Richard was taken aback by what she had just said, he looked at her intensely, looking for a smirk that would indicate it was a joke, but her expression of contempt remained.

  " It cannot be.. "

  " Yet it is, this is the reality, the child growing inside of me is yours. "

  " You-you must be delirious, it's the fever that's making you say these things! "

  " That night you came to me .. "

  " No... "

  " ... you took me to bed ... "

  " No ... "

  " .. and you planted your seed inside me. "

  " LIAR! "

  Olivia straightened her back and crossed her hands on her belly. She was smiling at Richard, the plan she had been scheming for months was now complete. Feeling cheated and defeated, Richard fell down to his knees, his mind was racing as he was getting overwhelmed with a tsunami of emotions : sadness, incredulity, anger. " Why? Why would she go this far? ". He sat down on the bed with his back turned to her, he could not bring himself to look at her, a cold anger was transpiring in his voice.

  " When and how exactly did it happen? "

  The duchess smiled and slithered in her bed to get closer to him.

  " When I invited you and the little herborist eight months ago, I asked her to prepare something that could make men extremely fertile and also attracted to me. It was no small feat to pull it off as I required your blood and a sample of your hair. I got the hair the first time I invited you into my garden and I got your blood thanks to Felix who played his role perfectly from start to finish. He even managed to make it seem like the duke was attacked by a wild beast."

  " Why not the duke? "

  " My husband was unfit to do what he needed to do. Frankly speaking, I now realise that I never wanted the children to be his, but now that he is gone, you can take your rightful place by my side and together we will build a legacy. "

  " Why me? Just why ... "

  The duchess grabbed his chin with her hand and made him turn his head to look at her.

  " Because ever since I first laid eyes on you, I knew you were special. When I think about you my heart shakes like battle drums and my skin heats up as if I was under a thousand suns. Because I love you. "

  Richard stood up and smacked her hand away, he fixed his gaze on her and all she could see was blind rage.

  " This is not love! This is enslavement! "

  " You will learn to love me, you will learn to love this child. "

  " I don't feel this way, you cannot expect me to be ok with this, you are a mad woman! "

  At these words, Olivia's face lost her smile and turned into a cold stare.

  " I.am.not.mad."

  " Tricking someone into giving you a child, murdering your own husband, going through all these plans to get someone's favor and hoping they fall in love, if that's not madness I don't know what is! "

  " Are you saying you refuse to even consider it? "

  " I do. I love Isabella. "

  Olivia sat back down on her bed and remained silent.

  " Get out. "

  Without a word, Richard exited the room just as Isabella and Lucretia were coming back. As she passed him Bella paused and looked at him.

  " Are you alright? "

  " Hmm yeah, no, It's complicated, I just had a talk with Olivia. "

  " About what? Is it serious? "

  Richard looked at her and considered his options. " How can I do this to her? I can't tell her. "

  " She- she told me that the mountains where you are living, there is an invasion of wild beasts and she is sending forces to get rid of them, it will take multiple weeks. And I don't feel comfortable knowing this so I wanted to ask you if you could move to the tavern for a time "

  " But, how do I work? "

  " Me and Malik will provide you with everything you need alright? Just consider it like vacations. "

  " My trip to the forest of milivelle was already my equivalent of a vacation. "

  Richard grabbed her by the shoulders and locked eyes with her.

  " Please do this for me. "

  She had never seen him act like this before. " He seems desperate .. ". She had a slight sigh and caressed his face with her right hand.

  " Ok, if it can make you feel better, I just need to leave a note on my door. "

  " Thank you. "

  " You are cute when you get worried "

  She then laced her arms around his neck to pull him in for a kiss, while kissing her he kept his eyes open because he could feel the murderous gaze of the duchess looking at them from her bed. His eyes were fixed on hers. Richard was thinking about the best way to deal with this whole situation. " We need to leave this place before she kills us both. ". Bella broke their embrace and went back in the room to tend to Olivia.

  " I'll be done soon and then we can go home alright? "

  " Yeah .. "

  It had been a few minutes since Richard and the herborist had been escorted out of the castle. Olivia was looking at them from her balcony like a bird of prey ready to strike on her target but if she had learned one thing in her position over the years, it was patience. Felix entered the bedroom and kneeled once he had passed the door.

