Chapter 65

MAGNOLIA'S KNEES GAVE IN AND SHE FELL TO THE COBBLED FLOOR.

'Bastards.'

She gritted her teeth. It was evident that someone was staying there until a little while ago. Even the fire was still blazing.

'How did they send a message so fast?'

Magnolia slammed her fists against the stones while a few tears escaped through her lashes and fell on her clenched fingers.

"Did I just make things worse?"

It was obvious that she had, but neither Killian nor Laya had the heart to confirm.

"Come on, you should go back home, dear." Killian pulled her to her feet, she could barely stand.

The three of them rode to the castle in silence. It was afternoon already and the day grew even colder.

When they reached the front entrance, Magnolia's eyes fell on a very agitated duke, he was pacing back and forth. As soon as he saw them, he mounted his horse.

"Come with me," Daniel ordered with a low voice. "All three of you," he added.

They rode to the castle and followed him to his office, where Henry was checking some documents.

"Daniel–" Magnolia uttered.

"What the hell were you thinking?" the duke roared, making her flinch. "Do you have any idea what you have done?" He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Do you not trust me at all?"

"That was not the issue." Magnolia shook her head. "I needed to do something."

"We were already doing something." Daniel sighed. "We had discovered where they were, but suddenly they fled the house and we lost them again." Magnolia's eyes were as wide as saucers.

Killian squeezed his eyes shut at the revelation. This was the worst situation ever. They had basically ruined any chance they had to get Geoffrey before the meeting. There was no way the barons would make the same mistake again.

"And you." Daniel turned toward Laya. "I told you to keep her from doing anything foolish, this was definitely something foolish."

"I–I am sorry, Daniel," Magnolia uttered with a choked voice. "Can you fix the damage I have caused?" He stared at her for a moment, she looked in agony.

"I will do my best to bring our son home," Daniel told her.

"It seems that I am not really needed, I will take my–" Killian started.

"I want my brother to stay with us until Geoffrey comes back." Magnolia looked straight into Daniel's eyes.

"I do not think–" Killian started.

"That can be arranged," Daniel was the one to interrupt him this time. "Henry, please make sure Jasper prepares a room for our guest."

"Right away, Your Grace." Henry left immediately.

"Thank you," Magnolia said. "I need to rest for a bit, so I will be in my room." Her body felt so heavy, she could barely walk.

"Let me escort you, Sister." She could only nod at her brother.

Daniel was silent for a long time after they left his office.

"Can you share the details of what the hell happened earlier?" he finally enquired.

Laya reported everything they had told her.

"That bastard Saknas is involved," Daniel commented. "That means the queen is as well."

"What are you going to do?" Laya asked with a concerned voice.

She knew her friend was stubborn and his values as the Duke of Salicera were unshakable. But if he did not comply with the barons' request, they would definitely hurt little Geoffrey.

"I have given orders to search every house in Bergen. No one is allowed to enter or leave the town. We will find them."

"Daniel, it will take at least a few days to go through every house, Bergen is not that small of a town," Laya told him. "You do not have that much time."

"Then let us pray to the Gods that my knights find them before the meeting," he said with clenched fists.

He knew the consequences of his decision were great, but he was confident that he could bring Geoffrey home and at the same time crush the Barons Faction.

"Are you going to report to His Majesty about the queen's involvement?" Laya asked, sensing Daniel's state.

"I need more concrete evidence, she could just deny it and say that her nephew was working alone." He shrugged. "She is the type to throw her own blood to the wolves to save herself."

"Something is bothering me about the incident today," Laya confessed. "There is no way Pruice could have sent a messenger to his accomplices that fast."

"Are you thinking they used magic?" Daniel raised a brow.

"I think they used a mage."

"A mage? That requires a permit from the Tower of Gods."

"Exactly, I had to get one to visit you," Laya confirmed. "So, either the mage lied to the Tower–"

"Or they know exactly what the mage is up to," Daniel continued. "If they do though…"

Daniel squeezed his eyes shut as many thoughts twirled in his mind, thoughts he had been pushing aside even when everyone tried to warn him.

"You should focus on Geoffrey right now, we can investigate this after your son is home." Daniel nodded at her silently.

'Laya is right, I need to find Geoffrey first. But if he is actually involved in this, I will never forgive him.' Daniel pushed to his feet.

"I am going to check on Magnolia," he uttered before he headed to their bedroom.

Daniel found his wife curled up in bed, crying.

"My love," he called and rushed to her.

She extended her arm toward him and he took it. He lay down next to her and pulled her against his chest.

"I am sorry, I ruined everything," Magnolia said with a hoarse voice. Her whole body was shaking.

"My love, you can't do this to yourself." He squeezed her. "We will find Geoffrey and bring him home."

"What if they hurt him because of what I have done? Please, Dan, please do as they say. Geoffrey is more important than that bill." Magnolia looked up at him with her red rimmed eyes.

"Of course he is. I will take care of it, love." He caressed her face and wiped the wetness on her cheeks. "You need to rest, why don't you try to close your eyes for a bit?" Magnolia complied.

She fell asleep in his arms after a few minutes.

'They will all pay for this. As soon as I get Geoffrey back, I will rip them all to shreds.'