Broken Trust

Kirigan's POV

Anger still burned within me, but beneath it, a little fire of compassion began to awaken. 

I looked down at the woman, her tear-streaked face filled with regret, and I realized that she, too, was a victim of circumstance. 

She had acted out of a misguided desire to bring me relief, even if it had been through deceit.

She had also acted in that way because I had promised to protect her if she actually got me the cure I wanted.

Taking a deep breath, I decided to take a quick decision whether it was good or not. I didn't care what the outcome would be, I just wanted to do it and get her out of my life.

My voice softened slightly as I looked at her. "I trusted you Jane," I sighed. "I thought we had something special, I can't believe you're just like the rest if not worse. You led me on like I was nothing and now I can't even look at you."

"Kirigan…"

"Leave. Leave this palace and never return. You have betrayed my trust, and I can no longer have someone like you in my service."

"Please don't do this."

"I will tell no one of your story or identity. You are free to leave. From here on out, you fight your own battles while I fight mine with the pain within me. Now leave."

Her shoulders sagged as she nodded, her voice barely audible. "As you wish, Your Highness. I will leave immediately."

As she gathered her belongings and left the room, I was left alone with my thoughts. 

The anger that had consumed me began to give way to a sense of sadness. I realized that I, too, had played a part in this tragedy. I had allowed myself to be deceived, blinded by my desperation for a cure.

Guilt washed over me as I considered the consequences of my actions. 

I had been harsh, perhaps too harsh, in my judgment of the woman but she deserved it. 

She had looked at me and deemed me a fool for her attitude. 

I was not going to get her back. She deserved whatever she was getting.

While I stood at the balcony looking out at the people walking about the palace that evening, Gregory joined me.

"I noticed that the maid entered a chariot and was taken to wherever she needs to be taken."

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Care to share?"

"She lied to me, Gregory!" I growled. "She made a fool out of me. She told me she could find the cure but guess what, there is no cure. She told me to read books and practice more like I'm some sort of madman. Did she think I wouldn't notice? What stupidity is this?"

"Your Highness," he spoke with a hint of urgency, "I understand your anger, but please, hear me out."

I turned to face him, my eyes filled with sadness and anger. "What is it, General? What would you say now that would justify her deeds?"

He took a deep breath, his voice steady as he spoke, "Your Highness, I implore you to remember the trials and tribulations you and Jane have faced together. The bond you shared was not built on lies alone. There was genuine friendship and loyalty between you. I've seen it and I can tell you that it was there."

I scoffed. "Lies are all I see, general," I said in anger. 

He closed the distance between us as he whispered in my ear. "When she took that poison despite being capable of seeing, she did it not for herself but for you. She could see that her choice could destroy or uplift you. She sacrificed her life for you. 

"She knew she would die if she drank that poison but she did it anyway. Do you think Trina would have done the same? Do you think any other maid would have done the same? But Jane, a woman who you never knew until now did it for you."

That was when it hit me that maybe Gregory was right.

My mind flashed back to the countless moments we had shared, both joyous and sorrowful. 

The secrets whispered in the dead of night, the unwavering support she had provided during my darkest hours. General Gregory's words struck a chord within me, stirring a sense of regret.

A little piece of my heart was filled with doubt. Could it be that I had acted too hastily, driven by anger and the pain of betrayal? I wanted the truth, for closure. I owed it to myself and to her to seek answers, to understand the reasons behind her lies.

I needed to know why she would lie to me like that despite not being able to secure a cure for my ailment.

This was a crazy time to be having second thoughts but my mind was filled with it.

With a sigh, I turned to the man. "General, I need your help. We must find her. I need to understand why she lied to me."

The general nodded, his eyes filled with understanding. "I will do everything in my power to assist you, Your Highness. We will find her."

I nodded to him before getting into my room to prepare myself for the battle that would lay ahead.

Where she was going, I knew not, but I knew that people were always trying to kill her. I needed to prepare for the danger ahead.

I needed to find a way to save her from the dangers that lurked in the shadows.

While I looked out of the window to the skies becoming darker, a knock on my door told me that it was time to leave.

I opened it to see the general ready to go with me.

"It's just us," I said. "No one else is allowed to go with us."

"Where are you going?" Trina opened her bedroom door to fold her arms in my way.