CHAPTER FORTY SIX
The sun was shining brightly on the bustling town of Alexandria, as Liam and his entourage rode through the dusty streets. People paused in their activities to catch a glimpse of the royal procession, their faces filled with respect and admiration. Liam, however, had more pressing matters on his mind. He had been searching for Alyssa ever since she had betrayed him, and the sight of her was enough to ignite a seething anger within him.
As they made their way closer to the palace, Liam’s eyes scanned the crowd, searching for any sign of her. His heart pounded in his chest, the anticipation of finally confronting her threatening to consume him. And then, there she was. Alyssa emerged from the crowd, her presence commanding attention.
Ryan, who had been riding alongside Liam, noticed his sudden change in demeanor. He leaned closer and whispered, “My Lord, I believe we have found her. Shall I call for her arrest?”Content held by NôvelDrama.Org.
Liam clenched his jaw, his betrayal still fresh in his memory. No, he had other plans for her. “No, Ryan. Let her come to me. I want to see the fear in her eyes as she realizes her fate.”
As the procession neared the palace grounds, Alyssa stepped forward, her gaze fixated on Liam. Her face displayed a mixture of surprise and nervousness, but her resolve remained steadfast. She had known this confrontation was inevitable, and she would not back down.
Liam dismounted his horse, his entourage following suit. The tension in the air was palpable as he strode towards her, his eyes burning with anger. Alyssa stood her ground, her head held high, refusing to cower in his presence.
Without a word, Liam extended his hand, demanding an explanation. Alyssa, her voice steady but laced with regret, spoke, “Liam, I know you are angry with me, and rightfully so. But please understand, I did what I thought was best for our people.”
Liam’s grip tightened on her arm, his voice seething with resentment. “Best for our people? How dare you betray me? You knew the consequences of your actions, and yet you chose to defy me.”
Alyssa winced, the pain evident in her eyes. “I loved you, Liam. I still do. But we cannot ignore the suffering of our people. They needed someone to stand up for them, and I could not turn my back on them.”
Liam pulled away from her, his voice choked with bitterness. “You should have come to me, Alyssa. We were supposed to be partners, united in our mission to protect and lead our kingdom. Instead, you chose to go behind my back.”
She reached out to him, her voice filled with desperation. “I did what I thought was right, Liam. I thought you would understand.”
Liam turned away, unable to bear the disappointment in her eyes. “Understanding doesn’t excuse betrayal, Alyssa. You made a choice, and now you must face the consequences.”
As the words hung in the air, Liam’s entourage started to close in around them, ready to carry out his orders. But before they could intervene, a voice called out from the crowd, interrupting the tense standoff.
“Alyssa! Liam! Please, let us not resort to violence. We must find a way to reconcile.”
Alyssa’s father, who had been watching the scene unfold, had finally gathered the courage to speak up. His long-standing loyalty to Liam had prompted him to stay by his side, despite the pain of witnessing his daughter’s betrayal.
Liam turned his gaze towards him, a mixture of surprise and disappointment in his eyes. “And what do you suggest, Scribe? How can we reconcile when the trust has been broken?”
Alyssa’s father stepped forward, his voice firm but filled with compassion. “We rebuild the trust, my Lord. Together, we can heal the wounds and work towards a stronger kingdom. Alyssa made a choice, and she is willing to face the consequences. But she is still your daughter, and forgiveness is the path to redemption.”
Liam’s cold expression softened for a moment as he considered his words. Alyssa watched him earnestly, hopeful for a chance at forgiveness. The air was heavy with anticipation, as everyone held their breath, waiting for Liam’s response.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Liam nodded, his voice carrying a hint of reluctance. “Very well. But know this, Alyssa. Rebuilding the trust will not be an easy task. We have much work to do, and there will be no room for further betrayal.”
As Liam’s men came to a halt, he quickly pivoted his head to scan the area behind him. His eyes narrowed as he realized she had vanished from his sight once again. Ryan, his brother and right-hand man, quirked an eyebrow and approached him.
“What’s the issue, Liam?” Ryan asked, his voice laced with concern.
Liam took a deep breath, his mind racing. “I saw her, Ryan. I’m certain it was her.”
Ryan frowned, disbelief etched on his face. “It couldn’t be her, Liam. You know she wouldn’t come back here.”
Liam’s jaw clenched, his eyes glimmering with determination. “I know what I saw, Ryan. She’s hiding somewhere around here.”
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Liam discreetly motioned two of his guards over to his side. With slight gestures, he ordered them to keep watch and report back to him the moment they laid eyes on her. He had to see her, speak to her, and confront her about the pain she had caused him all those years ago.
Meanwhile, Alyssa stood frozen, her heart pounding in her chest as she caught sight of Liam. It had been so long since she had last seen him, yet the memory of their painful parting was still etched in her mind. She knew she had hurt him deeply, and the thought of facing his wrath terrified her.
Hiding herself amongst the crowd, Alyssa watched Liam intently, her gaze never leaving his figure. She couldn’t help but feel a sense of longing, a desire to be near him once more. Yet, the fear of rejection held her captive.
Alyssa shuffled nervously, her instincts screaming at her that she was being watched. She couldn’t shake off the feeling that she was being observed from the shadows. Her mind whirled with possibilities, but before she could gather her thoughts, a warm presence enveloped her.
Turning around, Alyssa found herself face to face with a person so perfect it seemed unreal. Dark, mesmerizing eyes met hers, and a genuine smile graced their lips.
“Welcome home,” the person said, their voice gentle and soothing, as if they had known her for years.
Alyssa felt her heart skip a beat, her gaze locked onto the stranger’s. There was something oddly familiar about this person, an aura that tugged at her memories. But she couldn’t quite place it.
“Thank you,” Alyssa managed to reply, her voice barely above a whisper. Questions swirled in her mind, but she dared not voice them. She had a feeling that the answers would bring about more complexities in an already tangled web.
The stranger chuckled, their light laughter washing over her like a cool breeze. “No need to thank me. It’s been too long since this place knew your presence.”
Alyssa’s eyes widened in surprise, her thoughts racing to comprehend the stranger’s words. Could it be? Had she stumbled upon someone who knew her secret? Or was it merely a coincidence, a kind-hearted soul who welcomed any weary traveler?
Before Alyssa could decipher the situation further, the stranger extended their hand towards her. “Come, let me show you around. This place has changed since you’ve been gone.”
A mixture of curiosity and caution coursed through Alyssa’s veins, but the pull of the stranger’s offer was undeniable.