FIFTEEN!

LIAM

I stared at the picture in front of me for about ten minutes. The whole hall went quiet as everyone expected me to give a response to Adrian.

That's the kind of game he plays and everyone knows him for it. But right now this is not a game and if Father finds about this, all hell will break loose. I still haven't found out why he killed Layla's father in his chambers and blamed it on the rogues.

I heard he made another comment today about the rogues in public which will make it the second time in just a short period of time.

I glanced at Brianna, who was just trying to avoid all eye contact with me. How do I explain this to her, that her personal life will be in the public eye all because my brother has the need and desire to ruin me.

I took a deep breath and turned my attention to the picture in my hands. It was a picture of myself and Brianna in the waterfall, kissing, taken without our consent. I could still feel the eyes of everyone in the hall upon me, waiting for my reaction.

I took a deep breath and stood up, trying to compose myself. I couldn't let Adrian get to me, not now, not ever. I glanced at Brianna again, and our eyes met for a brief moment. I saw the concern in her eyes, and I knew I had to protect her from all of this.

"I think we've had enough discussion for today, don't you, Adrian?" I said, my voice firm and controlled.

Adrian smirked, but I could see the anger burning in his eyes. "Oh, no, brother. We're just getting started."

I felt a chill run down my spine. What did Adrian want from me? And why was he dragging Brianna into this?

"I think we should take this discussion elsewhere," I said, trying to defuse the situation.

Adrian laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "Oh, I think we should discuss this right here, in front of everyone. After all, they have a right to know the truth about you, don't they, Liam?"

My heart raced as I realized what Adrian was doing. He was trying to expose my secrets, to ruin my reputation in front of the entire hall.

I my throat and faced everyone, “there will be a quick recess,” I said and Adrian scoffed and walked away.

“Liam, what's going on?” I felt Margaret's hands on mine and I suddenly felt cold.

“You shouldn't be doing that in public,” I said to her and she smiled.

“Everyone knows that we are betrothed darling, it's not a secret anymore,” she said and Dylan groaned inside of me.

“How did they know?” I asked and she kept quiet. I scoffed, “if you want to be Luna,” I held her hand tightly, “you should learn to obey,”

“Liam, you are hurting me,” she whispered to me.

“Not enough,” I let her go and walked into my office with Mason and Ethan behind me.

I slammed the picture against my table and kicked my chair. How could I have been so careless?

“This is not good, Liam,” Ethan said and Mason scoffed.

“Not good? This is disastrous, Liam. If the King finds out about this…” he said but was cut off by Adrian as he walked into my office.

“It could lead to treason and him forfeiting his inheritance,” he smirked at me.

“This is payback for ruining your nose and you are trying to ruin my future,” I charged at him but Mason stopped me.

“Hey, I'm not the one making out with a girl that isn't my betrothed,” he said to me.

“What do you want, Adrian?” I asked him, it's better to get this over with.

“Wow, you have never asked me that question before,” he mocked.

“That's because you have never deserved it,” I said to him.

“I want hundred thousand gold,” he said and I gasped.

“You can't be serious?” I asked him.

“Serious as a pumpkin pie,” he said, laughing.

I looked at Mason and Ethan who were just as surprised as I am, “how do you expect me to get such an amount of gold?” I asked.

“You are resourceful,” he said.

“What do you want with two hundred thousand gold?” Ethan asked him.

*You might be higher in rank but I am higher in royalty, you should mind how you speak to me,” he said to Ethan.

Ethan folded his arms and laughed, Adrian turned his face into his wolf's in an instant and I knew a fight was about to begin.

“I will get it,” I said without thinking. Both Mason and Ethan stare at me in confusion.

“That's good news. I knew you would come to your senses,” he said.

“And the pictures?” I asked, feeling a lump in my throat.

“You will watch me delete them all from my laptop,” he said and walked towards the door.

“I knew I could always count on you,” he said and walked out.

There was a brief silence, “are you out of your mind?!”

“What were you thinking?” Both Mason and Ethan asked at the same time and I didn't like their tone.

“You should mind your tone,” I said to them and they nodded.

“I know what I am doing,” I said, “it's no big deal,”

“No big deal. Where are you going to get a hundred thousand gold?” Mason asked.

“I could ask around with my contact,” Ethan said and I smiled at him.

“Good man,”

“Don't enable him,” Mason hits his chest, “and can we also talk about this picture,” he took the picture of myself and Brianna from the table.

I took it from him and placed it in the hidden drawer in my table.

“You are not supposed to be seen with her, Liam,” Mason said.

“I didn't know she was here, I just went for a swim and we met,” I said, defensively.

“You gotta be kidding me,” Ethan said, laughing.

“I'm serious. She didn't even tell me she was a duchess,” I said, softly.

“Oh please don't tell me that's making you sad?” He asked me.

“And if it is?” I asked.

“Then you are an idiot and a pussy,” Mason said to me.

I scoffed and walked towards the door, “where are you going?” They both asked.

“Far away from you both,” I slammed the door against their faces.

I walked out of the hallway of my office and headed out of the building. I walked into the garden until I hit something soft.

“Oh my goodness,” I heard Brianna voice cry out, “watch where you are going,” she said, adjusting her dress.

“Do you speak to all the guys you know that way?” I asked her and she curtsey.

“My apologies, your royal highness,” I arched an eyebrow, wondering what she is doing.

“What are you doing?” I asked, laughing. I tried to help her up but she moved away and crossed her hands in front of her. Like a true duchess.

“I'm sorry I didn't tell you about my betrothal,” I said to her.

“It doesn't matter anymore, there is nothing between us,” she said and it felt like my heart was sliced into two.

“Don't say that, Brianna. What we have is deeper than anything I have ever felt and I know you feel it too,” I said to her.

“No, I don't. Whatever you are feeling it should all be for Lady Margaret,” she said and her eyes moved up.

I looked behind me to see my Father walking around away from the balcony. I smiled and turned but got the most painful slap on my face.

“How dare you,” she said, she was about to raise her hands again when I held her hands.

“It's complicated Brianna but I'm going to make you understand soon enough,” I said to her.

“I don't want to understand, I just want to be far away from you,” she said, trying to free her hands from my grip.

“My father was the one who asked me to reject you,” I said to her and sighed, “and honestly, I don't know why,”

I saw her eyes go from anger to the warmest eyes I have ever seen, “why will he do that?” She asked.

I shook my head, “I don't know why but I intend to find out,” I said.

“How will you do that, you are betrothed. About to be married, soon you will forget that I exist,” she cried out.

Somehow I knew there was no convincing her so I decided to change the topic, “why are you here, Brianna. I heard you had quite the impression on my father, “ I said.

“What's that supposed to mean?” She asked in anger.

“It means you are not all that good as you portray yourself to be,” I said and I could see my words hurt her.

“How could you say that, you are the one who lied to me,” she said.

“And you didn't lie to me? How come you couldn't tell me you are the duchess of Greenwich?” I asked.

“I don't need to tell you anything,” she said firmly with confidence.

“I guess we have our answer,” I said and walked away.