  " You requested to see me, milady? "

  " Yes Felix, I have two things to say to you. " She walked up to him, she took his chin in her hand to have him raise his head. " First of all I am in need of your services again, and second, I'm sorry. "

  Felix tilted his head to the side due to the surprise of the words coming from her mouth.

  " Sorry? "

  " Yes, I casted you out because I was annoyed with myself and my own weaknesses, I had forgotten that you were the one who was making me strong. "

  She made him stand up with her hand and still with her hand under his chin pulled him closer to give him a rapid but passionate kiss. She kept hugging him and whispered into his ear.

  " What do you think about breaking two people's hearts before shattering their lives to pieces? "

  He looked at her with a villainous smile. " God I missed her. "

  " It would be my pleasure. "

  The next day, after a full night of sleeping with only one eye open at Isabella's place, Richard helped her pack her vital belongings and escorted her to the tavern where Malik welcomed her with his open arm. He promised to her and Richard he wouldn't make her work and that she was free to use the rooms and to eat as much as she wanted. Once she was set in a room, Richard took Malik aside.

  " Thank you Malik for doing this for me. "

  " It's only natural, you would do the same for me and Jess, what is troubling you so much? "

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  " I can't get into details but I have reasons to believe that the duchess doesn't want us any good anymore.. "

  " What did you do? "

  " Nothing that I willingly wanted to do. All I can say is that she may send people looking for me specifically, I'm gonna take this opportunity to go to Ryzeon. "

  " And what about her? "

  " I trust you to keep her safe here, I think the duchess has more of an issue with me and if needed you can help her run away, right? "

  " Of course I can. "

  Malik pulled Richard in for a hug.

  " Take care of yourself lil bro. "

  " Don't worry, I'll come back quickly. "

  Malik patted his shoulder and went back to tend to his customers, Richard turned around and entered the room. Bella was seated on the bed brushing her hair in a simple white buttoned shirt and underwear, she turned to look at him and greeted him with a radiant smile. He leaned in to give her a kiss, she pulled him in to have him sit on the bed but he remained standing.

  " Rich, are you sure you cannot stay? "

  " No, sadly the Circadium is almost done and if I want to respect Solus's gift I need to go and get it as soon as I can, I know the roads better than the first time I went so I can use faster ones. I'll be back soon. "

  He leaned in again to give her a goodbye kiss but this time she pulled him in and made him trip onto the bed, she mounted him and pinned his hands to the side.

  " And what if I refuse to let you leave? "

  She then proceeded to slightly bite his lips with a gaze full of malice. He could not repress a chuckle at seeing her act this way, he really had missed her, she had this reserved nature on the surface but was actually quite a wild and passionate woman. He suffered her assault and tried acting as if he was not interested. Noticing, she started biting his neck and ears and sliding her hands under his shirt, caressing the shape of his abs and slowly going down. She looked him in the eyes and drowned herself into their intensity.

  " I have missed your scent, I have missed your presence... " She leaned in and whispered into his ear as she grabbed his manhood " .. and I have missed your touch. "

  " Bella I- ... "

  She cut him off by intensifying the pressure on his crotch with her hand.

  " Shhhh, I NEED this. "

  She resumed kissing his neck and was slowly sliding down to his neck and abs until she reached his pubic area. Richard huffed in frustration. " I have to go, I know that if I don't stop her right now I will never be able to. " Taking control of the situation, he sat up straight and grabbed her by the waist. He pivoted and pinned her back on the bed. He then did the same thing to her she had just done, engaging in a series of kisses until she could no longer resist and ask for more.

  " Richard please, I'm at my limit, I just want you to take me. "

  He stood back up and looked at her twisting herself in excitement like a feline in heat. " Oh may the Creator give me strength. "

  " I'm sorry Bella but I have to go now. "

  She sat on the bed with her now messy hair, she was breathing hard and her pupils were dilated.

  " You can't leave me like this please! "

  " I have to... "

  She turned on the bed and showed him her behind while stretching her back like a cat.

