Chapter 27: Chapter 27

It was once again one of my father's proms to find a husband for Sonia. Sonia is my sister and will take over and run my parents' Brug.

I am very lucky that I was allowed to grow up here at all. My parents have decided to keep their daughters here. So I was spared a life as a nun.

For that I endure these unbearable events. I sat in a corset and twelve skirts on a stool at the table and waved my wine goblet because I was so bored that I needed at least some occupation.

"Bea!" Our nanny Lanett. She always took care of Sonia, she would eventually inherit the castle. And so I was signed off and a burden. "Why are you getting drunk here!?"

"It's the same wine as two hours ago. I haven't refilled it the whole time."

I sounded just as bad-tempered as she. Gosh, I'd much rather be on a horse. Somewhere in the mountains of the Highlands.

Lanett pressed her lips together until they were white and thin. "I hate you."

I wagged my eyebrows. "Very good."

Angrily she left me and stamped to my parents. She gestured wildly with her arm and desperately played innocence. The way she behaved drew far more attention than I did. I was just about to take my eyes off the spectacle when I noticed my father get up and walk over to me.

As he stood in front of me, his stern expression changed to a nervous one. "You behave yourself, don't you child?"

"Of course, you know I would never embarrass you." And so it was. My parents have always been good to me and even made sure that I never felt less than my sister.

He gently strokes my cheek. "I know that. I just have to come over for peace. Don't you want to dance?"

"I'm sorry, but I can't even dance, father. Am I really not allowed to go? The men are coming anyway because of Sonia."

Father smiled and let his gaze wander over our packed hall. "You know how rude that would seem."

After that he patted my shoulder again and went back to my mother.

"Don't feel like dancing, my lady?"

The hair on the back of my neck stood up. That deep bass and the cunning in that voice. I first looked at the long legs, the broad shoulders, and then the outrageous dimple.

"Sir Campbell."

"You look very beautiful." He ran his sly gaze over me. "Do you want to dance now?"

I returned his gaze stubbornly as he locked eyes with me again. "I'm too clumsy."

avan. This man. Just eighteen years old and yet he has an aura that takes my breath away... He gently grabbed my elbow and led me onto the dance floor. So... I told you I don't dance. When I stopped abruptly, he gave me a surprised smile.

"I said I don't want to dance."

Avan smiled in front of me and cheekily placed a hand on my spine. "Better not argue with me, Bea. I would love to feel your claws."

Good heavens! "What kind of knight are you, my lord!?"

Avan's smile widened again. His strong chin and beautiful jaw. He was perfect... Avan came closer to me, I could feel his breath... "One day you'll find out."

"Don't get your hopes up."

Avan's gaze changed. He had decided something. "Do you want to challenge me?"

Why not? "If you dare."

Avan's dimples snapped me out of my stubbornness. The soft tip of his nose brushed my nose, his hand back on my spine pressing me against him and his deep voice...

"Don't lean too far out of the window, Lady Bea."

I could play the game too. I unobtrusively pressed my chest against his chest and rubbed my thighs against his. I felt his arm muscles tense. "So are you, Sir Campbell."

With a veiled look, Avan let go of me and indicated a bow. "That was a nice dance, Lady Bea. Always a pleasure."

I politely lowered my chin and strolled leisurely to the nearest door. Out. Path. Far away. Avan was dangerous.

I stopped on the terrace. It was dark and the spring evening made me shiver. But I needed that now. Sir Cambpell had teased me.

"What are you doing here?" Hissed the meanest and most spoiled snake there is. sonia

"Leave me alone." I growled and turned my back on her.

"Are you trying to make a fool of me!? Go right back inside."

I heard her footsteps on the stone floor. Then she stood next to me. Her brown hair was elaborately pinned up, her blue dress was tight and expensive. She really was a beauty. But only her face.

"I'll call Lanett, I swear to you." she threatened softly.

