Love Triangle (Adult Version) - Chapter Ninety Five

Adult Version

"Is that you?" A familiar voice rang out. Arthur turned around to see Willow coming around the corner.

"It's nice to see you here in France. Me and my father are here on business," she began. "That's right, your father that ruined my life," he replied, crossing his arms in frustration.

"Please don't be mad. I hated it too. You act like I never loved you," Willow replied. "I know, it tore me up. I wanted us to be together forever," he explained.

Trying to change the subject, "I hear your father returned. I can't believe he’s alive, after seeing him dead. It's a story that will be told for generations!" she replied with a smile. "It was a shock to everyone, even my grandma, which seems to still be in denial. I'm here with my mom and dad. They wanted to take me here on vacation to get caught up on all the time that we were separated," he told Willow.

Willow stepped a little closer. "So you are here without your betrothed?" she asked. "Yes, she’s back at the castle with my sister and her friend, Nolan. I think they are secretly in love, but they are not letting that one out right now," he replied. Stepping just inches from him, she could see that he was getting nervous.

"What are you doing?" he asked. She looked at him with intensity burning in her eyes. "I have missed you so much. I have never stopped loving you. I only wrote that letter to try to convince myself that I wasn't in love with you. I didn't want you to hurt like I did. I always wanted you to be happy," she told him.

"Oh Willow, I know that you still care, I still care about you, but the matter still remains. You are still betrothed as well as me. We are promised to others. We can’t do this." he told her as he stroked her cheek.

"Please don't take this moment from me. I have longed for your touch. They will never need to know. She held his hand to her face as her hazel eyes meet his. Arthur stood there, his heart racing. He wanted her as much as he could see that she wanted him. He stood there frozen in time. It was only them that existed in their world.

He pulled her into his arms. He took her face into his hands, pulling her lips to meet his. As he kissed her, he twirled his fingers into her hair. Her kiss was intoxicating! He didn't realize how much he truly missed her!

Pulling away, he had to regain himself. "I can't do this, I'm to be married this week, and well, you are to be married as well," he told her. She could see the pain in his eyes as he stepped back from her. "He’s horrible, he’s so mean to me, and we are not even married yet! He even slapped me once because I spoke out of turn when he was with his friends, she paused...........”And he threatens to do worse if I tell anyone!” she explained to Arthur. Willow could see the hurt and anger that was building up on Arthur’s face. "You need to tell your father or someone. He can’t do that to you. You’re too sweet." he told her.  "I will take care of him if you want me to?" he asked. Willow with tears welding in her eyes stepped closer to him. "He will never be you," and I regret not running away with you when you asked to," she told him.

"I must be getting back before my father sends a search party after me. Will you walk with me back to town?" she asked. "It would be my pleasure," he replied with a smile. Arthur followed behind Willow, deep in thought with all that just happened. He was still in shock that she still loved him and that her betrothed was that mean to her.

What are you doing here?" he asked. "I had some more time to spare. My father won’t be back around until tomorrow evening, and I wanted to see you again," she told him.

Willow pulled Arthur close to her. "I don't think you get what I was saying earlier," he told Willow as he pulled away.

Willow was so angry that she couldn't help but turn and yell at Arthur. "Why! Why would you want to stay with her when you could be with me?" she shouted. "You don't understand," he tried to get out. "I do understand, you are not happy, and I'm not happy. We could be happy and still be with each other," she told him.

"Please stop. You’re not listening to me. I'm not unhappy. Lillian is a very sweet girl. She cares about me, and well, I care about her. I think I might be falling for her. It only seems right since she will be my wife in a week. I know I asked you to run away with me when they tore us apart, but you chose not to. So I was left alone. I have moved on." he told her. "You, you love her, and not me? I knew I shouldn't have come here. I was so wrong about you!" she shouted.

Willow turned to storm off but Arthur caught her by her waist to stop her.

"Stop!" he shouted as he held on to her as she tried to pull away.

Still trying to get away from Arthur's grasp, Arthur spun her around, backing her up to the table. Pushing her onto the table so she would not be able to fight against him, he had to get her full attention.

"You think you know everything, every time I look at you, my heart gets ripped out of my chest, I see what I want but can't have. You have no idea what I went through when you left, how many nights I cried myself to sleep, how I didn't eat. My grandmother did what she thought was best. She brought Lillian to court to try to save me from the purgatory I was living in. Then I got your letter, which even crushed me more: all my hopes and dreams were crushed. So don't pretend that you know me, that you know what I went through, that I didn't care," he told her.

