Lucy Wickshire 199 Chapter Twenty-Two 20

She turned sharply from the hall way into the outer yard and almost fell, only to be held in place effortlessly by her maid. She looked up at the two, who had paused before her. Lady Wicks.h.i.+re only looked between her and her companion.

Walter blankly watched as Helen struggled to calm her breath. She immediately curtsied to Walter, and her maid followed suit.

"You're back!" she said, "How long have you been back?"

"A little while." Walter said. Lucy glanced between the two and started walking away.

"Both of you, come." she said and Lady Steinhouse grabbed unto Walter's arm the moment he turned away, as though he was going to vanish any second.

They all moved to the outer sitting room and settled down. Walter and Helen sat before Lucy, who but glanced at how close Lady Steinhouse sat to Walter.

"King Larken is dead." Lucy said and Helen froze.

"What?" she managed to say.

"Prince Thelmus killed him." Lucy answered and a tear rolled down Helen's cheek.

"What happened?" Helen asked.

"He led Isne soldiers to take over Juhntt, killed the king and planned to crown himself king." Lucy explained.

"That devil's sp.a.w.n." Helen whispered, more tears falling down her cheeks. One look, and Walter could tell she was in pain.

"Adrian handled it. He will be crowned instead of Prince Thelmus. He should have taken care of it by now." Lucy said.

"Adrian? As in, Lord of Merve?" Helen looked confused.

"Yes."

"How?"

"He is the first son after all; the legitimate crown prince of Juhntt." Lucy answered.

"What?" Helen could not take the shock. She was starting to feel dizzy.

"The t.i.tle of d.u.c.h.ess of Wicks.h.i.+re, it is how I got it. At that time, I arranged for him to meet Adrian; a show of good faith. In a panic, King Larken called him Lord of Merve, when people asked who he was. He was never good at lying on the spot, was he, your uncle? I guess I should have told him I was bringing his son to his coronation dinner." Lucy said carelessly.

"You have known all this long. Adrian did too?" Lady Steinhouse asked.

"Of course."

"You brought him to the coronation dinner because you wanted a reaction, didn't you?" Helen was angry right now. But at whom? She did not know.

"Of course. Your grand father, King Garthen arranged for Adrian to be raised right here in Juhntt, yet your uncle did not know. I was doing him a great service. In return for the Wicks.h.i.+re dukedom, I made Merve a long lost n.o.ble house." Lucy explained.

"How?"

"Rumour. Lady Fontaine's talent is heaven defying. If she started a rumour, one could not escape it even if he jumped into the redemption lake to clear his sins." Lucy complimented.

"Did you know? That my uncle...." Helen started to ask.

"Yes, I knew what Prince Thelmus was up to and knew he would kill his father." Lucy answered and Helen stood abruptly.

"The king was plotted against and you did nothing?!" Helen scolded.

"Helen, sit down!" Walter sternly scolded. She hesitated at Walter's cold eyes before doing as told.

"So what?" Lucy asked mildly; she did not seem to bother about her outburst. She sounded as though they were discussing the weather.

"So what if he was going to die?" Lucy's words caused Helen to loose her soul.

"How does his life and death concern me? Why should I help him? Do you honestly think he is my king? Even he, would not dare accept that t.i.tle." Helen could not counter what Lucy had said.

"I am not so benevolent and patriotic. If you were to be killed, I would only interfere because of Walter. He is important, so you are important. That is how I rate value. King or not, he is no one to me. If Adrian had held even a little sentiment towards him, I would have probably prevented his death. Not because he is a loved one, but because Adrian is important. Adrian's mission given to him by me, is to conquer Thriegor while I am gone. I would have only saved him so that nothing interferes with Adrian's mind set. So that he can work to full potential." Lucy's words caused Helen to be depressed. Looking at her sullen form, Walter sighed; this was reality. He did not care about the king, but he cared about Helen. Still, the lady is not an all loving G.o.d, but a vengeful one.

"Tomorrow, the alignment battleground opens. Tomorrow, this lady turns thirteen." Lucy said.

"Congratulations on your anniversary, my lady." Walter complimented, "You must have a feast prepared, then?" he smiled.

"Of course, fireworks! Fireworks that can be seen across realms." Lucy said, excitement flas.h.i.+ng through her eyes.