Chapter 86: Grudge against Caroline

Ilias caught Andrew by the wrists and pushed his hands down before he could do anything reckless.

"Calm down, Andrew. I’m your elder brother, not the other way around."

He released him, creating some distance between them before walking to the other side of the gazebo. He seemed entirely unaffected by Andrew’s anger, as though he had expected this reaction.

"I told Caroline she shouldn’t have married you because her actions have brought trouble upon the entire royal family. And when the palace learns what has happened, they will hold her responsible for causing such a serious crisis."

Ilias glanced at his younger brother and noticed his fists tightening at his sides. However, the sight did little to unsettle him. He had said what he believed needed to be said, and he wasn’t about to take his words back simply because Andrew disliked hearing them.

"Go back to the palace, and don’t come here again," Andrew said coldly.

"Don’t you want to enter rogue territory and find Victor?" Ilias asked, remaining calm. "I’m offering to help you with that, not Caroline. No matter how much you dislike what’s happening, we’re still family."

"I’ll find a way myself," Andrew replied firmly.

He had no intention of relying on his family any longer. If they were going to use his marriage as a reason to pressure Caroline, he would rather face the situation alone than accept their help at the cost of his wife’s peace.

"You won’t be able to," Ilias stated firmly. "Besides, the decree has already been issued. At the very least, show some respect for our father. And whatever I told Caroline wasn’t a lie. You can ask her what she thinks of my words later."

Andrew’s expression hardened at the mention of Caroline, but instead of raising his voice again, he took a measured breath.

"She is already blaming herself for everything that has happened. Have you ever lost someone you loved so deeply that their absence left a wound you couldn’t heal? No one in our family has experienced that kind of loss. That’s why neither you nor anyone else in the royal family can truly understand what she is going through right now."

He paused, his jaw tightening as he recalled the guilt Caroline had been carrying.

"It’s easy to tell someone to what they have done, but saying it doesn’t make it any easier. Just because she is trying to live her life again doesn’t mean her old wounds have healed. She is still struggling with what happened to her, and instead of giving her time to recover, you’re making her feel as though she is responsible for every problem that has arisen."

Andrew’s words gave Ilias pause. For once, he seemed to consider his brother’s argument rather than immediately dismissing it. However, he offered no response.

"You can take any room in the mansion," Andrew continued, his voice turning cold again. "But don’t show yourself to Caroline."

With that warning, he turned and walked back into the house, leaving Ilias alone in the gazebo.

~~~~~

Caroline gently dabbed the towel against her damp face before finally sitting down on the bedroom chair.

Andrew’s words replayed in her mind, reminding her that she could not allow guilt and negative thoughts to overwhelm her.

She had spent enough time blaming herself, and although it was difficult to push those feelings aside, she was determined to regain her composure and focus on finding the truth.

After a few moments, she stood up and left the towel on the chair before heading toward the door. However, she had barely stepped outside when she walked straight into Andrew’s chest.

"Sorry," she apologized immediately, taking a small step back.

"Feeling better?" Andrew asked. He brushed a few loose strands of hair away from her cheek, studying her face as though checking whether she had stopped crying.

"Yes," Caroline replied, meeting his gaze. After a brief pause, she asked, "Is Emmett here?"

"Not yet," Andrew answered.

Just then, the sound of a car horn came from outside, drawing both their attention toward the entrance.

"I think he’s here," Caroline said.

They hurried downstairs, where she instinctively moved to stand beside Andrew.

Despite her determination to remain strong, nervousness crept back into her expression. She had tried to suppress her distress, but the thought of facing Emmett and learning what had happened to his family made it difficult to keep her emotions under control.

A moment later, Jeremy entered the house with Emmett following close behind. The moment Caroline saw him, her heart twisted painfully.

His eyes were red and swollen, revealing how much he had cried. The sight alone was enough to bring the guilt she had been trying to contain rushing back.

Jeremy stepped aside, giving Emmett room to approach them. Emmett stopped a short distance away and took a moment to compose himself before greeting Andrew and Caroline. Then he raised his head and looked directly at her.

Caroline struggled to find the right words. Her throat tightened, and her lips trembled as she tried to speak.

"How?" she finally managed to ask, her voice barely above a whisper.

Tears welled up in her eyes once more, threatening to spill over as she waited for his answer.

"I—I had gone to give an interview. When I returned, my father and sister..." Emmett’s voice broke before he could finish. Tears slipped down his cheeks, and he lowered his head, unable to hold them back any longer.

Caroline could no longer contain her own emotions. She began to weep, lowering her head as guilt overwhelmed her. Seeing Emmett in such pain only made her feel worse, knowing that his family had suffered because of the trouble surrounding her.

"Forgive me, Emmett. I—I shouldn’t have asked you to be my witness," she stammered. Tears blurred her vision, and she struggled to get the words out without breaking down completely.

Andrew’s heart ached as he watched his wife crumble before him. He wanted to comfort her, but he remained composed, allowing Emmett the space to speak rather than interrupting the conversation with his own emotions.

"Do you know who did this?" Andrew asked, his voice serious.

"No," Emmett replied, wiping his cheeks with the back of his hand. "But I believe it was someone who holds a grudge against Caroline. That’s why I came back. She needs to find the person responsible." His voice grew heavier as he struggled to contain his grief. "I left this country thinking I could finally be safe, but I ended up losing everyone I had left. Words and tears won’t ease the agony in my heart."

"Do you blame Caroline for what happened?" Ilias asked from behind them.