"And I call father." I smiled sharply.

Suddenly her face turned red. Her hand shot up and swooped toward my face. But it didn't.

"Don't you dare." That deep growl... Avan had caught Sonia. He held her wrist and glared at her menacingly.

Frightened, Sonia blinked and took in Avan's body. "Who are you?"

"Avan Campbell, of the White Knights."

Sonia calmed down, only apparently, and Avan let go of her. Why did he even get involved!? Was he following me!?

"Campbell. Well, you know how it is with younger siblings. Sometimes you have to get your point across."

Avan's expression remained blank and rock hard. "I've got eight little brothers. And that I never get my point across."

Sonia tried to charm Avan again by smiling at him, which finally helped her with Lanett and father. But not with the white knights. "Would you leave us alone?"

Sonia looked at me like I was the annoyance while Avan kept his eyes on her.

"Excuse me? Do you mean me?"

"I beg you."

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. With one last look in Avan's eyes, she went back to her guests.

"I could have done that on my own..." I mumbled and turned away from him.

Avan nodded and looked at the twinkling stars above us. "I know that, but I didn't want that."

"Why should I care?"

"I don't care." He laughed and shoved his hands in his pockets.

When Avan tilted his head slightly towards me, I was glad that it was so dark. My face was glowing.

"Did your father tell you?" His dimple became visible and I became cautious. That can't mean anything good.

"What should he have said?"

"I'm staying here tonight."

I beg your pardon!?

Unbelievable that Avan actually meant it seriously. When the last of the drunks staggered out of the room, Avan actually stopped by my parents and exchanged pleasantries.

He noticed my gaze and immediately came towards me. Before I could turn away, he was standing in front of me, smiling arrogantly. "Why are you looking at me so angry, my lady?"

"Because you're overbearing. And pushy."

Avan looked down. Still, his dimple appeared. "I'm just tired. I would never want to be arrogant towards you in particular."

My heart started racing. Something about this tall, cheeky young man made me think I was addicted to poppies. "Well, then I won't glare at you either."

Avan's dark blue eyes looked at me through his thick lashes. My cheeks immediately began to glow. "Would you like to have breakfast with me before I leave?"

"I don't know, Avan. Wouldn't that give the wrong impression?"

Avan cocked his head charmingly. "Would that be bad for you?"

"Rumors are rumours..."

Then he gently placed his hands on my elbows and gently rubbed my arm up to my shoulders. "We've known each other for two years, Bea. Isn't it really obvious how much you mean to me?"

And how obvious it was. That was the only reason my parents invited him. "When will you leave tomorrow?"

"Everything is prepared during breakfast and then we leave immediately."

My heart spasmed. Why did he have to drive again so soon? "I'll be there."

Late at night I still can't find any rest. Avan was only one floor below me. I kept imagining him lying under the sheets. One arm under his head and those beautiful eyes on the ceiling. over which my bed stood.

Oh my god I was so ridiculous. I would have preferred to hit myself. Next I would lose my nerve because he was breathing the same air as me...

I was still tired from yesterday's trip and the party afterwards. When a servant woke me up the next morning, at first I thought I was just dreaming. Then I recognized the strange crossbeams of the ceiling above me.

Only reluctantly I rolled out of bed, washed my face and got dressed. However, when I smelled fresh bread, I became more energetic in my plans.

Bea looked so beautiful last night. I had never seen her in a dress before. Her narrow waist under this blue tight fabric. I became painfully aware of her entire delicate stature as she simply rubbed against me. This woman was made for me. She must be mine because I was convinced she loved me. Otherwise the whole evening yesterday would have been different.

Still yawning, I descended the stairs into the hallway and followed the smell of food into yesterday's ballroom. I found it too ostentatious, but on the other hand this hall was notorious for its expensive furnishings. Presumably they didn't want to use it just for a ball, since it was so expensive. Too flashy, too expensive.

