Scarlett (Second Edition) by Karima Saad Usman novel Chapter 221

Chapter 73 Chapter 73: Today is a special day

Prince River

‘Silas, what the hell?”

*Am I not allowed to see my little weak brother?”

“How did you get in?…. I don’t even know why I’m asking.” I sighed. “Did you come to finish the job?”

“Job?”

“Don’t play dumb. You’re near the top of my list of people who want me dead,” I pointed out. He let out a careless chuckle.

“I imagine that’s a very long list. But I’m actually here for something else…your warrior girl…”

“Briar? Stay away from her. She’s not involved in any of this.”

“Oh, but I think she is. She’s dangerous, and you don’t even realize it,” he said, looking intrigued. He looked worried. That was new.

“What do you mean?” I asked. But we heard voices, and Hunter appeared, followed by Reed.

“There you are! See? It wasn’t such a big deal. River has always been too dramatic. You looked pretty bad a few days ago, but all you needed was a proper bath,” he said, casting a curious glance at Silas.

Reed stood silent and pale, looking awkward and nervous. It was the first time I seen him in a while, and I wondered what he had been doing.

“Do you think being shot by three arrows after days without rest or food while running through the forest is nothing?” I asked sharply, focusing on my eldest brother, who had always felt like my greatest threat.

Hunter rolled his eyes. It was clear this was a required visit arranged by my father, who loved such empty displays. They didn’t care about my well-being. If anything, they were here to see just how bad I was. Silas came to steal information. Reed looked like he wanted to be anywhere but here.

“You’re coming to the gathering Marissa is organizing, right? Everyone in the castle has worked so hard for you, even though you don’t deserve it, he

snapped.

“So this is what you do now, Hunter? Throw pointless parties instead of figuring out what is lurking in the forest?” I said,

Reed let out a low whistle. Silas clearly had the same question and watched closely.

‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Now you’re going to pretend nothing happened? Warriors died, and you can’t blame me anymore. Or tell me, who attacked me?” I asked.

“You’re getting involved where you shouldn’t, my older brother warned.

I pushed myself upright in bed. I was better, yes, but there was a deep ache inside me that had nothing to do with arrows or blood. I missed her so much that it felt like another wound in my chest.

“At some point, you’re going to have to tell the truth, Hunter,” I said, pressing a hand against my chest

9.24 am

PPP

Chapter 73 Chapter 73: Today is a special day

Please calm down, Your Highness,” one of the healers intervened.

I had been well cared for my father had been right about that. Still, I would have preferred to be somewhere else, with someone else, especially today. Today was important.

“I suggest you stay out of this, River. You haven’t been in the castle in a long time. You don’t know anything. The general and I will handle it, he growled.

“Yes, you handled it wonderfully… by shooting arrows straight into my chest in the middle of the forest, I said, accusing him.

“What are you saying?” Reed finally broke his silence and asked.

“Those arrows weren’t from specters or anything unnatural. They were elven arrows. The healers had them, and then they suddenly disappeared. You have

elves in your pocket doing your bidding, don’t you?”

Hunter slammed his hand on the nearby table, sending everything crashing to the floor. A scorched, hand-shaped mark spread across the splintered wood.

“How dare you? How can you even say that?”

“You all want me dead! All of you! You want everyone else dead, too!” I shouted.

Silas acted instantly, grabbing both our wrists. Silence fell. I quickly pulled my hand away so he couldn’t read my mind and uncover my secrets.

“This isn’t what father wants,” he said quietly. Somehow, he managed to calm us.

“You have your own secrets, too, don’t you?” I asked him.

“Ever since you arrived, secrets have multiplied. I think it benefits you more than anyone if none of us start talking,” he said. I felt like he knew about

Verbena being my mate.

“You and your prophet should stay quiet. Many things are happening that you know nothing about, little brother,” he added with a sly edge.

Hunter shot him a sidelong glance. Eventually, they left, and I stayed with the healers.

*Come on young prince. There is a party waiting for you.” They helped me wash up and get dressed. The clothes waiting for me were luxurious and bore my father’s emblem. I ripped the embroidery off. I kept only the inner shirt, a loose tunic, and soft trousers. My muscles protested, but I moved anyway.

A ridiculous party awaited me.

I moved slowly through the crowd, sipping wine and observing. I tried to avoid everyone until a voice reached me.

“You should smile, little prince. Your father has done so such for your well-being.”

“Marissa.

With that face, you won’t achieve anything.”

“It’s obvious you’ve achieved plenty with your tongue,’ I said flatly. She seemed amused.

“Your father cares deeply for you, as do I. You’ll see soon, we’ll help you reach your full potentist”

“Leave me alone,” I said, drinking wine.

C

9:24 am PPPP

Chapter 73 Chapter 73 Today in a special day

all, wishing it would all end. Then I noticed two men speaking very close together and laughing. It felt too warm, too intimate. I starpeiled my seas and recognized the voice

More laughter followed, and they disappeared into the crowd. Why was hiding all this time? He was up to something.

Interesting

The party was spiraling out of control, full of impulses where lust and madness were intertwined. This was my chance.

I ran toward the only place I truly wanted to be, one hand pressed against my heart.

My breathing was uneven as I stepped inside. I could smell her immediately. She looked quiet and almost fragile. She was awake and startled when she saw

1. But she didn’t step away.

For the first time, she didn’t retreat. That gave me a fragile hope that I desperately needed.

She shafted on the bed and knelt while I remained waiting for her to say something, anything, that would allow me to stay.

“I’m fine. Much better.”

“Briar said you weren’t receiving visitors…”

“I wanted to see you so much,” I confessed. There was no point in hiding anymore. “I needed to see you. Too many Wednesdays have passed without you.”

I took off my shirt as she watched my movements carefully.

“If you want me to leave, I will. If you want me to stay, I’ll gladly stay.”

“But the agreement… does it still stand?” she asked, worried. She still wanted to be free of me.

“The agreement will be whatever you want it to be. You have to know this, Verbena: In the forest, through all those days of fear, anguish, and despair, and hope, I thought of you. By everything sacred, I only thought of you.”

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