I had given express orders that no one should let Annabel leave the castle and both Alistair and Aideen agreed with my decision. She was furious when she tried to escape this morning and the guards arrested her. I had not yet spoken to Aideen about what had happened during our stay at the inn and was gathering the courage to ask Annabel's hand from her, as she was her sister and queen.
I don't know how long it's been since I decided to come in for a bath. I needed to talk to Alistair about what to do with Morvan. He had been furious when he saw the man who was responsible for Cora's death and his first reaction was to try to kill him. As Annabel had done, Aideen interposed herself and suggested a trial. However, I very much doubted that Alistair would judge him and, in order to keep my promise, I would have to climb some of my men to execute him. Morvan might have been in jail, but he still posed a great danger. There was still the fact that MacGregor's men were dressed as English soldiers and carrying out attacks, which only made Roy's intentions to promote an external war even clearer. He'd have to be stopped as soon as possible.
After the bath, I passed through the kitchen and headed for the main hall, where I knew Alistair and Aideen would be. I heard altered voices coming from inside. Franzin' my forehead, I opened the door and came across an angry and wet Annabel. There was also a covering of mud or sand, I'm not sure, but it was black and covered his soaked hair.
- I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Am I interrupting something? - I asked myself approaching to wander and put the fruit basket on the table. - What happened to you? Looks like he tripped over a mud puddle.
Annabel grunted by closing her fists.
- I was sitting in the courtyard next to the garden, reading a book quietly, when I was surprised by a jet of cold water. But it did not stop there, for when I got up frightened, they threw another one at me. - she said in an angry tone. - When I looked up, that crazy Adelaide girl smiled with disdain holding a bucket.
Annabel was screaming furiously. It surprised me because it didn't seem like an act Adelaide would take.
- That must be some mistake! - said trying to ease the situation. - Are you sure it was Adelaide?
Annabel closed her eyes.
- Now, besides being crazy, I'm a liar? - she yelled. - That woman threw dirty water on me!
Aideen approached us and put her hand on Annabel's shoulders.
- Calm down, my sister! - she said. - Nobody here thinks you're crazy or a liar. I know you speak the truth and I would never lie to myself.
Annabel took a deep breath and tears began to appear in her beautiful eyes.
- I don't want to stay here under the same roof as that crazy woman. I want to go to the convent, where I know I'll be safe. - she sniffed. - If I stay, with Adelaide teasing me like that, I don't know if I can answer for myself.
- What's that? What's that? - Aideen asked. - I don't get it!
- Aideen, I'm gonna kill her! - Annabel fired.
Aideen looked at Alistair, who stared at me. I shook my head in negative and he took a deep breath. Aideen made a face and reprimanded me with the look, but she nodded.
- Annabel, as I said earlier today, this is the safe place for you to be now.
I took a deep breath, thanking you with my eyes. I knew the storm would blow soon, but I was ready to calm her down or irritate her even more.
- I agree! That goes for both of us. - he said. - As captain of the guard, I don't advise leaving Dunhill now. If possible, stick to the village and nothing else.
Annabel grunted and did a countdown mentally waiting for the moment of the explosion.
- That's absurd! - it exploded. - If I were to become a prisoner, I would have stayed with my mother!
I took a deep breath.
- Annabel, I'm not trying to make you a prisoner.
- Nobody is! - sustained Alistair.
- You saw it on the road. - he said, approaching her. - You have been attacked countless times by soldiers dressed as English, who we know, have been sent by their father to help Ravenna and spread terror. I can't guarantee your safety away from those walls.
She grunted one more time, closing her fists. As if reading her thoughts, I held Annabel's wrist before her hand touched my face.
- I already asked you not to do that! - he said between his teeth.
- He's not my father! - she returned it in the same tone. - Why do you keep saying that?
- I understand your suffering, but whether you're your father or not, for your own safety, you'll stay in Dunhill with your sister. - Alistair fired a forceful shot.
Keeping my eye on hers, I completed the order given by Alistair.
- Let it be clear, that none of my men are allowed to escort you out of this castle beyond Dunhill's limits. If you insist, you will be condemning them to death, for I will do that if any of them disobey me to help you.
Annabel rolled her eyes out like a child caught in a trap.
