Bruce took a deep breath sitting on one of the chairs.
- And it doesn't stop there! MacGregor has already received news of his marriage to Aideen and has sent mercenaries to take her to Edinburgh.
- I know that! - said making a face and sitting with Aideen on a wide armchair. - We were attacked in the woods a few days ago. Not only what he'd done with Aideen, he still tried to kill her.
- Aideen, there's still more to your mother, but I don't know how you're gonna react. - Bruce said by drinking a little brandy.
She frowned.
- Nothing can be worse than knowing that Aila is dead. - she said snuggling up in my chest.
Bruce took a deep breath.
- I found out that Ravenna comes from a very ambitious English family. They did everything they could to get close to royalty, but Ravenna ended up falling in love with Phillipe and they got married in secret.
- Is my mother the princess of England?
- Actually, I don't. - Bruce took a break. - King Augustus discovered that she was cheating on Phillipe with Roy and had the marriage annulled. Ravenna lost her title, was exiled to Scotland with a lot of money to buy a husband and hide a secret.
- What secret? - I asked curious.
- She was pregnant with a little girl.
Aideen looked up to Bruce with surprise.
- Aila is Phillipe's daughter? - I asked.
- Yeah, but it's not just her. - Bruce smiled. - You're married to one of the heirs of the Lancaster family, my cousin. Although she is illegitimate, because Ravenna got pregnant from Phillipe again after being exiled, Aideen has rights as heiress.
- I'm the king's daughter! - Aideen whispered. - How is that possible? What about Annabel?
- Loch was just a decoy so no one would find out that Ravenna had left England with a child in her belly. He had the prince's traits and would do well for his role. That's how the blacksmith became rich overnight. - Bruce took a break sipping more booze. - Ravenna didn't stay away for long and went back to meet Phillipe. That's how you were generated.
- So only Annabel is Loch's daughter? - I asked by frowning.
- No, I don't either. - Bruce fired.
- What do you mean? - Aideen asked. - If Loch is not Annabel's father, then who is he?
- Royland MacGregor!
I missed the air when Bruce finished talking. The worst part is, it made sense. Annabel's almost white hair was exactly the same as Roy's, as well as his features and genius.
- It can't be! - Aideen whispered.
- Unfortunately, Ravenna still loves Roy very much and not as a half-brother. She continued meeting him even after she resumed with Phillipe, but he found out everything and cut off any relationship with his mother. He hates her, actually.
- That's why Annabel was always her favorite. - I whispered. - The reason Roy didn't touch Annabel was because of her fatherhood.
- Not exactly! - Bruce said. - You didn't pay attention to anything I said, did you? Aideen is the sole heir to the English throne, since Aila is dead. If Roy got her pregnant, she not only ran the risk of getting the most powerful army, but also had access to the court. Who knows, until he was crowned after Phillipe's death, since he'd have to marry Aideen.
- You bastard! - he said between his teeth. - Ravenna didn't make that scandal because Aideen wasn't a virgin. She made a scandal because I chose her.
- Exactly! - Bruce sighed.
- She was hoping that I would return Aideen and marry Annabel. She'd keep the deal with my dad, but it'd just be a distraction. - smiles with relief at being so impulsive.
- Alistair, what if my mother intended to send me to Edinburgh? - Aideen speculated. - Maybe he still wants to get me pregnant.
- Or blackmail Phillipe! - said exasperated. - It would explain why Ravenna was angry the day she left Dunhill. That's why Roy stayed in the fortress for so long. Now, with the attack we suffered in the forest, make clear his intent.
Roy didn't want to negotiate a truce or he was afraid. It was very likely that he was not even in Edinburgh hiding and that was just a decoy to keep me away from his real goal.
- I need to send a letter to Alec! - ...he said, getting up and going to the desk... - I need to tell him everything you found and order an attack.
- But that's a fortress! - Bruce said exasperated. - Besides, it'll take days for the messenger to get to Alec.
I sat at the desk, ignoring Bruce's appeal and began to write two letters. When I was ready, I got up and gave myself to him.
- I need you to have this letter delivered to my father telling him everything that's going on. This should be sent to Alec as soon as possible. - said delivering the envelopes. - I'm going to Inverness and I'll bring Annabel back so she'll be safe.
