- It's from Alec! - she fired with her desperate voice.
- What'd you say? - I asked myself, turning to her.
- That night, when you didn't show up, I went looking for him. I found him in the library, lying on the floor and... - she took a break. - I confess I tried to take advantage, but Alec showed up with Bruce. Alec sent Bruce to get him out of there and he gave me a lecture. We ended up sleeping together after that.
Rose rolled her eyes with grief. Going down the stairs, I moved on to Rose.
- You're a fucking, manipulative, whore! - said by grabbing his throat. - I want her out of the village! Do you understand? Not outside the castle, but outside the village indefinitely.
- You can't do that! - she fired with despair. - Where will I go?
- It's not my problem! - I fired a cold shot. - Now, go away!
Dropping Rose, I walked away. She began to cry, but I no longer felt sorry for her, and her tears did not convince me. She turned around and made mention of leaving, but Aideen spoke out.
- Rose? Wait!
Rose turned to face her.
- I'll have a guard and some servants escort you to the cottage. You'll stay there until this child is born.
- What's that? What's that? - we said in unison.
- Lowenna said everyone in the MacCalister family is born with blue eyes. - Aideen took a break. - It was this way with Alec, Bruce and you, as well as Cora. If this child is born with clear eyes, you will leave him in Alec's care and live in the country in a comfortable home. You can see her as she grows up, always with the company of a servant and a soldier.
- That's absurd! - Rose argued. - I will not abandon my son. I'll stay where he is.
- That's a fair offer, and it's the only one I can offer. - Aideen declared. - You don't want Alistair or moose, nor do you care about this child. What you want is status and power. I can recognize this in every word and action you say, because I was raised in an environment like this. I knew Alistair wasn't lying, because if he really wanted a woman like you, I couldn't even stop him.
She took a break smiling.
- Besides, he's mine. - she shot me looking in my direction. - Now I know that.
Smile at Aideen and I nodded. Rose took a deep breath in a deeply indignant way.
- All right! All right! I'll take it! - Rose answered by lowering her head.
- Oh, great! Since we're clear... Aideen took my arm by putting it around his shoulder. - Now if you'll excuse me, I need to take care of my husband. Guards escort her to her destination. One more thing...
Aideen took a break.
- If I go back to that fiefdom uninvited, I'll be forced to send her to the gallows. - Aideen fired. - Whether or not I'm the mother of my nephew.
Rose didn't answer, but he shot Aideen in anger. Guards came to escort Rose and she withdrew humiliated. We went up in silence, but I was proud of my tough wife's attitude.
- Why'd you do that? - I asked by sitting on one of the armchairs.
- Just as she lied about you being the father, she may be lying about Alec too. We won't know until the child is born. - Aideen declared taking the towel and starting to dry my hair. - There's no way we can confirm that Alec was actually with her before she left.
- Well, I can send a letter asking.
- Is that so? What will you say to justify your question? - Aideen asked. - You can't tell Alec that Rose is possibly pregnant with him. He's in command of his army and needs to concentrate. You can't worry him now.
- You're right! - I sighed. - It's not something you tell in a letter, especially from your brother.
- We can tell you when all this is over.
Aideen sighed, finished drying my chest and stood up to get the dry clothes that were on the bed. I was impressed by her quick thinking skills. For someone who was trapped in a room for almost three years, she was very intelligent and seemed to be more lively than I imagined. Maybe it was because of the books I read.
- You're an amazing person. - I whispered kissing your neck.
- I know what it's like not to have a mother's affection. - Aideen sighed. - If this child is really Alec's son, he's sure to want to take care of her.
- Come on, but didn't I pick the right wife? - said pulling Aideen as she approached. - Thank you! Thank you!
- I was just trying to be diplomatic. - she sighed. - That way we'll buy time to make sure everything's done without being unfair. I know she's worthless, but I can't let her use an innocent child to get what she wants.
- And it was a great idea!
Aideen sighed when I approached her to kiss her, but she turned her face discontentedly.
- What's going on? - I asked with a frown.
- I'm still mad that you invited Rose to your bed the day we got married. - she said walking away. - I need to think a little bit. I'll get dressed in another room and see what Wally did for lunch.