  " Come ooooon , just look at me. "

  " I am looking and it is starting to get really hard ... to resist. "

  She slipped her hand between her legs and started undulating with it, this vision of her movement and moans were making him almost light headed. " This woman is a literal demon! ". He approached the bed and pushed his pelvic area against her backside, she started pushing back against him, feeling the tensed leather from his pants, he reached forward to grab her jaw and bring her in for a kiss. Finally he broke their embrace and pushed her back onto the bed and started walking towards the door.

  " I'll see you in a few days Bella! "

  As he closed the door he could hear her growl of frustration resonate in the walls. While mounting on his horse he thought to himself. " I think it was the hardest choice I ever made in my whole life. " Soon after that he departed for Ryzeon.

  He arrived at the village almost a week later, the fields showered by the warm light of the sun were flourishing with ripe grapes. The children were happily running in the streets and most people had a genuine smile on their faces. The feeling of this village was completely different than the first time he entered it when it was under the zenkab menace. He directly headed for the biggest house at the end of the main avenue. He knocked on the front door of Solus's house and heard multiple footsteps inside. From within he could hear the man saying something.

  " Rahhh and the big monster is gonna catch you ahhhh! "

  His caricatural roars were followed by laughs and screams of children. The door finally opened to his wife who was smiling from ear to ear at Richard.

  " Oh my god Richard!! I'm so happy to see you, come in come in! How are you? "

  " I'm fine Iléana, how about you? "

  He came inside the home and hugged her, he then noticed that her belly was slightly swollen.

  " Well as you can see, I am with child again. "

  " Congratulations to you and Solus. "

  " Thank you, he was playing with the children but I guess you already know that since most of the village can hear them. Honeeey! Richard is here!! "

  From one of the rooms of the house, he could hear tapping sounds of the people running around, out of nowhere, a young child came running out of one of the rooms closely followed by the tall blond man with his braid undone. He finally managed to catch the child and started blowing into the little boy's neck and carrying him around. The room was filled with the child's and the dad's laugh. Finally he turned towards Richard and a smile appeared on his face.

  " Hey friend, I'll be right there with you! "

  " Sure, take your time. "

  After he gave the young boy to his wife, the two men exited the home and sat on the external terrasse.

  " So, glad to see that your female friend with the spiky face could deliver my message in time. "

  " Yes Maureen is quite efficient. "

  Solus reached for a small package in his pocket and handed it over to Richard.

  " Here, happy Circadium! "

  " Thank you, I feel a bit bad that I have nothing to offer in return. "

  " Nonsense! Getting rid of the zenkabs for us is worth thousands of gifts. Come on open it! "

  Richard slowly unfolded the package, inside of it was a small leather pouch, he opened the pouch and pulled out a blue jewel striped with gold. The jewel was approximately the size of a pebble.

  " Wow, this is .. this is magnificent, are you sure you want to give me this? "

  " Yes I am, it is the least I can do to repay you for what you did for us. Your tavern owner friend got us some good deals with the towns around and business has never been greater! A friend of mine that works in the mines of Azaglea found this and he sold it to me for a few bottles which by the way I have a new vintage of wine ready and I want you to bring it back to Ciscera and give some to your friend. "

  " Hmmm I see, giving me a gift but also using me as a walking advertisement. Ruthless businessman! "

  " Haha you figured me out, I mean can you blame me? "

  " Not after such a gift I can't. I'm sorry if I seem in a hurry but a situation is going on with my significant other and I need to head back home as soon as I can. "

  " Ohh she must be lucky to have landed such a man! Well I won't hold you much longer, I can help you load up the bottles and you can be on your merry way. "

  An hour later, Richard's horse was loaded with a dozen bottles of the new vintage of Ryzeon wine. His travel went perfectly fine as he arrived in Ciscera just a week before the beginning of summer which was marking the end of the Circadium. While on the road he had an idea of what to do with the gem, before going to the tavern he went to Senob's workshop. After attaching his horse, he entered the workshop and found Senob sharpening a sword. As always he was so absorbed in his work that he didn't notice Richard.

