my hand only a second ago vanished. His smile disappeared.

"Come back!" His voice turned cold enough to freeze the room.

Aliya stopped but didn’t turn around to face us.

"I said..." He spoke slowly, each word sharper than the last, "come back right this minute."

The room fell silent. When she, at last, turned around, I saw disbelief and hurt on her face. For a while she didn’t move from her place.

"Brother..." She whispered, her one hand pressed against her chest, "You never talked to me like this."

Lucien didn’t answer, "I know. Come back to the table."

She still didn’t move and stood there like a stubborn Lycan, "You’re doing it because of her? Is she more important to you?"

Nobody spoke, and I found it quite dramatic when the Queen dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief.

"You don’t need to leave the table, Aliya," Lucien didn’t soften and kept his tone firm, "It’s against manners."

The Queen decided to get to her feet, "And it’s against manners to bring a slave to the Royal table, Lucien."

My stomach twisted. This morning, I was so happy and now... this.

"Mother..." He hissed, "Stop calling her a fucking slave. I’m not humiliating anyone. It’s you who can’t keep it shut."

I wanted to run from here. Why did Lucien bring me to a room that belonged to his family?

"Look at your sister, Lucien!" The Queen let out a bitter laugh, "You made her cry. How many times are you going to choose her over your family? Mark my words. One day she will..."

"Enough!" Lucien roared, "Fine! If you aren’t ready to give her some basic respect, then please leave. All of you!"

I wanted to tell him quietly that it was okay. He didn’t need to go against his family because of me. Nobody had ever stood up for me, and I didn’t want anyone to do it now.

He might be a king, but I was about to leave him behind. Soon!

I slowly took a step back, "I’ll... I’ll leave."

Before I could turn around, warm fingers closed around my hand, "Stay..." his voice suddenly turned gentle, then he looked at me, "Don’t go."

Every instinct was telling me to run because I didn’t belong here.

His family left the hall one by one until we were alone with Omegas standing around the huge dining table.

"Come on," He pulled a chair for me with a smile, "You must be hungry."

My heart was still beating wildly inside my chest. He not only took a stand for me but asked his family members to leave.

He didn’t choose them. He chose me.

Me!

***

"You’ll go to the Southern Gate first," Jasmine told me as we walked through the flower garden, pretending we were just out for an evening stroll. I even plucked a flower and sniffed it, showing it to her as though asking about it.

She took it from me and observed it for a moment, "A friend of mine will create a distraction. While the guards are busy, you’ll slip past the gate."

I stared at her. "Just like that?" It sounded too easy.

"Just like that!" She repeated after a shrug and handed back the flower.

"What if they recognize me? Or try to stop me?" I asked her in a whisper.

"They won’t," She brushed a leaf off a rose bush as we walked past it, "You’ll be wearing a hoodie. Keep your head down. Don’t stop. Don’t talk. Just keep walking."

My heart was beating so hard that I was sure Jasmine could hear it. I also needed to discuss my mate mark with her.

For a few days, I could apply some herb to suppress my scent. But the moment I would set foot outside the palace gates, Lucien would be notified through the bond.

"After getting out, you’ll keep walking for a few kilometers," She pointed towards another plant and went towards it, "You’ll find a black Sedan parked near the old oak tree."

She started showing me its branches, and I had to hold back my laughter. We were acting as if we were Botany students.

"The driver will take you to the human city gate. After that you’re on your own."

I bit my lip, "On my own?"

She nodded with a smile, letting the branch go, "You’re smart, Arabella. You’ll figure something out."

I looked down at my hands. I hadn’t been outside since the day I was born. I didn’t know where I would start my search for Maya. What if there were too many Angelas in the vicinity?

Jasmine glanced around to make sure nobody was close enough. Especially my bodyguard.

"Next time, meet me in the warriors’ bathroom," she whispered.

I blinked, "Bathroom?"

"Of course. The moment you disappear, Lucien will question everyone who has been around you. I don’t want to get dragged into it."

That made sense.

"During training, warriors use bathrooms near the training grounds all the time. The ones in the warriors’ building will be empty."

I turned and started walking towards the spot where my bodyguard was waiting.

"Lady Arabella."

I stopped and turned around. She was jogging toward me, holding a red rose, "The next time we meet... don’t drink water or any liquid for at least two hours beforehand."

"Why?" I asked her in confusion.

A small smile appeared on her face, "Don’t you want the mate mark to be removed?" My mind went blank, and I stared at her, unable to say a word, "I’ll bring a potion to help you with it."

Last night, I had stayed awake, thinking how I was ever going to get rid of that mark. Somehow Jasmine already had an answer.

Maybe... just maybe... freedom wasn’t as far as I had thought. Every obstacle standing between me and my freedom was beginning to disappear.