Chapter 68: Turmoil in her heart

Nina refused to eat and instructed the maids attending to her not to disturb her until morning. She wanted to be alone with her thoughts, but the memories she had been trying to suppress refused to leave her in peace.

She could still vividly remember the first time she had met Victor. She had been playing the piano when she opened her eyes and noticed him sitting alone in the vast hall, listening to her music.

While most students were too intimidated by the bodyguards stationed around her to approach her, Victor had somehow managed to enter the hall. He hadn’t tried to speak to her or gain her attention. Instead, he had simply sat there and listened, becoming her silent audience.

Back then, she had thought there was something genuine about him. She had never imagined that the man who had patiently listened to her music would one day betray her so cruelly.

Tears rolled down her cheeks as a few broken sobs escaped her lips. She drew her knees to her chest and buried her face against them, unable to hold back the pain any longer.

"Why did you betray me, Victor?" Nina whispered through her tears. "You made a complete fool of me. And I refused to trust Caroline. I feel so pathetic."

She cried for a long time before finally lying down on the bed, her head beginning to ache from all the crying.

The balcony door remained open, but she couldn’t bring herself to care. All she wanted was a few hours of uninterrupted sleep to calm her nerves and ease the turmoil in her heart.

Some time later, a figure approached the bed and gently pulled the duvet over her. It was Kyle, her loyal Beta. He adjusted the pillow beneath her head before making sure she was comfortably tucked in.

After taking one last look at her sleeping form, Kyle stepped out onto the balcony. He climbed over the railing and leaped down, leaving the palace grounds to return home.

~~~~~

"Why can’t you sleep?" Caroline asked.

"Because I slept during the day after Jereth gave me that drug," Andrew muttered.

"It was meant to ease your pain," Caroline reminded him.

"Let’s go out," Andrew suggested suddenly. He sat up and switched on the bedside lamp.

"Go where? You’re still recovering," Caroline protested.

"I told you I’m fine." Andrew glanced at her before throwing the covers aside and getting out of bed. "Everything feels calmer and more peaceful at night when everyone else is asleep. Since we’re in the capital, we might as well take the opportunity to explore a few places."

He walked over to the cupboard and opened it, searching for something comfortable to wear. After a moment, he pulled out a clean shirt and a pair of trousers before placing them on the bed.

"You should change too. Our honeymoon isn’t over yet," he declared with a grin.

Caroline stared at him, wondering how he could still be so determined to go out when he was supposed to be resting. However, Andrew seemed entirely convinced that his injury wasn’t serious enough to keep him indoors.

He opened the second cupboard and began looking through the clothes kept inside. His expression brightened when he spotted a few dresses that would fit Caroline.

"Good thing they have some clothes for you here." He pulled out a dress that fell below her knees, along with a matching jacket that would cover her arms. Holding it out to her, he added, "This should do."

Caroline accepted the outfit from him. "I’ll change into this."

She walked toward the changing room adjoining their bedchamber, carrying the dress and jacket with her. Meanwhile, Andrew wasted no time changing into his own clothes. He slipped into his trousers and shirt, buttoning the latter before checking that everything was in place.

Andrew was combing his hair when he heard Caroline’s footsteps approaching. He set the comb on the dressing table and turned to look at her.

Caroline stood beside him and let her hair fall loose over her shoulders before picking up a brush. She carefully worked through the strands, smoothing them out before setting the brush down.

"Don’t you need to apply lipstick or something?" Andrew asked, glancing at her reflection in the mirror.

"No. It’s nighttime, anyway," Caroline replied casually.

"Well, you look beautiful even without makeup." Andrew stepped closer and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Before she could respond, he leaned down and pressed a kiss to her lips.

Caroline felt butterflies flutter in her stomach. However, just as she began to enjoy the unexpected affection, Andrew pulled away, leaving her staring at him in surprise. ⅇ𝒃𝚗ℴ

"I’ll take you on a long drive," Andrew announced, taking Caroline’s hand and leading her out of the bedchamber.

They walked through the corridor and headed downstairs before making their way to the front porch. The moment they stepped outside, Andrew’s gaze swept over the cars parked in front of the estate. Several vehicles stood in a neat row.

A guard stationed near the entrance immediately approached them and bowed respectfully.

"I want to drive a car tonight. Do you have the keys?" Andrew asked.

"Yes, Your Highness. They’re kept inside the room." The guard hesitated before adding, "But isn’t Your Highness still injured?"

"I was," Andrew replied casually, as though his injury were already a thing of the past.

He then pointed toward a Porsche parked nearby. "Bring me the keys to that one."

"At once, Your Highness."

The guard bowed again and hurried inside to retrieve the keys, leaving Andrew and Caroline standing beside the car.

"Even the guard is worried about you," Caroline remarked.

"He’s afraid I’ll punish him if something happens to me," Andrew replied. He glanced at her before adding, "But I won’t."

Caroline gave him a knowing look, aware that his reputation was enough to make even the most experienced guards nervous around him.

The guard returned shortly afterward with the keys and respectfully handed them to the prince.

"Thank you," Andrew said, taking them.

He unlocked the Porsche before walking around to the passenger side. Opening the door for Caroline, he waited for her to settle into the seat comfortably. Once she was inside, he gently closed the door and made his way to the driver’s side.

A moment later, he slipped behind the wheel, ready to take his wife out for their late-night drive.