- Well! I still think it's a little primitive for a woman to use a gun. Even if to defend himself. - Adelaide said, on a provocative note, returning to the subject. - So what good would men be, if not to defend us?
- His thought is quite retrograde, considering that our origin was founded and established on top of great battles against enemies, that today, add to our culture. - I answered cordially. - It is right to remember that in several battles like these, many women were leaders. Therefore, in times like our own, I do not have to be ashamed to know how to wield a sword and not have to depend on a man to defend me from any danger. Whatever it is.
Bruce let out a laugh, making Adelaide snort. Aideen looked at me as a proud spectator, while Alistair almost applauded me for my words. Adelaide stirred herself in the chair and stretched her arm to cut a piece of pork.
- I don't think we'd be in "times like ours" if it wasn't your father's fault. - she fired with disdain.
Those words brought me to the height of my irritation, yet I tried to control myself.
- Roy MacGregor is not my father! - I shot between my teeth.
- Is that so? That's not what I heard! - she fired.
- Yeah, you heard wrong! - I took a deep breath. - I am the daughter of Loch MacBride, and no one but him will be my father.
- Are you sure about that? - Adelaide provoked again.
I've had enough of her boldness.
- That's enough, Adelaide! - shot Alistair. - Lord Macintosh, contain your daughter or I will be forced to cast you out of the fiefdom in the rain.
Alistair's words surprised me. It seemed that he was also not enjoying much the presence of Ector and Adelaide in the castle, but she was engaged to his cousin and he should support him.
- It's okay, Alistair! - I said sighing, and I stood up. - I still feel exhausted, so I should retire as soon as possible.
- But, my sister, you haven't eaten anything! - fired Aideen. - You'll end up sick from it.
- I'm sorry, Aideen, but I'm not hungry! - I said in a sorrowful way. - I came to the banquet, just to accompany you.
- I'll escort you to your quarters! - said Bruce standing up.
- Thank you, but that's not necessary! - I took a break. - Like I said, I know every path that this castle hides.
- I can imagine where "those paths" have taken her.
I looked at Adelaide smiling at me with disdain.
- May I ask why you were offending me? - I fired angry. - You've been teasing me since I sat at this table. What have I done to deserve your contempt?
Adelaide smiled for a few moments and replied with coldness.
- He was born!
Dropping a scornful laugh, I threw the napkin on the table and turned my back.
- Forgive me, but I don't have to stand here and listen to this! - I shot myself away.
- Get out, really! - she fired in a debauched way. - Nobody needs a whore around. In fact, you offend the image of your sister's queen.
Frowning my forehead, I turned abruptly and looked at it indignantly.
- What did you say? - I asked.
- What you heard me say! - she fired while standing up. - Or do you think I don't know that you slept with my fiancé?
- What's that? What's that? - said Aideen shocked. - Did you go to bed with Bruce?
Holding my breath, I looked at Bruce, who shook his head in a negative way as if answering a silent question.
- Aideen, that's not what you're thinking! - Bruce fired in a stunned voice.
- Yes, it is! - Adelaide fired. - As you can see, Your Majesty, your sister is a first-class whore.
- Shut up, Adelaide! - Bruce has gone wild. - I didn't even know we were engaged when it happened.
Bruce closed his eyes, growling, at the moment his words were spoken. They all looked at me in shock. That was the height of my day. The humiliation that was missing. Now everyone knew that my reputation was tarnished, although I didn't care much about not getting a husband who respected me. If I didn't want to get married before, now that I knew what it was to be used, even less so. Even though I was humiliated, I decided to leave that room with my head held high, because I refused to lower it for anyone else. But first, I'd take a prize along with me.
Smiling coldly, I stared at Adelaide. She looked from side to side and frowned without understanding. I approached the table again, keeping my eye on hers.
- You know what, Adelaide? It's because of situations like this that I thank you for being able to defend myself!
Without thinking twice, I held the knife hard and grunted.
- Annabel, no! - Bruce screamed too late, realizing what I'd do.
I ignored him and the next instant, I was on my knees on the table, holding Adelaide's hair tightly. With the knife in my hand, I pulled the end of her throat to keep her still. Adelaide