After releasing Willow, Arthur walked over and stood in the doorway. Willow finally walked over to where he was standing. "I never meant it that way. I guess I'm so jealous that someone has you, and I don't. I know what it’s like, I too, cried myself to sleep. I tried to talk my father into letting me be with you. But he wouldn't. He’s scared of your grandmother. That's why he wouldn't let us be together. He doesn't want to lose me. She did execute your father’s first wife," she replied to him.

Arthur's eyes got wide as he stared at Willow in shock. "What are you talking about? He wasn't married before," he told Willow. "Yes, he was. She cheated on him with a stable boy and got pregnant. Trying to claim it was his, when in fact, he was in love with your mother. She found out about the affair and put the girl, her lover, and mother to death." she told Arthur. He was now angry, not at Willow, but what she was telling him.

Turning around to walk away, he felt Willow's arms wrap around him. Resting her head on his back, he could hear her as she began to cry. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I never meant to hurt you again. I just want you so bad. I want to be the one that's with you. I want to be the one walking down the aisle to marry you in a week. It's just not fair. Please forgive me!" she begged as she began to sob.

I don't hate you. I love you," Arthur told Willow as she pushed him down on the bed. "I love you, I want to be with you," she whispered to him as she pressed her lips to his.

That's all it took for Arthur to grab Willow. He brought her around throwing her onto the bed gently. Pulling her close, he kissed her lips as he began to undo her dress.

Looking down at Willow, he was mesmerized by her beauty. Running his fingers over her soft skin, he could see her begin to tremble.

"You’re my world, the air that I breathe. I don’t know what to do with you!" he told her as he brushed her lips with a soft kiss. "Love me!" she replied as she pulled him to her. Feeling his warm skin against hers sent waves of pleasure through her.

After Arthur made love to Willow, he pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her. They both fell asleep for several hours.

It was early in the morning when they both awoke and it was still dark outside. They both got dressed and headed out.

Sitting back they watched some shooting stars that danced across the sky.

Right before dawn, he took Willow by the hand and led her down the walkway. "So, what do we do now?" Willow asked Arthur.

"I honestly don't know right now. So much has happened that I need to think about a lot of things. I will think about what you said. I will not make any promises. I want you to know that I love you, and no one will ever replace the love that I feel for you." he told her as they approached the town.

After Arthur left Willow, he headed back. Confused with such emotions, he was lost in what to do, or even how to do it if he chose Willow.

He sat alone out on the balcony pondering on what to do. He loved Willow with all of his heart, but there was Lillian that he cared about too. He was falling in love with Lillian, and now that the wedding was going to be this week, how could he even think to hurt her. All she did was try to be kind and loving to him. Then if he did choose Willow, would her father even let him be with her? He didn’t want her with him because of his grandmother, for all the terrible things she had done and could still do. He couldn't blame him for keeping her away.

Arthur headed out with James to go site seeing. As they walked, Arthur had to ask what was weighing heavy on him.

Arthur stopped turning toward his father. "I need to ask you something," Arthur told his father. "Sure, what is it?" he asked. "Well, I ran into a friend, and well, I heard some stories that shocked me, and I wanted to know if they were true. I heard that you were married before, and the girl cheated on you with a stable boy and got pregnant with his child. When your mother found out the truth, she killed her, the stable boy, and her mother for their crimes. And that you were in love with mom before you were made to marry that girl. Is it true?" he asked. "Yes, it’s all true, and I didn't tell you because I didn't want you and your sister to see your grandmother as that person. She's queen, and with that comes a lot of responsibility. They were wrong. They were punished by law for treason. In the end, I got my one true love, your mom." he told Arthur.

"Ok, that makes a lot of sense. That what I heard. Now comes the hard part. I'm in love with Willow. She was who I wanted to be with, but her father said no. Then there is Lillian, she is sweet and pretty. I care for her too. I was falling in love with her and, well,... We are to be married this week, but now I don't know what to do, who to be with, and how to do it if  I was to choose Willow." he explained. "Well, all I can say to your son is follow your heart. If you love Willow, then you will find a way to be with her. I wouldn't marry Lillian if you have any doubt. The last thing you want to do is hurt her. No matter what you decide, I'm proud of you. I will support you and try to help you all that I can," he told Arthur.

Arthur found himself alone in his room. He pondered on what his father said. He knew that his father understood what he was going through. Now, if it just could be a happy ending, like his father’s.

