The Knight's Mysterious Maid-Chapter 270: Hurt (1)

River thought of Rafael’s feelings for Annalise and if Rafael at any point suspected she was the kingdom’s enemy, he would not have her stay in his manor. As far as he knew, Rafael didn’t like Annalise right away. He slowly got to know her. At least, that was what he heard from Beatrice.

As a knight, Rafael swore his loyalty to the kingdom, so he would have to capture Annalise and take her to the palace for the king to have a word with her. Then they would attempt to use her as a bargain if she was anyone important.

If Rafael knew, he would have imprisoned Annalise and not brought her along on this family trip. Unless like someone they knew, Rafael was keeping her secret.

River concluded that Rafael didn’t know or he was simply wrong about Annalise. Whatever the case was, he was going to keep an eye on Annalise from this point on. He liked what he saw from her, but his son’s safety was more important. Then there was Beatrice who took a liking to Annalise quickly and wanted to spend time with her.

River had some history of fighting at the border and doubted anyone from there would be happy to see a Callahan.

If anyone in the palace were to know they were travelling with an enemy and didn’t alert anyone about it, some would try to call them traitors. River looked at Rafael. It was like his father all over again.

Rafael peered down at his shoulder, wondering if it was the reason his father stared at him. "The wound is fine. I only need to put a fresh bandage on it after dinner. I will be eating in my room," he said.

"The same will go for the two of us. It’s been a long day so we can eat separately and then find time to be with each other tomorrow. I know the two of you might be busy tonight and tomorrow, but please let us find time together. We got to enjoy the orphanage and ball. Today was ruined, but let us end the trip on a positive note," Beatrice said.

They came on this trip to spend time at the orphanage and attend Wendy’s ball like they did every year, but this time it was also to get away from Travis and his games. Beatrice did not want to leave the trip thinking of how Travis ruined it. She was going to think of how she had a good time with her husband and son. She needed to think that way since Rafael was soon leaving.

"It is only father going to speak with Siena’s guard, and the knights are already questioning the men we have locked away here. I will be free to do anything you want," said Rafael.

Beatrice clapped her hands. "Wonderful! I look forward to you doing everything that I say tomorrow. It will keep me satisfied until your return, but must you really go to the palace? Isn’t there anyone else he can call for help?"

"No. He would not have called upon me if it were not urgent. The two of you should travel with me to Lockwood. I could have you stay in the palace. It would help me worry less about leaving you behind with that man lurking," Rafael said, looking to his father for an answer.

River didn’t want to leave town when he was getting ready for a hunt with Travis as what he was after, but Beatrice being far away from her brother was something he liked. "You should go with him, Beatrice. The palace will be safe-"

"And leave you here for you to throw yourself into danger?" Beatrice asked.

"Your brother wants three things. Rafael to marry Siena and for you to fall into his hands. With the two of you far away from him, I don’t have to worry about those two things," River answered.

"I am concerned about the third thing which is for you to be dead. Fine," Beatrice said, looking away from her husband. "I only get in your way so I will leave with Rafael. Now that this is settled, can I enjoy the last of this trip with my husband not sulking?"

River nodded his head. He didn’t mean to let his worrying trouble her.

"Finally. Now," she said, turning to Rafael now that her problem with River was fixed. "What happened to Annalise taking care of you? Please tell me that you did not scare her away."

"Why must we speak of Annalise?" Rafael asked, wanting the conversation to be about something else. He didn’t want to talk too much about the woman who was sitting naked in his bedroom, waiting for him to return.

"Because I brought her up. I hope I did not throw her into a room with a wolf. I love you, but honestly," Beatrice said, looking at Rafael from head to toe. "Maybe that wasn’t the best idea."

"What are you trying to say, mother?" Rafael asked as it certainly could not be that she thought he tried something awful with Annalise. The same Annalise who initiated what happened tonight. There was no need to be worried about Annalise being left alone with him. "Annalise is not as you think."

"She is a sweet girl. What happened today has not changed my mind. I am going to continue to stay out of your relationship-"

"Continue to stay out of our what?" Rafael asked, interrupting his mother as it couldn’t be that she thought she was no longer meddling. "What about making us ride in the carriage together?"

"I thought you would be lonely and do not try to act as if you did not enjoy your time with her. The two of you took your sweet time getting out of the carriage when we got home. I don’t know what is happening with you two. If Annalise’s feelings have changed. Whatever it is, I hope that you are not toying with her. Do not waste a woman’s time. Time is not seen the same for us," Beatrice reminded Rafael.

"I know, mother. What type of man do you think I am?" Rafael asked.

Beatrice was glad he asked this. "There was a point in time where I thought I would not be able to get you to think seriously about relationships. You’re with one woman then you go off to wherever the palace sends you, and when you return, I hear rumours of you with a different woman."

"Please stop listening to rumours, mother. I have no intention of hurting Annalise or toying with her. If she ever felt that way, believe me, the woman would try to kill me. It seems that you are fine now so I am going to the kitchen to see if dinner is ready. I am taking my leave now," Rafael said, hugging his mother first before leaving.

Beatrice wanted to lecture him more about how his future relationships should be different from his past, but she decided to drop it. She was always right here to give him a good scolding if he messed up.

"I will join him to get our dinner," River said, walking to where Rafael and Beatrice stood.

Beatrice sat down on the bed to await his return and started taking off her shoes. She did not get the chance to change into something more comfortable because she was distracted by Rafael and then her conversation with River. "I’m no fool, River. I know that you want to talk to him about something from today. Go on and have your secrets. I am going to get changed for bed."

Rafael walked out of the room with his father and waited for the door to be closed to ask, "What is it?"

"Tell me, what do you know about Annalise?" River questioned.