Chapter 19

SABINA

Aboloft tenderly wiped my tears away with his thumbs, then brushed his lips against mine. His gaze was so intense, it made my heart flutter and my body heat up. I’d never seen such depth in his dark eyes before.

“Come, I want to show you something.” Without waiting for my response, he gently took my hand and led me out of the room.

As we stepped out, I gasped. This was my first real chance to take in the castle. The walls were adorned with paintings, and ornate candlesticks sat on beautifully crafted furniture. I wanted to express my awe, but I held my tongue.

“Do you like the castle?” Aboloft asked, a smile playing on his lips.

“Yes, it’s beautiful. I can’t believe you’ve lived here your whole life,” I replied.

He’d grown up surrounded by wealth and beauty, while I’d known only meager meals and no luxuries. Yet, Aboloft had given me silk and jewels. Accepting his gifts was difficult.

“I did, Bina, you know that. I was born here, and I grew up here. And now you’re going to share all this with me.” He gestured at our lavish surroundings.

“No, I can’t. This is yours. I can’t take this. It belongs to you. You’re the rightful owner,” I responded. I could never accept something that wasn’t rightfully mine.

“You’re right, all this belongs to me. And since it’s mine, it’s my choice if I choose to share it with anyone or not. And I choose to share my home with you,” he stated.

“No, Aboloft, you don’t understand. You’ve always given me gifts. You brought me flowers, gave me your time, made me smile—that was the biggest gift you could give me. I don’t want this. This is too much,” I told him.

Aboloft held my shoulders. “That was nothing, Bluebell. Those flowers, they were nothing. You gave me much more. The time you spent with me when no one else would—that was the greatest gift you could ever give me.

“And in return, I want to give you everything. I want to give everything to the one woman who gave me happiness when no one else could,” he replied.

“I hurt you. I lied to you. I’m not worthy of these jewels or these beautiful dresses.” It felt like I was living a dream, a dream where I was a princess and Aboloft was my prince, coming to rescue me.

“So? I hurt you as well. We’re on equal ground, Bina. And I’m only going to say this once, and if you don’t listen, then you’ll be in trouble.

“You’re worth more than my entire wealth. You’re priceless. The things in this world can’t compare to you.

“So, stop saying you’re not worth it. I won’t tolerate it anymore. If you say something like this again, then I’ll seal your lips shut.” He looked angry.

Fear sprouted in my heart at his words. He threatened to seal my lips if I spoke the truth again.

Why did he say he wouldn’t cause me any more pain, and now he was telling me that he would rob me of my ability to speak?

“Why would you do that after you promised me you won’t hurt me anymore?” I asked him.

“When did I say I would hurt you, my sweet?”

“Just now, you said you would seal my lips,” I answered.

His hands moved from my shoulders to cup my cheeks. “My beautiful goddess, when I said that, I meant that I would seal your lips by kissing you until you forget all this nonsense,” he stated.

“Oh, forgive me for misunderstanding you.” I stepped back a little, causing his hands to fall from my face.

“I will change this, Bina. Wilsden wasn’t kind to you, and I will change that. I will change you.” Without another word or explanation, Aboloft once again took my hand and we continued walking.

I didn’t question him, I just kept walking and admiring the stained-glass windows and beautiful sculptures.

The castle seemed to have been crafted by the most skillful hands. There was beauty in every nook and cranny.

Since it was my first time seeing the castle from the inside, I wanted to soak it all in. I wanted to memorize everything my eyes landed on.

Who knew if this would be the last time I’d get to wander around this magnificent castle?

But soon, the opulence of the castle gave way to the beauty of nature.

I thought I’d seen it all inside, but seeing the sun showering its golden rays on the grass, making it look even greener, I was stunned.

The colors of the flowers were more vibrant. The butterflies fluttering around were like tiny fairies.

“This is beautiful, Aboloft.” And yet another gift he bestowed upon me. The wonderful gift of nature.

“Nothing compares to the beauty that is my Bina,” he said.

“Don’t say that. Please don’t say that,” I said softly. My back was scarred, my soul was ugly, and this king was comparing me to beauty. He must be blind.

“You remember the warning I gave you?”

It was a threat, I could tell, and yet I couldn’t stop saying those words. Aboloft was being too sweet. He was always sweet, the most caring person ever; but I couldn’t handle it, I wasn’t used to it.

“If you don’t say such things, then I won’t have to say the things that make you angry,” I stated.

Aboloft chuckled. “I knew my Bina was hidden in there somewhere. I’ll just have to find her and bring her out. You’re arguing with me, just like you used to do, eight years ago. This gives me hope.”

His words brought tears to my eyes. We always argued, and whenever Aboloft would win, I would pretend to be angry and wouldn’t talk to him. Then he would do whatever it took to make me smile again.

Aboloft wouldn’t let me leave until I was laughing. But our last fight had put an end to everything—we were over.

I never gave Aboloft the chance to make me smile. I could deny it all I wanted, but life would’ve been better if I hadn’t walked away from him.

“I’ve changed, Aboloft,” I said.

“You have. But I’ll bring my Bina back. That’s a promise.” He was sincere, I could tell. “Come, I have something special to show you.”

Aboloft led me further from the castle. We walked in silence, the sounds of nature our only company.

We passed several gardens, some dedicated to specific types of flowers, others filled with trees and various plants.

