Chapter 46

Natalie POV

The sun hung high in the sky, casting a golden glow over the vast expanse of our large X territory. It was a warm and pleasant day, with a gentle breeze rustling the leaves of the surrounding trees. Myself and the rest of the maids of the bustled about, our hands and feet moving in a coordinated dance as we diligently attended to various tasks.

Ava had organized a small party with some of her friends in her room the previous night, drinking themselves to stupor. I had the thankless task of cleaning up their mess the next morning, while she stepped out with them.

“Make sure it's as clean as it was before the party,” she had instructed me before leaving. “Everything must sparkle before I return,” she added, wielding an air of authority.

Damn it!

It just felt like I was being punished for another person's mistakes! Well, not that I had a choice.

I quickly got on with my job. Luckily, I had the strength to undertake them, leaving me with the freedom to observe the diligent work of the other maids with a curious eye. Lucy had asked me to wait for her to be done with her task so we could leave for our quarters together. As I stood near the entrance of the chamber, I noticed Tristan approaching. He was clad in his customary leather armor, his sword strapped to his side - a reminder of the fierce warrior lurking beneath his alluring exterior.

I couldn't have been more upset seeing him. It did feel like the things he had done to me flashed before my face. He was walking towards my direction, so I turned to hurry out…

“Natalie, please wait….” That was Lucy.

“Hurry up, please,” I said to her, my words rushed. I just didn't want Tristan to get close enough to me; I didn't want him saying any word to me.

With a quick glance, I saw him discreetly slip a note into the hand of one of the swordsmen. He whispered some words into his ear and then he swiftly made his way through the chamber, maneuvering effortlessly amidst the maids. The swordsman deftly navigated the busy chamber until he finally reached me.

“He said I should give it to you,” he said, gently placing the note in my trembling hand.

“Who said?,” I asked, pretending not to know.

“Your sweet Tristan,” he whispered, smiling at me.

He must have thought I still considered it an honor having Tristan as my boyfriend. There is nothing sweet about his heart anymore.

Looking sternly at him, and sounding very dismissive, I said to the swordsman, “I refuse to lay claim to the lie you speak of. He is not my sweetheart, and he can never be.”

“I have done what was asked of me,” he just said, not giving in to my harsh words.

“Then you must take back his note to him, for I will not open my eyes to the words,” I said in defiance.

“You know where to find him, Miss,” he said and then walked away.

What guts!

I watched in awe as the dude vanished back into the bustling crowd, leaving me gasping for words.

Intrigued and somewhat apprehensive, I unfolded the note, my eyes quickly scanning the words penned in Tristan 's unmistakable handwriting.

“Hey,” he began…

“I know you're upset with me, and that your hatred for me now knows no bounds, but you should give me the chance of a fair hearing before casting the stone. If you consider my words worthy of a second thought, then you know where to find me,” he ended.

The contents of the note sent a tremor of uncertainty through my veins, uncertain of what awaited me behind the doors of Tristan 's room. Despite my apprehension, curiosity gnawed at me, compelling me to venture forward.

As I stood outside his room, my gaze fixed firmly on the door, I couldn't quell the anger that bubbled within me. My brows knitted together in a deep frown, my eyes flashing with an unwelcome tension. I held myself with a fierce determination, refusing to allow Tristan 's actions to dismiss my own self-worth.

Steeling myself, I pushed open the door, my movements abrupt and unyielding. I stepped into the room, my eyes instantly locking with Tristan 's. His expression mirrored a mixture of desperation and remorse, his usually composed features etched with worry. He gestured towards a plush armchair, inviting me to take a seat, but I remained standing in defiance. I might be just a maid, but I have earned the right to not bow to his whims.

"Why did you send it to me?," I asked him. My voice was laced with chilly undertones, my unwelcoming expression matching the frosty atmosphere between us.

"We need to talk," Tristan replied, his words tinged with a sense of urgency. His voice carried a weight that hinted at an unspoken truth.

"And what is there left to discuss?" My voice dripped with bitter accusation, my eyes narrowing in suspicion. "That you already have a mate? That you already had someone, yet you lied to me?!”

Tristan 's gaze softened, his eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and regret. "Natalie, I had no idea that Alexa was my mate, I swear. I only found out when it was already too late. You're the one I love and want to be with," he pleaded, his voice tinged with desperation. "Please, you must believe me. The connection between me and Alexa was forced upon us, we had no say in the matter."

As he spoke, my anger momentarily wavered, my eyes locked with his as I searched for the truth in his words. I hesitated, torn between the love I felt for Tristan and the betrayal I believed he had inflicted upon me.

"You're the one my heart craves for," Tristan 's voice wavered again, an unspoken ache hidden in his words.

“When Lord Damien speaks, no one stands in his way. It's over, Tristan. Go be with your betrothed.” Even though I sounded decisive, I wasn't sure I had said the right words.

"Oh, no, Natalie!,” he said, looking very sad. “You cannot give up on us. Maybe there's a way out," he added, a flicker of hope glimmering in his eyes.

My gaze softened slightly, my heart yearning for resolution. "What way?," I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, her eyes fixed on him for a glimmer of a future we might salvage.

“I don't know yet, but all I ask for is time, please.”

Maybe he needs to be told that time is a luxury whose bills I cannot pay.