Chapter 157: Lands
He expected her to smile, or to jump or to show so form of excitent, but he clearly misunderstood her as it was.
She did neither of those things.
Instead, she just asked, "Is that all?"
He had to blink. She was dismissing him? Was she not pleased with the idea?
"I believe so."
She clasped her hands together. "Then, I should thank you, Your Grace. You do my family a great honour." The words sounded flat and devoid of a single shred of gratitude, but he nodded all the sa.
What was wrong?
She didn’t want the land?
"Claire?" He called before he could restrain himself.
She t his gaze. "You do not seem happy about my offer."
She pursed her lips, her eyes hardening.
"Is that your way of settling ? Tossing my vile uncle’s property in my hands as your paynt?" She drew in a deep breath, and without waiting for him to speak, she continued, "If that is the case, Your Grace, you might as well gift
back my father’s land for all the world to see."
He blinked again.
So...
That was what she thought he was doing?
What made her think he was paying her off?
He ran a hand through his hair, confused.
"I think you misunderstood , Miss Stenly." He resorted to being formal with her.
"I did not misunderstand you as far as I know. You just offered
Penbrook, did you not?"
"Well, do you want it or not?"
"Why can’t you give
my father’s land back?"
He rubbed his eyes, sighing in exasperation.
"Because I am not the one that seized it in the first place!"
She was the one to blink this ti. "What do you an by that? Are you not the King?"
How would he explain it to her?
"The council approved it before I was coronated. I wasn’t even aware until much later. And besides, if I suddenly return the land to you, it would be suspicious."
She placed her hands on her hips challengingly.
"Suspicious? You an they will suspect that I am your lover."
Her barb sunk through his armour.
"This isn’t about sentint, Miss Stenly. You are a woman - and won don’t inherit land."
Sothing flashed in her eyes.
"Then why are you giving
my uncle’s land? Why not seize it for the Crown?"
Why all the questions? Any ordinary woman would have just thanked him and let it be.
But of course, there was nothing ordinary about Claire Stenly.
"His son cannot inherit, so the land goes to the closest blood relatives. Since there are no males and your family was terribly aggrieved by him, it is my place to compensate you and your sister."
But his explanation didn’t seem to be enough.
Yeren was amazed that he had stooped to explain his actions to her - he never explained himself to anyone, he just always did what had to be done.
"Why didn’t you compensate my sister and I when you knew my father was wrongly executed?"
Again with this? Was she ever going to let it go?
"I believe I have explained that I knew nothing about it." Softening his voice, he added, "And I was much too buried in my grief to care about anyone, much less two girls who were left destitute by the law."
She took a step back.
"I want the land." She said quietly, taking another step back.
He could see that her eyes glittered with unshed tears.
"If it ans that I can rid myself of this blasted position."
Then, she turned and fled the room.
He ran both his hands through his hair violently.
Why couldn’t they always have a normal and civil conversation without her complicating things all the ti?
Then he realized how she must have suffered at Penbrook and what bad mories it must bring.
What in the world was he thinking?
He had just ant to give her sothing that would be truly hers, not insult her as she so adamantly believed.
Yeren considered going after her, but he knew things would only get worse.
Afterwards, what was he going to say?
She was hard to please, he mused wryly.
The next morning, he was awake early. He took care to dress well as they would be arriving at the castle by midday.
"Have my horse saddled and ready." He told Andon in the hallway.
His riding breeches fit snuggly against his thighs as he walked.
He glanced at her room door briefly before jogging down the stairs.
Andon hurried after him.
"Why are you not riding in the carriage with Miss Stenly?"
Yeren paused, gripping the stairs railing to cushion his abrupt halt.
"When I am tired, I will ride in the carriage. For now, I need the wind in my hair. It feels good to be myself again - I can hardly take it for granted."
Andon gave him a confused half-smile before following him down the stairs.
Outside, under the bright early morning sun, he had to shield his eyes to see his horse.
There was still no sign of her.
His attendant ca up beside him to assist him, but he waved him away. Placing one leg on the stirrup and swinging the other one over the horse, he mounted.
Another glance at the carriage after a while told him that it was still empty.
What in the world was she still doing upstairs? The trial was to hold by midday and they were to arrive soti around noon if they were to catch up.
"Andon!" He called out.
Andon turned away from the n he was giving out orders to and walked towards him.
"Please check on Miss Stenly. And see if you can hurry her along."
Andon nodded and hurried to do as he was bid.
Just as Andon reached the doorway to the main entrance, she was coming from within.
She was wearing a midnight blue dress without frills and a lace shawl was draped over her shoulders. Her hair was brushed back until it shone under the glow of the morning sun, but unadorned.
Everything about her dressing was plain by any standard, but one look at her pretty yet pale face and her figure made him change his mind.
Shielding his eyes from the sun, he watched her saunter towards the carriage, pausing only at the door to skirt a brief curtsey at him.
And all the while, she never t his eyes.
She was still angry, he could see from the way her lips were thinned.
What in the world could he do to appease her?
"Andon!"
Andon hurried over to where he was mounted.
"As a matter of fact, I shall have to reconsider riding my horse. My back is still a bit sore." He pretended to stretch a bit. "I should prefer riding in the carriage."
Saying that, he dismounted from the horse and strode toward the carriage.
He could only hope that she wouldn’t swing her slipper at him.
One glance at Andon told him that his lie was as believable as the tale of flying pigs.
Nevertheless, he drew in a sharp, deep breath, opened the door and helped himself into the carriage.
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