Keeping The Royal Treaty CHAPTER 13

“What exactly did your father tell you?” Vince ask.

“That he was proud of me for making it this far,” I answer. “He never really cared about me. He was relieved that everything turned out the way he wanted. I am married to you, and he gets to keep his part of the treaty. I guess it’s the same way for you. Your father must have forced you into this. They don’t care about anything, even their own family, as long as they have power.”

Vince remains silent. After what happened at the library, Vince escorted me back to my room and waited until I calmed down. And now, there is the awkward silence lingering around us. At least that’s how I feel. Vince is sitting on the edge of the bed while I rest my head on the bed rest and my arms around my knees.

“Vince?”

“Hm?” he responds.

“Remember when I told you that I have my reasons why I agreed to this marriage? It was all a lie. The truth is, I know nothing about my father. I left my hometown when I was really young. Well, after my mother was murdered. If it wasn’t for my mom, I wouldn’t do this. I  don’t know what she saw in my father, but she loved him. And for the same reason, I trusted my father, and I love him. But tonight, he proved me how wrong I was.”

“And why are you telling me this?” Vince ask.

I unwrap my arms and slowly rest my feet on the floor while I sit beside him and rest my head on his shoulder. 

“If I remember correctly, you told me my father was a powerful man, and you wanted to ‘negotiate’ with him. I don’t understand why it’s so important for you to do that, but I know you have your reasons. I am willing to help you. Whatever you need.” I said.

“Help me?” he taunts. “What. Did. Your. Father. Tell. You?”

“Believe whatever you want. I’d rather stay on your good side and help you achieve whatever you want. We can’t be both miserable in this marriage. At least one of us gets to benefit from this. I am sick and tired of this. There is nothing for me, Vince.”

Vince turns his body so he is facing me. He lifts his hand and rests it on my cheek, and I let him. “What I believe, is that you are your father’s priced possession. But since you’ve offered your help, I won’t decline it.”

He pushed me on the bed, and I am now beneath him. Both arms caged me in-between, and he slowly lowered his head until his lips touched mine. I am trying to control every inch of my body and not push him away and curse at him. Instead, I let his hands, lips, and his entire body touch me. 

My breathing gets heavier when the cold air touches my skin. Everything feels electrifying and arousing. The way his hands caress my skin as he undresses me. His lips kissed my bare chest. He pulls my pants off and tosses them on the floor, and I know … that this is the consequence of what I am about to do. 

Just like before, I have my legs open and his body between them. “Relax,” he whispers. 

His fingers traveled down my arse and found their way to my opening. I whimpered when I felt his finger pushes in. “Relax,” he whispers again.

__________

I can hear a buzzing noise, and it is interrupting my slumber. I shut my eyes tighter, trying to ignore whatever that’s making that noise. 

“Why is he still asleep? What did you do to him? You didn’t hurt the boy, did you?” the voice asks. 

“That is none of your concern. Why are you here?” Vince counters. 

“Making SURE you didn’t hurt him,” Lucien said.

I opened my eyes and was greeted with a blinding light. I slowly sat up and opened my eyes again. Through the window, the sun is high up in the sky. It must be noon or something. I felt a sharp stinging pain in my lower back, and memories of last night came crashing on me. He was a beast, and I told him it was my first time. Vince is far bulkier than I am, so it took me a lot for him to fit in. 

I gather whatever strength is left in me and push my way into the bathroom, ignoring the stinging pain on my lower half. I was able to hang on to the counter, and what I saw is frightening. I can see my reflection in the mirror. My neck and chest are covered in bruises. I didn’t let my eyes wander down past my waist, afraid to see if Vince left any kissing marks on them.

I can’t also ignore the warm liquid oozing between my legs. 

“Do you like my work of art,” Vince said, leaning on the door.

“I would appreciate it if you never left any marks on me. I do not like it,” I respond. 

“Well, I’m glad to hear there will be a next time,” he smirks.

“That’s not what I meant!” I said.

He lifts both his arms up in surrender while he makes his way towards me. “I think it’s beautiful. My red marks against your porcelain skin,” he replied. “Come, I’ll help you wash up. Especially your inside, I can see it coming out.”

“No, I’m okay. I don’t need your help, thank you.” Just hearing my voice makes me throw up. If I want to be on his good side, I need to act as if I submit. I know that trust doesn’t build up overnight, but I am willing to wait. I think I finally understand what Hans was trying to tell me all along, and Vince is testing me. 

“I insist, come.” Vince’s expression changes. He is not asking but ordering me. I am not going to give up. I know he despises me, and I know he is not enjoying this as well. 

Vince turns on the shower, and I step in. “Turn around,” he demands, and I did. 

His hands spread my arse, and I feel his bulge in between. “I’m sore, Vince. Please, I’m really sore.”

