Chapter 175
Elena’s POV
Rafael pressed his body closer to mine. I could feel my nephew trembling. I looked at him. There was confusion and fear on his face.
In my ears, I could hear the whispers of the crowd so loud as they continued to fix their gazes on us. Rafael remained by my side.
Glenda’s words seemed to stay in the air.
Illegitimate.
Unfaithful.
Glenda made sure that everyone in the marketplace would hear those words. Bryson, her ex–husband, stood by the woman’s side. It was as if I were the one who had done them wrong. His mother was standing beside them, looking satisfied with what was happening.
I knew that they really planned to meet me in a place. They have successfully cornered me, but I wouldn’t give them what they desire. I may have lived in the palace now with Deacon, but I was still a warrior once.
I had faced many men twice my size with steel in their hands, and I hadn’t flinched even a little. So, why should I feel fear towards these people?
“Elena,” and that voice cut through everything. It was firm, commanding and just too impossible to
ignore.
Deacon. I just whispered inside my mind. I didn’t want these people to see that I was relieved
see him.
I didn’t want them to think that I was just brave because Deacon was around.
“Do you know who you are trying to love, Prince Deacon?” Glenda mockingly said. It was as if she were not afraid to get punished. “Do you know what she hides?”
“That’s enough, Glenda,” I snapped. “You’ve already said too much.” I tried to calm down, but I couldn’t.
I couldn’t just let them say things against me, especially if I knew the truth.
“Why don’t you let her speak? Are you afraid that something might come out about you?” Bryson’s mother snided. It was loud enough for everyone to hear. “The people deserve the truth. No man wants to be deceived, especially a prince.”
Rafael whimpered. I bent over toward him. My chest was full of anger towards these people. How could they act like that in front of a child? Rafael didn’t do anything wrong.
“Enough,” Deacon said in a firm voice.
Glenda smirked wider. It was as if she were getting the reaction that she wanted us to have.
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Chapter 175
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“Let’s go, Deacon. We’re leaving,” I tugged Rafael forward. There’s no sense staying in that place. Those people wanted to shame me, including my nephew. I couldn’t let them get their victory.
“Elena, wait,” Deacon stopped me from leaving.
I turned to him, and my heart started to pound. I didn’t want to think that the thought inside my head was right.
“What?” I hissed. I couldn’t help it. I felt that Deacon wanted me to explain my side in front of everyone. I just believed that there was no need for an explanation. No one deserved my explanation.
“Don’t you trust me? So, after all, do you believe all the lies circulating around about me?” I couldn’t help
but ask him.
His brows pulled together. It was as if he couldn’t believe what I said. And yes, it was the first time that I
had that kind of voice towards Deacon.
“Trust? Don’t you think I don’t trust you? You should know that I trust you more than anyone else, but this isn’t just about you or Rafael anymore, Elena. This is about what these people believe in.”
Those words landed like a slap to me. It hurt. My chest tightened.
I shook my head as I recovered.
“Then, you do care about what they say. So you think that all the lies that they spread matter more than the truth?” I couldn’t help but tell him directly what I felt at that moment. I didn’t expect that kind of scene with Deacon. But I couldn’t just let him think wrong about me. Of all people.
“No, that’s not what I mean. But yes, I care. I care about you and Rafael, that’s why I am tong you this. You see how the rumours spread? They are like a wildfire. Before you know it, it has already destroyed everything that we have built. Please understand that I do not see you as a weak woman. You are a warrior, Elena. A brave one, for that matter. I could never see you as a weak woman. It’s just…”
“Just what? Protect me? How many times do I have to tell you that you don’t have to?
Deacon’s jaw dropped. He didn’t expect me to answer that way. But what should I say? I didn’t want anyone to belittle me.
“I have faced these three people with courage. I didn’t fall for everyone’s lies, and yet for a quick moment, you made me feel like I stumbled.”
After hearing that, Deacon’s face softened. He felt a little bit guilty about how he treated me. He should know me better. I was not the type of woman who would easily lose in any battle, especially a battle with Glenda.
That woman had taken away a lot of things from me, so I really knew what was running through her mind. She couldn’t make me out with her plans. I was thinking three steps ahead of her.
And that was the first time that Deacon didn’t have an answer.
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“I am not something fragile, Deacon, you must know that of all people. This isn’t the type of person that could make me kneel down.” I said, as if I were trying to explain to him that he should get out of that mess. I could manage. Couldn’t he feel that?
“Because I love you,” Deacon finally said. “I don’t want to see you hurt. When you are in pain, I can feel it. I know that you have been so stressed lately because of the rumours spreading around the palace since you moved in. I am so sorry if you feel that way.”
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