The first thing I saw was Bea's sister Sonia sitting on one of the wide chairs. She had tied her long hair together elaborately and her dress had a lot of strange patterns that must have been expensive. I was really fed up with this constant flaunting of money.

The white knight also had a lot of money, more than the other knight estates. But no one ever thought of proving it like that.

Sonia put one grape after another in her mouth. I couldn't see Bea. My mood changed immediately. She had promised...

"Good morning, my lord!" Sonia whistled when she spotted me and waved me to the table.

"Milady." I bowed my head politely before sitting down.

Now I had to have breakfast with Bea's impossible sister. Why? God in heaven why!? I had always been an honorable man...

"Did you sleep well?" Sonia's voice sounded higher than it could normally be.

"Good thank you."

Sonia bit her lower lip as she took in my overall appearance. Gosh, was I a melon at the market!?

Suddenly the ballroom door opened and a heady smell of fried bacon wafted in. Followed by a black-haired, long-legged Amazon. bea

She was carrying a large plate of bread and bacon. With a confident look she placed him in the middle of the table. "Good morning, Sir Campbell."

"Good morning, my lady." She hadn't forgotten me.

Sonia glared at her angrily. "I thought you would get me my wheat?"

"I told you there's no wheat in the kitchen today."

Sonia clenched her fists. "I want my wheat bran."

"Then get him yourself."

For a moment they just stared at each other, then Sonia jumped up.

"Lanett!" she shrieked shrilly. I've never been happier to have little brothers and no sisters.

The door flew open and her grey-haired nanny rushed in. Before she could even say anything, Sonia grabbed the plate Bea had just placed in front of me and threw it across the ballroom. Bea gave me an embarrassed look, only to jump up immediately.

When Sonia threw goblets around, Bea grabbed her and threw her back onto the chair. "Stop it! You're shaming our parents!"

Lanett grabbed her and threw her to the ground. That's enough!

Bea just landed on the slippery floor when I was already standing over her. The nursemaid stared at me as if I had slapped her. I would have liked to, but I didn't.

"Don't touch the lady so rudely again." I growled angrily.

My father always taught me that a woman should never be hit. Even if a lot of men did it, he wouldn't want anything more from me if I were a man like that. That had always made me think. But right now, I'd really like to beat up that Lanett girl.

Nobody was allowed to touch my Bea, nobody !

"Don't interfere with my work, my lord!" Work!?

Unable to say anything else, I turned silently and grabbed Bea's gentle wrist.

I staggered after Avan, confused. He was a little over a head taller than me, with broad, strong shoulders and a steady, confident gait. And then there was anger. What was he up to?

I was so incredibly embarrassed that Avan had seen Sonia like that. For two years I had tried to keep her true nature hidden from Avan. And then it was over in a second. And Lanett! That rude beast! How uncomfortable it was when he came between us.

I kept tribbing after Avan. He led me to Father's study. It lay down a long dark corridor, tapestries hung on the walls, bare stone lay on the floor. He stopped in front of the heavy dark wooden door and pounded on it. I was afraid the old wood would collapse.

"Jefrey!" He yelled, echoing off the walls. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. It sounded like a roaring lion - at least that's how it was described in my books.

A shocked servant opened the door and immediately jumped aside as Avan pushed the door open, pulling me into the dimly lit room behind him.

My father brushed his brown hair back from his forehead, his forehead wrinkled and he pulled his glasses off his nose.

"What have you done, kid!?" He scolded before looking at Avan apologetically. Who could blame him? Still, it made a bad impression. "Please excuse-"

Avan raised a hand. "Bea didn't do anything. It was Sonia."

Dad fell back into his chair and rubbed his forehead. "How much will it cost, Sir Campbell."

Avan pulled me next to him and arched his back. "Her daughter."

What!? Avan meant business! But... Father now understood why I was here and stared at Avan in bewilderment. I tried to wriggle out of his grip. Then he looked at me from the side and lifted a corner of his mouth. It ripped me out of my concept so much that I stopped and stared at him. He was actually dead serious.

