- Did you see what I said?
- My cousin! - he said hugging Alistair. - Ma'am!
Smiling, I hugged Bruce, who was taken by surprise.
- You can call me Aideen. - I did. - How was your trip?
He looked at Alistair who nodded.
- Tiring and surprising.
- What do you mean by that? - Alistair asked by frowning.
- I need to talk to you. - he said with a worried face.
- All right! All right! We'll be ready in a few minutes. - he replied by looking at me.
- Alistair, I need to talk to you alone. - Bruce fired with a serious face. - I'm sorry, Aideen, but there's something I've discovered that might scare you a little bit.
- It's okay! It's okay! - I sighed. - There is nothing more that comes from that place that can truly scare me, but I will understand if I prefer to talk only with Alistair.
Bruce looked at Alistair.
- Let Aideen participate in the conversation, if you wish. - he kissed my forehead. - She's stronger than she looks.
I smiled at him and kissed Alistair's face. Bruce smiled, folding his arms.
- Apparently, you two got along? - he said.
- We're still working on it, but... Alistair took a break. - We can say that we fight and make up several times. I confess it's been fun.
I turned my eyes and shook my head.
- That's very good! - said Bruce, looking seriously at Alistair. - I'd hate to have to pick up the pieces.
Alistair turned his eyes and smiled ironically.
- Can we? - he asked.
- If you'll allow me, I'm starving to death. - he said, making a face. - I need to ask Wally to prepare roast beef with honey.
- Again, Aideen! - Alistair asked with a face. - It's the third time only this week. Lately you've been eating very strange and disgusting things.
- What can I do if I feel like eating these things? - ...I shot him with my shoulders on. - You want some too?
- You know I don't! - he said making a face.
- Oh, great! That leaves more for me.
Alistair shook his head with disgusted expression.
- Roast meat with honey? - Bruce asked.
- Yeah. Yesterday she wanted to eat raw fish. - Alistair fired.
- How long have you been having these urges? - asked Bruce with a funny look.
- It started a couple of months ago, and in the last few weeks it's been getting worse. - Alistair answered for me. - Why is that? Do you think Aideen might be sick?
Bruce had a laugh.
- Not exactly, but it gets better and better! - he answered. We looked at Bruce with a frown and he changed the subject. - Are you sure you want to hear what I have to say?
- Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
He looked at Alistair, who nodded.
- All right! All right! I'll take a bath, then I'll find them in the library. - he approached me with a mysterious smile on his lips. - Have fun with your meat and honey.
I didn't understand his words and Bruce disappeared into the castle. Alistair sighed, so he walked me to the kitchen. A mixture of worry and curiosity dominated me, but nothing would stand between me and the food. Nothing!
Chapter 17
Alistair
Aideen and I went into the library. Bruce was already waiting for us. He walked around the room nervously. I realized he was trying to find words to start with. Bruce was already scaring me with all that mystery.
- I'm surprised you didn't come into the kitchen before we talked. - he said in an ironic way. - Or, to have accepted Aideen's suggestion of food.
Bruce took a deep breath.
- What I'm about to say can be a little shocking to you, Aideen.
- Don't worry about me, Bruce. - Aideen said before she sat down. - I know Alistair sent you to investigate my life. I'm not worried about what you found out, because there's nothing you're going to say that Alistair doesn't know.
- With the pardon of the word. - said Bruce. - There are things Alistair doesn't know, let alone you.
- You're scaring us, Bruce! - I said exasperatedly. - Just say once and for all what you've discovered.
He took a deep breath.
- I believe you already know that Roy raped Aideen. - he said.
- Yes. Aideen told me. - I answered dry. - Including both Ravenna and he will pay for what they did. Him for raping her and her for covering for him. Besides, there's still the fact that Ravenna took Aideen prisoner. I want to see her hang by the neck.
- These aren't their only crimes. - Bruce fired. - I got information from a former nanny who witnessed some of Ravenna's conversations with Roy. She claims it was Ravenna herself who designed the whole thing.
Aideen held her breath.
- I was afraid that
