At that moment, there was a knock on the door, and Skye looked at Talisha."I haven't invited anyone else," Talisha signified. One of the maids went to open it, and a maid came in hotfoot; she was panting.Skye took a closer look at her and recognized the maid who had come out of her chamber with the buckets a few hours ago."What is it, Deidra?" Talisha asked her."Lady Fiona sent me," she answered breathlessly, "She wants to know about Lady Skye. If she's ready. They are waiting for her."Talisha's eyebrows rose. "Really? They waiting for her? That's something new."The maid nodded. "Yes, that's what told me and ordered me to come immediately."Talisha looked at Skye, who swallowed hard like she was worried about something. She approached her."What's going on, Skye? I was surprised to hear that too but you seem worried. Why?"Skye leaned closer to Talisha's ear. "Aunt Fiona is waiting for me to see me wear the dress she chose for me," she whispered."Oh! That's right. I had forgot

Skye felt that pleasant shiver run up her spine again at his touch."What's the matter? Oh, forgive me, Your Highness. I almost made such a mistake," she said, giving him a clumsy bowing in her rush, but also because Hector hadn't released her from his hold. He gently pulled her back to him. "No, no, you didn't do anything wrong. I have no intention of leaving you alone and don't want you to go back to your uncle's family either. I am considering a better companionship for you. Just give me a moment," he told her, and Skye felt a weight leave her chest. It was a fact that she didn't want to return to Fiona and Iona, but to be alone wasn't a choice, even though she would prefer it.Hector scanned through the crowd until he found what he was looking for.At one point, a girl in the background looked towards them and greeted them from afar with a wave of her hand.Hector signaled her with his hand to come closer, and the girl immediately obeyed.The closer she got to them, her blurred d

Skye felt her heart tighten with guilt as she saw Hector bow his head in humiliation- immense guilt because his behavior was chivalrous toward her.Hector had spared her the ultimate humiliation of having her dress ripped off by Iona, and it would be even worse if Iona succeeded in her purpose because Skye's scars would be revealed on her left arm.He escorted her out and found her companionship so he wouldn't leave her alone when he had to go.No, it was cruel to repay him in this way.She removed her hand from her mouth and relaxed her face to look normal. She placed her hands elegantly in front of her legs and straightened her body.The men stood side by side with severe expressions and their gazes blank.When Hector raised his head and dared to look her way, his eyes met hers, and all Skye could do to make amends was to give him a small smile – just one side of her lips lifted slightly.But that was enough to lift Hector's spirits; he put his hand over his heart, feeling it flutte

Her heart was thumping wildly. Her mind was working fast to seek a solution. She was seriously thinking of at least making a try to escape and go to the lowlands, to her village. She remembered the house of that villager who had taken care of her for the first time after the fire that destroyed her life. She couldn't remember exactly where it was, but she would know when she saw it. She would ask that woman for help. Skye wasn't aware of what that woman's fate was after all these years, was she alive? Was she dead? That woman’s image was still there in her mind, blurry, but it was there. Skye was sure that her face had no wrinkles, so she was young, and not many years had passed, close to nine, so there was hope.She had decided to run on the left side. She would meet the gardens they had encountered when they entered by carriage following the road to the castle entrance. She would go through the gardens to the great gate. Would it be open? If it wasn't, she would find a way to climb.

Skye felt a sudden chilliness strike her to the core and took a step back.What did Donncha mean by Hector being a murderer? And who had he murdered?"Damn, Donncha, stop it." Hector whispered harshly and gritted his teeth, stealing a glance at Skye, hoping she hadn't heard what his brother had said. He didn't want to find out this way. He would tell her himself when the time came."It's the truth, isn't it?" Donncha answered."You will never come back in your right mind, will you? Hector fretted. “Let me help you get up, and lay you on the bed. I will also call the doctor just to be sure.""Do not touch me!" Donncha shouted, pushing Hector's hands off of him."I'll get up myself." He turned his body to the side and rested his hand on the floor, he put strength in his hand to stand up, but his hand wasn't able to hold him in the condition he was in, and the body collapsed on the floor.On his second attempt to get up, Hector grabbed him despite his objections, carried him to the bed,