"She's only fourteen years old, Campbell."

"I know."

"Excuse me!" I huffed indignantly. "I'm not going to be sold because of Sonia!"

"Quiet." Avan muttered under his breath and continued. Unbelievable! "Sonia has been behaving terribly. I don't know how to extrapolate that to the rest of the castle. How are the other people in this castle? Doesn't the good reputation of this castle do justice to the people who live in it?"

My father turned pale. That would be the end of it, the dealers would distance themselves, the balls would no longer be attended... All the money that came with our visits was the main source of income for this farm. If word got around that my father didn't have the castle properly under control, the reputation would sink and nobody would come back.

He blackmailed my father!? I tore myself away from him angrily. "You dare threaten my father!"

"Now just wait!" he growled at me fiercely.

"Avan-"

"-Bea! I won't let anyone treat my lover like that! I've been watching you three for two years. Gotta see how they treat you. It's over now!"

I was about to tell him it wasn't his business when my father raised his hand grimly. "Treat? I thought you didn't mind Lanett?"

I had never told my father what Lanett had done. i was too proud I looked down, embarrassed. "It was bearable."

"Bea." My father rose threateningly. "What happened?"

I couldn't tell. It was too humiliating. Especially since Avan was standing next to me. He ran his fingers through his hair. "Sir, didn't you wonder two years ago why Bea suddenly cut her hair? It came down to her waist, then not even to her ears."

This memory brought tears to my eyes. Lanett held me, Sonia cut her off. She had been jealous because my hair had grown faster than hers.

Father stared at me. Avan continued to speak softly. "And the Black Eye? The cut clothes? Your lost horse? Your missing jewelry?"

That was too much. I was about to tell Avan to shut up when Father coughed. "You promise me that Bea will be better with you?"

What? "Father? Are you sending me away?"

He tilted his head sadly. "Child, you like Sir Campbell. He worries about you. And you don't seem well here, and I was blind."

Avan looked down. "I'm sorry for banging on the door, but I can't bear to drive home and leave Bea behind."

Father came around the table and put a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, I'm grateful to you. Bea would never have told me."

Dad looked at me sadly and pulled me into his arms. "Don't be sad. And don't be mad at him."

"But I'm not ready to marry, father."

I caught Avan's gaze over my father's shoulder. He smiled reassuringly.

"I'll go get your mother, you two talk." Father stroked my cheek and then left the room.

I was kind of angry. He shouldn't have said all that over my head. He recognized my angry look and leaned against the black desk. He waited for his lecture.

"How could you humiliate me like that?"

"I did not want." He didn't meet my eyes. "But I can't leave you here again..."

Tears of anger welled up in my eyes. "When did I say I was getting married?"

Avan lifted his head and grinned. There was that arrogant look back in his eyes. "I never asked your opinion either."

"Wonderful!" I threw my arms in the air. "And you will be my husband."

Avan grinned widely, his dimple not failing to impress. My anger faded. He put both hands on my sides and smiled down at me. "Exactly."

He gently stroked my cheek. "Do you want to be my wife?"

I wanted to say no. Simply because he was so sure. But I couldn't bring that together...

"Yes." A wide beam spread across my face. "I'd love to."

My mother retied the laces of my dress before hugging me tightly. Her black hair was streaked with white strands and her small wrinkles on her eyes testified to her age, but apart from that you hardly noticed anything about her. She was in excellent health and as active as ever...

"I'm glad it turned out to be Avan. He has a good reputation and most importantly, he likes you."

She loosened the hem of my skirts again. They were blossom white.

"I can't, mother. Ever since Henry Campbell died, Avan has been running the castle, so that means I'm supposed to support him." mother nodded. "But I never learned that..."

