Julia's Betrayal - Forty Three

Julia was heading down the castle corridor when she saw someone new. He was very handsome and caught her eye.

She stopped him and started up a conversation. "Hi, I haven't seen you here before. What's your name?" she asked him. "My name is Derick. I came here to work in the stables," he replied.

As time went on, she became really close to Derick. She was always left alone at the castle, and James had his own things that he liked to do. He would sleep during the day and vanish into the night.

She couldn't resist one day when they were alone and kissed him when she knew no one was watching. "You're betrothed to marry James." he stuttered out. "I know, but I don't want him. I want you," she replied. "If we get caught, we will be in so much trouble," he said tensely."No one will find out. I know what I'm doing," she replied, kissing him again. 

James prepared his horse like he always did at dark. He then headed out for a ride.

He arrived at Amelia's house and threw the pebble at her window to get her attention and let her know he was there.

Amelia walked over to the window to see James waiting for her. She called quietly down to him to come up to her room.

He climbed through the window and into her room. "Oh, I have missed you all day. All I could do was wait for the night to come so I could see you. I hate being apart from you." James told Amelia. "I have missed you too," she replied, smiling at him.

But before she could get another word out, James kissed her. It was their first kiss since they were kids. It had so much passion that it made Amelia weak at the knees.

This took Amelia by surprise. She grabbed his shoulders to steady herself. "I wish we didn't have to hide our love like this. It kills me to even be in the same room as Julia. And to think they want me to marry her!" he told Amelia, instantly outraged. "You're not going to, are you?!" she asked, a bit panicked. James hesitated, then responded."I will do my best not to. I don't want to ever hurt you. You are my heart, my existence." he whispered to her, trying to reassure her.

The morning was coming, and he knew he had to leave. Amelia hugged him tight, never wanting to let him go. "I wish you could stay. I hate that you have to leave me," she told him, fighting back the tears. "I will be back. Look at the ring I gave you to keep me close to your heart," he replied.

"You know I love you with all my heart. I will cherish every moment we share. And one day, we will be together, and the whole world will know it." he confidently told her. "I can only hope it happens very soon," she replied. Then James mounted his horse and headed off before the sun came up.

Amelia headed to her room to nap since she had been up all night with James when Beth entered. "I know what you have been up to. No one else knows. They are asleep when he comes here. Please, Amelia, be careful. I can not stress this enough to you. Don't get caught, or both of us will be in that dungeon." Beth told Amelia in a stern tone.

James finally made it home and crashed on his bed. He didn't even bother to take his shoes off. He would be out for a long time before waking up again.

Julia knew this and told Derick to meet her in her room. They lay on the bed together and chatted for a long time.

Julia couldn't resist anymore. She was getting all this attention from Derick that she craved from James, who wouldn't even spare her a glance.  Julia's hatred for Amelia and James's relationship fueled the fire growing between her and Derick. She was in love with him, and she was ready to be his no matter the cost. She pulled off her dress and laid down beside him on the bed. 

He kissed her softly on her neck without thinking that anyone could walk in on them. He pushed her down on the bed. "If they catch us, it will be treason, and they will hang us both or worse," he told Julia. "I don't care. I can't be without your touch. Besides, James wants nothing to do with me. He doesn't care what I do. He only thinks about Amelia. He will be asleep till it gets closer to dark with the curse he has," she told him as she closed her eyes and pulled him closer.