The day dragged on with a weight that felt unbearable. I could sense the anger brewing within the walls of Kingsley's Estate, a tension that clung to the air like a thick fog. The news of Henry's suicide had only fanned the flames of hatred directed toward Meredith. I felt the turmoil rising within me as I stood by the window, watching the soldiers marching in formation, their expressions grim and determined.

Each passing hour deepened my despair. I knew they were searching for my sister, and the thought made my heart ache.

Meredith, who once radiated laughter and warmth, was now a hunted woman. I couldn't shake the feeling that she was terrified, hiding somewhere in the shadows, alone and frightened, with nowhere to turn. Nikolai was locked away, awaiting his grim fate, and our family was fraying at the edges.

I desperately wanted to believe that Meredith wasn't involved in the assassination, but doubt gnawed at me. The change in her demeanor before everything happened whispered that she was hiding something. I loved her deeply, yet I couldn't bear the thought of her being publicly executed, her name dragged through the mud.

If only she could disappear, slip away from this cruel reality until the true culprit was exposed. My heart was heavy with the weight of my wishes, even as the reality of our situation crushed me.

Then came the news that shattered my already fragile state. Mr. Ralph told me that they found her sightings. The teacup slipped from my fingers, shattering on the floor as I dashed down the stairs, my pulse racing. I needed to find Lord Darius.

I rushed through the hallways, ignoring the stares of servants who whispered behind their hands, their expressions twisted with contempt for Meredith.

The anger and hatred were suffocating, wrapping around me like a noose. I finally reached the study, where Lord Darius was deep in conversation with his soldiers, strategizing on how to capture my sister.

My heart pounded as I burst through the door, breathless and panicked. "My lord!" I exclaimed, catching their attention.

Lord Darius turned, his brow furrowed in concern. "Scarlett, what's wrong?"

I could feel the tension in the room, the soldiers' eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"They've found her?" I asked, my voice trembling with anxiety.

"Yes," he replied, his tone measured but resolute. "And this time, I intend to capture her."

"I need to speak with you, my lord," I insisted, my heart racing. He glanced back at his soldiers, who silently acknowledged my plea and exited the room, leaving us alone.

With the door closed, I looked up at Lord Darius. His gaze pierced through me, as if he understood the weight of my presence and was daring me to voice the unspoken truths that lingered in the air. I knew what I had to ask him, despite the heaviness of the moment.

"I will come with you," I declared, meeting his questioning look with determination.

"To find Meredith," I added, my resolve firm as I stood before him.

"We've already discussed this, Scarlett," he said, his voice taut with frustration.

"Until now, I've turned a blind eye to your mistakes. I understand she's your sister, but you can't forget that she has pleaded guilty, which implicates her in the assassination of my family. Don't question the justice system simply because she's your sister."

His words felt like a dagger, each one piercing through the hope I had clung to.

"No, I want to come with you because I can't accept that she really committed this crime," I insisted, my voice trembling with emotion. "Please, I understand your anger, but I need to confront this myself. If I meet her, I think I'll be able to process everything that's been happening. You have to understand my feelings; it's all been too much for me. And I see your pain—I don't want you to suffer any more than you already have. Please, let me handle this."

"Please make it clear," he said, his tone sharp and unyielding. "Are you coming with me because you're concerned for my pain, or because you want to help your sister flee?"

"My lord, why would you speak to me like this?" I replied, my voice trembling with hurt.

"If anything, I have never lied to you. I did what I said I would do, and I stood by you through it all. So why would you doubt my intentions now?" The pain in my voice was unmistakable, and I could see the effect it had on him. He stepped back, leaning against the table, his expression grim.

"I am sorry, my dear," he whispered, his voice heavy with conflict. I could see the turmoil in his eyes as he gripped the edge of the table tightly, as if it were the only thing anchoring him in this chaotic moment.

I walked to him and wrapped my arms around his waist from behind. He tensed for a moment at my unexpected embrace, but soon his body relaxed, and I felt his hand cover mine, which was tightly wrapped around him.

"I want to walk with you," I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'm tired of confronting others and questioning my intentions. I need to lean on you and uncover the truth of everything happening around us. I want to believe in you, and I know that can only happen if you're by my side."

As I spoke, I felt a sense of calm wash over me, and I hoped he could sense my sincerity through the turmoil of our circumstances.

"Scarlett," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

"It would be too dangerous," he continued, holding my hand and gently pulling me closer, caging me between him and the table. The intensity of his gaze bore into mine, and I could feel the weight of his concern.

"I won't be able to forgive myself if anything happens to you, my dear," he said, and the sincerity in his eyes enveloped me like a warm blanket.

"Nothing will happen to me. She won't hurt me," I assured him, though a small voice in my heart reminded me of our last encounters, when Meredith had come dangerously close to inflicting harm.

"She already tried to hurt you, and you know it well," he said, his tone firm but gentle. "I can see it in your eyes. I know you never lie to me, Scarlett. But you hide things from me, and I need you to be honest."

"This is also why I want to come with you. I know nobody can hurt me if you are there by my side," I told him honestly, and a smile broke across his lips, a flicker of warmth in his gaze.

"Scarlett, you've finally grown up, haven't you?" he remarked, his voice a blend of surprise and pride.

"Alright, you're coming with," he said, a smile spreading across his face.

The warmth of his approval washed over me, and I couldn't help but smile back, joy filling my heart at the thought of accompanying him in the search for Meredith.

"Thank you, my lord," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper, gratitude mingling with relief. "I won't let you down."

He nodded, his expression softening.

"Let's prepare, then. We have a long journey ahead of us."

As I turned to leave, my heart racing with the anticipation of what lay ahead, I felt a firm hand grasp my wrist, pulling me back. The suddenness of the motion caught me off guard, and I stumbled slightly, turning back to face him. Lord Darius's eyes were fixed on me with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine.

"Scarlett," he whispered, his voice thick with unspoken emotions.

I could feel the air between us growing heavier, laden with the tension that neither of us could ignore. His hand, still wrapped around my wrist, was warm against my skin, and the heat of his touch sent a wave of awareness through me. I knew what he wanted.

He stepped closer, and I felt the edge of the table press into my back as he gently but firmly closed the space between us, caging me in. His face was inches from mine now, his breath mingling with my own, and I could see the conflict swirling in his eyes, mingling with desire.

For a moment, neither of us moved. The world outside seemed to fade into the background, the soldiers, the anger toward Meredith, all of it felt distant. All that mattered now was the man standing before me, the man whose touch made my heart race in a way I couldn't control.

Slowly, he leaned in, his lips hovering just above mine, and I closed my eyes, letting the moment take over. I felt the warmth of his breath on my skin, and then his lips were on mine, soft yet insistent, filled with all the emotions we had kept bottled up for so long.

The kiss deepened, and I felt his hands slide up to cup my face, holding me close as if he never wanted to let go. My hands, which had been resting at my sides, found their way to his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heart beneath the fabric of his shirt. I pressed myself closer to him, losing myself in the intensity of the moment.

Every touch, every movement was filled with raw emotion, pain, longing, and something deeper that we had both been too afraid to acknowledge until now. His lips moved against mine with a hunger that mirrored my own, and I could feel the weight of everything we had gone through together in that single kiss.

When he finally pulled away, it was only by a fraction of an inch, his forehead resting against mine as we both struggled to catch our breath.

"I've wanted this for so long," he murmured, his voice hoarse with emotion.

I opened my eyes, meeting his gaze. There was no need for words; everything we had been holding back was laid bare between us now.