As if he didn’t hear anything, he thrust in, and I can’t help but curse. 

__________

“What’s wrong, Francis? Are you not hungry? You haven’t touched your food,” Lucien chirps.

“Nothing, just tired is all. I had a long night, and I’m not really hungry,” I reply. I scooped a spoonful of my soup and swallowed it forcefully. I am currently having lunch with the Donovan family. It would be nice if Vince told me beforehand that his family is joining us for lunch. But no, he thinks that I do not matter and that it is not worth mentioning. 

“I don’t blame you. It was indeed a long night. I’m sorry you have to go through that,” Lucien said.

“You made the right choice, Francis. It is difficult, It is difficult, but sometimes we have to make choices even if it hurts us. I understand that your father was the only one left in your family, but now you have us,” her mother interrupts. 

“And who are we to judge what is right and wrong? I do blame him for some-“ 

“We know what is right because we know better. We are better,” she interjects, cutting me off. 

“I think I know what you need,” Lucien said, changing the subject. “You need some fresh air. You are welcome to tag along with me if you’d like. I think you’d enjoy Greece. If not, you are welcome in Switzerland as well. I heard you’ve been cooped up in this house for a long time.”

Deep laughter reverberates in the room. Vince has a smirk on his face as if Lucien just made a joke. 

“Do you have something to say, brother?” Lucien asks.

“Yes, I do. It’s been ages since you’ve joined us for a meal. Obviously, there is something you are not telling us, and I’m going to ask you one last time. Why are you here?” Vince said. 

Lucien let out a gasp and put his hand on his chest. “Oh my, dear brother. I am deeply wounded. I came to see my family,” he says sarcastically. 

“Watch your mouth, boy,” his father intervenes. “If you don’t have anything better to say, leave the table.”

“Gladly,” Lucien responds. “Oh, and by the way Francis, Adeline said you better go visit her. She’s got something to show you,” he told me before he completely left the table. 

I can’t believe he has the guts to speak to his family like that, especially with their father in front of them. The Donovan is well respected, and people will be surprised if they witness this. I guess everything is just for show. Frankly, I do not know how much more I can handle with these people. 

Their mother, who I don’t know the name nor will I intend to ask, clears her throat. “We met in a . . . inconvenient situation yesterday. If you’d give me a chance, I would like to know you more, Francis. Now that we are family,” she said. 

I’m still trying to comprehend why they suddenly changed, and they magically want to be acquainted with me. It had to do something about my 20th birthday. Father warned me about it. I don’t know if I’m overthinking things right now. I can’t distinguish if one is genuine or not anymore. There is no one I can trust, and I don’t even trust myself. Maybe, this is their plan. They are trying to manipulate me to turn me against my father.

“Francis.” 

“Huh?” I look at Vince and his eyebrows knit in curiosity. “Excuse me. I – I need to go to the bathroom. I must have eaten something to upset my stomach,” I said, standing up. 

Vince also excused himself and went beside me. “Come,” he said. I followed him out of the dining room, and I immediately stopped when I saw where we are heading, back in my room.

“Vince, I’m tired. I can’t anymore.” 

“I don’t know what you mean. You said you ate something that must have upset your stomach, so I am taking you back to your room so you could rest,” he said.

“Oh, uhm -“

“You think that I am taking you back to your room so I can fuck you,” he said.

“No, of course not. I – I think Lucien was right. I need some fresh air. I need to step out for a bit. Besides, Lucien said Adeline has something to show me.”

“If I hear you say his name once more, I will take you back to your room, and I don’t care if you complain about your sore body. You know what is going to happen.”

This is madness. As Vince was about to open his mouth again, I wrapped my hand around his neck and pulled him down until my mouth was touching his. He immediately responds. I let him do whatever he wants. This is what he wanted, dominance. His hand caressed my back and places that made me quiver. 

It felt ages until he finally lets go of me. I am breathing heavily and gasping for air. “Keep me out of whatever you and your brother are dealing with. I told you, I want to be on your good side,” I whisper between breaths.

“Hm. Since when have you become so bold? But you’re right. This is none of your concern,” he replies. 

“Good. I’m going to see Adeline.” Once I stepped outside, my emotions got the best of me. I am disgusted and ashamed of my actions. Why am I supposed to be the one submitting?

Every inch of me that he touched is sickening. Why did I give in last night? Even my father knows I let him do whatever he wants with me. I hunched over the ground feeling a wave of nauseous coming.

“Are you okay?” ask a stranger, kneeling beside me.

I looked at him and pushed him away from me. “Who are you?” 

“Nolan. Well, you know my father, Hans?”

_________

 Dear readers, 

I like to remind everybody that this is a fictional story – created from imagination. In real life, I do not tolerate violence. In my head, I view every character as an actor. Please do understand, and thank you.