Finally, we stopped in front of a garden dedicated to a single type of flower. Seeing which one, tears welled up in my eyes. Bluebells.

The entire garden was filled with them. The color blue stretched as far as the eye could see. The garden was breathtaking, and it broke my heart.

“Aboloft.” My breath hitched as I took in the flowers, blooming proudly, their beauty on display for anyone lucky enough to see them. I didn’t know what to say or do. I was spellbound.

“Do you like it?” he asked, wrapping his arms around me from behind.

“H-how?” I could barely speak, choked up with emotion. This was my dream—a garden filled only with bluebells. And here it was, my dream come true. Aboloft had made it happen.

“The day you told me about your favorite flower, I came home and told my father I wanted a garden filled only with bluebells. He agreed, and since then, I’ve taken care of this garden myself.

“When you left me, this garden was the only thing that kept me sane. I saw you in these flowers. Every single bud had your face, your smile.

“This garden is the only reason I survived eight years without you,” he confessed.

“Wh-why didn’t you tell me?” I asked, tears streaming down my face.

“I promised myself I’d only show you this garden when you came to live with me,” he replied.

“I always wanted a garden of bluebells,” I said.

“I know, my beautiful goddess.” Aboloft kissed my cheek. “And now, this garden is yours. You can come here whenever you want.

“I know bluebells make you happy, and that’s why I want you to come here whenever you’re feeling sad or worried. Because these flowers make you happy.”

“You make me happy.” The words slipped out before I could stop them. I turned to face the king who now ruled my heart and buried my face in his chest. “You make me so happy.”

“And you make me happy, Bina. You make me so happy.” Aboloft held me tight, and I’d never felt safer. He was my sanctuary, my safe haven. He was the man I loved with all my heart and soul.

“Come, I want you to see and touch the flowers.” Aboloft wiped my tears away before leading me to the center of the garden, where I was surrounded by the most beautiful flowers I’d ever seen.

Bluebells were everywhere. There wasn’t a single empty patch in the garden. Everywhere I looked, I saw blue flowers swaying gently in the breeze.

It was a sight to behold. I could’ve stayed there forever, but I knew that wasn’t possible.

“Your queen finally arrived, Aboloft?”

I turned to see King Bancroft approaching. He wore a soft smile. When had he arrived?

As I started to kneel in respect, Aboloft stopped me. “No, you will not kneel before any man. I forbid it,” he ordered.

I was torn. I knew I should kneel before a king, but here was Aboloft, a king himself, stopping me.

“But he’s a king,” I protested.

“It doesn’t matter. You are not to kneel before any man, understood?”

~Yes, my lord!~ That’s what I wanted to say. Eight years had passed, but Aboloft was still as demanding as ever.

People would be sentenced to a painful death if they didn’t obey his orders. And now he was ordering me again, which made me angry.

“Yes, please tell her not to kneel before me. She’s a queen, not a slave,” Bancroft agreed with his friend.

I really needed to ask Aboloft how he knew the king. Bancroft was truly unique. There was no one like him.

“Don’t worry. It’ll take some time, but I’ll get through to her. My beautiful goddess has been through a lot, so it’ll take some time to make her the queen she was meant to be,” Aboloft said.

“I look forward to that day,” Bancroft replied.

Why were they talking about me like I wasn’t there? I was standing right next to Aboloft, and he was talking about me like I was a child he planned to change.

Did he not realize it wasn’t that easy? It wasn’t easy for me to believe his words then, so how could he expect me to believe them now?

“Why do you keep calling me a queen, Aboloft?” I asked, trying to keep my voice down so Bancroft wouldn’t hear.

“He’s just telling the truth, Sabina,” Bancroft answered. I cursed under my breath for not being quiet enough.

“Yes, the truth she refuses to believe,” Aboloft added, sounding frustrated.

“Can you not talk about me like I’m not here?” I glared at Aboloft.

Aboloft’s fingers brushed my cheek, his eyes gleaming with a peculiar light. “What if I don’t stop, Bluebell?”

~What would I do? What could I do? Nothing.~

I didn’t respond. Instead, I decided to distance myself from these men. These kings held too much power, and provoking them would be a grave error.

I wasn’t sure where my anger was stemming from, but I didn’t appreciate Aboloft discussing me as if I wasn’t present.

However, before I could make my exit, Aboloft seized my arm, pulling me back. “Where are you off to, Bluebell?” he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

“Release me. I’m weary and need to rest,” I declared.

“You slept soundly last night. You’re not tired. If you were, I would’ve noticed,” he retorted.

“You believe you know everything, but you don’t!”

~Quiet, Sabina. He’s a king! Don’t disrespect him in front of another king!~

I should’ve held my tongue, but Aboloft was behaving just like he did eight years ago.

He knew how to get under my skin. He knew how to rile me up. This was one aspect of him I never cared for, and had things been different between us, I would’ve told him so.

“I just want to return to my room,” I said, disregarding King Bancroft. I couldn’t help but wonder what he thought of me now, witnessing me disrespect his friend.

“You’ll return when I decide it’s time for you to return.” Aboloft drew me closer, his lips hovering near my ear. “I know I promised you wouldn’t have to kneel before anyone again, but you will kneel for me.

“You will kneel for ~your~ king.” He punctuated his words with a possessive kiss.