Chapter l285

Chapter 0285

“It’s simply difficult to talk about,” I said as an excuse. It wasn’t a lie. Answering the King’s demand about Terry was difficult, though not entirely for the reasons he might have thought.

His mouth pressed into a hard line. I couldn’t tell if he believed me or not. “Do the best you

can.’

I

I took one last moment in a lengthy inhale, gathering my thoughts. Then I started speaking.

I mentioned everything that had happened with Terry and me, all while talking around the existence of my sister. I even included the time Terry had sl*pped something into my champagne and tried to take advantage of me, though I needed a breather after that one.

The King listened quietly as I explained Julian’s suspicions that Terry had been working for the underground organization, which led to our exploration of the tunnels. And the confirmation of Terry’s involvement, by reaching the room with the cages.

“This tunnel is still there?” the King said, suddenly on alert.

“Nicholas demanded it be sealed, Your Majesty. To my knowledge, it is still so.”

The King relaxed marginally. “I will ask him about it. Continue.”

I continued on, talking about the latest event and Terry’s unwelcome flirtations. I told him about the letter we found, and ended with my near assault and timely rescue.

The King

King listened quietly until I finished. Then, he crossed his arms. “That is all?”

“As of now, Your Majesty.”

The King paused a moment, as if collecting his thoughts. Then he said, “You are withholding

the full truth.”

My breath caught in my throat, but I didn’t dare argue with the King – especially when that argument would be based on a lie..

In truth, I was keeping things from him. Big things. Like everything to do with my sister.

“Terry is a flirtatious sort,” the King said. “He always has, but this feels like something more. He’s practically obsessed with you.

The King shook his head. “Terry’s tastes are fleeting. A woman rarely holds his interest for more than a single event, and even then I would question it. But you are saying he continues to hunt you down.”

I swallowed down the rising lump in my throat. Did he not believe me that his brother-in- law could be so terrible? “I assure you, he has done these things, Sir.”

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The King lifted his hand and waved away my concerns. “I did not mean to imply otherwise,” he said. “What I don’t understand is why he would feel this attraction towards you. You are a pretty enough girl, but no striking beauty. And your blood makes you common, with no rare breeding.”

I grit my teeth. While I wanted to explain to the King that Terry’s behavior did not need. reason, I dared not speak against the King. Not if I wanted to stay in the competition. So I pushed down my growing outrage and let him continue uninterrupted.

“You are not wealthy. You have no great influence. You don’t even have a wolf. No, as far as anyone can tell, you are utterly insignificant.” Tilting his head, the King looked at me like I was a puzzle with missing pieces. “So why would my brother-in-law take such a relentless fascination with you?”

The truth, I knew, was his obsession with wanting to possess me as he had his sister.

I couldn’t say that, so I didn’t say anything.

The King rounded the couch and came closer to me. “I don’t like when secrets are kept from me, Piper. I am King. I should know all.”

“Yet you are ignorant to the ways of your own brother-in-law,” said Julian, suddenly in the

doorway.

Nathan scurried past him. “I tried to stop him, Your Majesty. I’m terribly sorry.”

The King sighed, some of his aggression sl*pping away into weariness. “It’s fine. Speak your mind, Julian. I know you will regardless. You might as well have my permission.”

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Chapter 0286