"You can do it." She handed me a chain which I immediately put on. "After all, he cares so much about you that he immediately wanted to take you with him. I think that if you make an effort, he'll understand."

Your words encouraged me. At least enough for me to let her lead me into the chapel. It was so quick. My father conducted the ceremony, made Avan's promise, and proclaimed us husband and wife. After that, mother's maids brought us to my room. It was urgent because we both had to leave... It was awkward.

I felt the door slam in my back as it slammed shut behind me. I got hot instantly. Everyone was just waiting for Avan to attack me so we could continue riding immediately. Hell, it felt awful.

"Bea?" The toes of his boots came into view. "You're really pretty."

He reached out and touched my waist. Actually, he didn't feel so strange otherwise, but the whole situation made it really difficult for me...

"Calm down. You know me." When I looked up I saw his unmistakable dimple. "We've been dating for two years."

While I was still chewing on my cheek, he opened my laces in front of my chest and stroked the bridge of my nose with the tip of his nose. That reminded me of the ball yesterday.

It was all good. This was Avan. The white knight who came to a ball with his father two years ago and laughed with me at the guests. my avan

"Hey, you smile!" I felt it widen and bumped into his shoulders.

"Do not make fun of me!"

Avan glared playfully. "Don't push me again, woman!"

I would wean him off that right away. I wasn't a woman! So I pushed him as hard as I could. Avan quickly grabbed my arm and slumped down on the bed with me.

"You scoundrel!" I slumped onto my knees against his chest, giggling. "That was planned."

"That's just not my style." He purred and played with my black strand.

His gaze became more and more passionate. When I realized why, I wasn't surprised anymore. He had my laces undone so he had a clear view of my chest. My face immediately turned red...

But Avan was undeterred. He pulled me onto the bed next to him and pulled my skirts off my hips. Without further ado, he grabbed the hem of his white pirate-style shirt and yanked it from his body. Watching his muscles tense and stretch as he removed his black pants as well, my mind went completely blank.

All of a sudden, I didn't care about the time, the circumstances, or just about anything that wasn't related to this gorgeous man. Who leaned on one knee next to me to tear my dress from suffering with both hands. My gaze was directed to his crotch... I had never seen anything like that before. I once read what men have. But I could never imagine what that would look like. Now.

"If you only knew how long I've been waiting for this." He growled as he came back up to me with soft kisses on my hips.

While his hands were suddenly everywhere, sounds came out of my throat that I had never heard before. Again and again I reached out to him and to be honest I couldn't wait until this new exciting kind of desire would finally be satisfied.

Where I had just felt his hand, I now felt his hip pressing against mine. It was so strange and exciting. I flinched once, but other than that, it was surprisingly good. Avan grunted harshly and kissed me.

His shoulder muscles flexed under my fingers, his hips under my thighs. His hands on my chest. When I felt like I was going to be light as a feather, my abdomen just about exploded...

Avan gasped and bowed his head to me. With one last movement his body stiffened. Then there was silence.

He fell onto the bed next to me with his eyes closed, sucking air through his nose. I was no different. I had done almost nothing, but I was still exhausted. So this is how you consummate a marriage?

Avan's strong arm rested on my stomach. "Push me as often as you want, Bea."

Honestly relieved, I just started laughing. Why was I so nervous!? Avan lifted his head and smiled confused at my reaction.

"I'll take that as a yes."

While it was new how close Avan was to me, I enjoyed it. To be honest I had waited a long time for him to bring me to his castle. Even if it wasn't the best of circumstances, he still seemed to mean well by me.

Avan got to his feet with a sigh and got dressed again. "You should get dressed too. They'll come for the sheet soon."

"The sheet?"

Avan nodded with a smile. "Proof of our execution."

My face glowed again. I got into the black pants and tight white shirt. Avan was watching me.

"Let's go?"

"And the sheet?"

"None of our business anymore." Avan gave a nonchalant shrug and took my hand. He smiled. "Now let's go home."