  " Sen'? "

  Senob got startled by the sudden voice bursting his focus bubble and almost fell off his stool, he turned around and looked at Richard furiously.

  " Don't ya fookin sneak op on mey loyke this!! "

  " Yes yes sorry Sen', I have a request. "

  " Well, so do I! "

  " What is it? "

  " I request you get the FOCK out of ma SHOP!!! "

  " Oh come on Sen'! I paid you a lot to repair my armor and I still don't have it by the way. "

  " And who's fault is it?! You fooker didn't even come get it! This shyt is takin' up spoice in ma shop! I'm not a bazaar! Not a bazaar for sure! "

  " I'm very sorry about it Sen' but listen to me, I need you to make something for me, and you know I will pay. "

  Senob was side eyeing Richard from head to toe, he took a deep breath and let out a heavy sigh.

  " Wot is it? "

  Once Richard was done with giving Senob his order, he went back to the tavern to give Malik the wine he just got. The following days went with no troubles, it was a time of peace where Isabella and Richard could relax together and walk around the city. On the last day of spring, Richard led Isabella towards the center of the city. It was night time and the moon was out. Isabella was walking behind him wondering where they were going.

  " So what is this incredible thing you want to show me so badly? "

  " You will see, it's not that far, we have some climbing to do. "

  " You realise I'm not as athletic as you right? "

  " Come on, even your tiny little arms can do this. "

  They arrived at a staircase which was leading to a cathedral with a dome, the building was surrounded by scaffoldings. Seeing this, Isabella let out a heavy sigh and pinched the space between her eyes.

  " Richard ...? "

  " Yeeess? "

  " Are we really ...? "

  " Yep. "

  " Do we have to ...? "

  " Yep. "

  " Is it worth it ...? "

  " Definitely! "

  She took a deep breath and followed him in the ascension of the scaffolding, it took the both of them around ten minutes to reach the top of the dome. Out of breath, Isabella sat down and from where they were, they had a global view of the city.

  " You know .. if you wanted .. to show me a nice view ... why didn't you just fly us or jump up there? "

  " Ahah because one, I'm not lazy and two it's always good to exercise. "

  Once she had recovered her breath she looked up and could appreciate the full moon.

  " Ok it's not that bad. "

  Richard sat down next to her and they both stood there in silence looking at the moon. Finally, he broke the silence and took a small package from his pocket.

  " So .. humm happy circadium, It's kind of a stupid gift, Malik suggested it but I had no other idea. "

  She took the package and opened it, inside of it was the most beautiful ring she had ever seen, the ring itself was made out of silver and was reflecting the moonlight. On the ring was stuck a blue jewel stripped with golden strings that was held by hands on each side of it, she was hypnotised by it as Richard kept on talking.

  " It's a stupid gift and it should not mean anything but I don't know I wanted to give you this and .. "

  " Richard I love it, it's the best gift ever. "

  " Oh it's great, Malik gave the idea because he proposed to Jess too so .. "

  " Too? Are you proposing right now? "

  " No no no! No I'm not, I just misspoke! "

  " So you are saying you wouldn't marry me? "

  " No that's not what I'm saying! "

  She could not help but torture him and make him flustered.

  " If I was proposing I wouldn't be doing it in such an anti climatic way! "

  " Ok show me how you would do it then. "

  " Alrighty. "

  He kneeled next to her and cleared his throat.

  " Miss Isabella Tsorf, I met you only a few months ago in a forest. At first you ignored me, then you were scared of me but somehow I felt like faith was bringing us together and for some reason I wanted to give you everything I owned. I don't ever see myself loving anyone else be it in this life or the next, I love you, will you marry me? "

  Tears started appearing in Isabella's eyes.

  " This is .. perfect. "

  Richard wiped her tears and gave her a kiss on the forehead, he then planted his eyes into hers.

  " You didn't give me an answer. "

  " I would definitely say yes. "

  " And what if I really proposed. "

  " I would say yes a thousand times. "

  " I want it to be real. "

  " Me too. "

  They both leaned in at the same time and on this night, which was the first of summer, they kissed and sealed their engagement.