Chapter 141: A Blind Man’s Daylight

For the past couple of months Lauren had known Alec, she learned things about him. One of them was that he might be cruel and aloof, but he wasn’t a bad person or someone as despicable as the rumors said. His ways might be twisted and unconventional, but he does not kill for pleasure. He always did things with a purpose. And she knew that if there was someone in Evardin who was the most suitable to rule the kingdom, it was him.

And she wasn’t planning to ruin his reign.

Apart from seeking justice for her mother’s death, one of the reasons why she was so hellbent on destroying the royal family was because she knew her father was not deserving of the crown. He had done so many evil things to innocent people. He tolerated the high society’s abuse of power all while being worshipped by the lower caste. Lauren hated it so she wanted to ruin her father at all cost.

Now that she could see Alec was handling the king’s power well enough, she felt like it was only right for her to leave the kingdom to him.

But there was no way she could sit beside his throne forever. No matter if she wanted it, once she stayed and the Supreme House learned about her condition, they would not let it slide. The rulers of the kingdom should not be someone whose identity had something to do with forbidden sorcery. It was the unbreakable law of monarchs.

Alec could be condemned for it. He would lose everything for someone who was about to perish in the world. So why would she risk it?

"I don’t know how courtship works," Alec said and gave back her plate. The steak was cut into pieces now. "But if you insist, I shall court you however you please," his words came smooth and he sounded unforced as if he was truly willing to do it because she told him to.

"By the way, I have sent an invitation to the Haystone’s mansion about you inviting Jennifer to live in the castle for two weeks as a potential concubine," Lauren said which brought back Alec’s hard expression. She could see he didn’t want them to talk about it. "I just informed you since Jennifer might arrive tomorrow. I told in the letter that she could think about it for a day or two, but I doubt if it would take her a minute to decide."

The woman literally tried to kill her just for a man. She was spoon-feeding her with what she wanted, so why would she think twice?

"You know what, this would be a lot easier if we just abduct that woman and torture her until she spills everything she knows. Jennifer is one of those noble ladies who doesn’t have to lift a finger to live. She cannot stand painful torture and will likely give in," Alec said as if it was the best idea for him. Bringing another woman into the equation sounded more like a problem. Besides, he wasn’t sure if he could stomach the sight of someone who tried to harm a person dear to him. It would take ample patience for sure.

"Of course, that is easier if we only aim to know what Jennifer knows," Lauren shook her head in dismay. Alec was missing her point. "But once those people know that Jennifer is missing and might be in our hands, they would surely cut their connections with Jennifer. But if we use her to lure them, we might catch those other people working with the rebels. More leads, more chances of finding who the mastermind is."

"Are you really comfortable with another woman around me?" Alec narrowed his eyes, weighing Lauren’s expression. "You don’t feel even the slightest bit of fear that I might like her?"

Lauren’s face turned cold. "Why? Do you think you will like her?" Her own question sent a burning sensation in her stomach.

She was aware that people’s feelings might change anytime. But the thought of Alec liking someone else over her was like a punch in her gut.

But that should be good news, right? If he was capable of loving another woman, she would not feel too bad when it was time for her to leave.

"If you are planning on liking someone else, I prefer it not to be Jennifer Haystone."

Alec’s brows furrowed. He was getting annoyed. "How can you say that so coldly? You just told me to court you and now we are back to talking about me with another woman?" He scoffed in disbelief. "If you can do that, don’t expect me to do the same. I can never watch you with someone else. I won’t let you," his last words seemed like a threat because of how dark he looked, but it sounded like a promise.

As she stared at him for a long minute, Lauren’s lips slowly curved into a smile. Then a soft chuckle escaped her lips.

She being with someone else just sounds impossible. How could she when she had grown accustomed to Alec being her other half? He was the first man to touch her soul, not just her body. She would always be reminded of him wherever she would go. The warmth his presence emitted, his dark yet soothing touches, his breathing on her skin... all of them had become part of her.

She could be falling for him deeply for all she knew... but she didn’t bother analyzing her feelings. It didn’t matter.

"We should just stop talking," Lauren rose from her seat and walked towards Alec.

His lips parted when she suddenly sat on his lap and put her hands around his nape. She breathed against his lips and he smelled the sweet scent of wine from her mouth.

Lauren felt her heart shudder as she stared into Alec’s gray orbs which were now in its darkest shade. Desire was gleaming in his eyes but it was overshadowed by raw admiration.

Alec’s adam’s apple moved as he swallowed gently. As he stared at her longer, he felt like a blind man caged in the darkness for decades who witnessed daylight for the first time.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read