Truth To Be Told - Chapter Ninty Four

Arthur found Lillian in the corridor heading to the library. "Hey, what are you up to?" he asked. "I'm just heading to the library to find another book to read," she replied. "I was wondering if you would like to take a walk with me in the garden?" he asked Lillian without trying to sound too excited. "Sure, that sounds really nice," she replied.

Lillian was surprised when Arthur pulled out fresh-cut purple flowers. She put them up to her nose to inhale the sweet scent. "Oh, they are lovely, thank you," Lillian told Arthur as she took in more of the flower's sweet smell.

Arthur pulled Lillian a little closer as they continued to walk through the garden.

Arthur stopped and stepped close to Lillian. Without warning, he leaned in and gave her a shy kiss. It took Lillian off guard, and she almost lost her balance.

Arthur dropped his head and began to blush. "I'm sorry for being so forward, he apologized. "There's nothing to be sorry for," she replied, stepping closer to Arthur. "So your not mad?" he asked. "No, it was wonderful," she replied, now blushing.

Arthur pulled Lillian into his arms, embracing her sweet lips with a gentle kiss. Lillian's heart began to race as she felt his lips meet hers again. She had never been kissed like that before.

"I'm falling for you Lillian, you are so sweet and so beautiful. I can't wait till we are married. They are all planning for the wedding, and my grandmother couldn't be happier with you. I know she thinks very highly of you," he told her. "I...I'm speechless," she laughed. I really like you as well. I haven't felt this way about anyone before," she kept fumbling over her words. "I know what you mean. You don't have to explain it now. We have our lifetime to experience it and grow closer to each other," he told her.

Later that evening, Arthur wanted to introduce his family to Lillian. They followed him up a set of steps that lead to Lillian's room. Arthur knocked on the door to hear Lillian call out to him to come in. They all entered the room to see a beautiful dark-haired girl sitting in a familiar room that Amelia had remembered when she was younger. Arthur walked over to Lillian, "I want you to meet my father and mother, and my little brother. Who knew!" he laughed as he shrugged.

Lillian rose to meet Amelia with little Jamie clinging to her. "It's nice to meet you. I can see why my son would want to marry you. You are really beautiful," Amelia told Lillian. She stood a little bit nervous as Amelia was talking to her. She knew the stories of their condition but had never seen it in person. Sensing that Amelia was not a threat to her, she started to lighten up a little. "Yes, your son is a very special person in my life. He was really kind to me when I arrived here, but I have to admit, his grandmother was the one that arranged for us to meet," she told Amelia. Amelia was in shock a little to hear that it appeared to be an arranged marriage. All she could hope was that he truly loved Lillian and that Kristen didn't make him do it.

When Amelia left from talking to Lillian, she ran into her long time friend, Lady Molly. "I heard you were back at court. I was waiting for everything to slow down. I heard about James being alive, and I couldn't be happier for you. You deserve all the happiness in the world with all that you have faced," she told Amelia.

"It's good to see you. I have missed you. I knew it would be better for you to be with my son than me. I know you have looked out for him while I was away. I can never repay you for that," Amelia told Molly. "Don't worry about that, I'm just glad to see you," she cried as she hugged Amelia for a long time. "Now, let's go and make you look like true royalty," she told Amelia as she began to pull her off for a makeover.

James found Kristen walking outside by herself.  "I needed to talk to you. I'm getting caught up. I want to send some servants to my castle to get it cleaned up so me and my family can move back as soon as possible," he told Kristen. "Oh no, I have bad news, when you died, your castle was burned to the ground. I didn't want anyone living there when you had passed away. I know that was wrong of me, but when I thought that Amelia killed you, I would make sure that she didn't get a part of you. I knew your kids would be taken care of, so there was no use for it to stay standing. I knew that you would want to do that as soon as everything was settled down. I know you, Amelia, Jamie, and Annabell. I figured you wouldn't want to stay here," Kristen began. "Wait, stop right there. Arthur will be coming with us too. You forgot to mention him," he replied. "I figured that he would be staying here with his wedding to Lillian approaching," she told James in hopes that he would change his mind about Arthur leaving.

"You did what? I can't believe you would do that. I can say that there is nothing that you are incapable of. You never really loved my family or me. You have continued to ruin my life. Now I have nowhere to take my family. It's all because of you," he shouted. Well, maybe I will take my family somewhere you will never see us again, every time we get near you, something bad seems to happen. You are the curse that should be feared by everyone," he told Kristen as he gritted his teeth with anger.

"Please don't be mad, you know I love you. I did everything to protect you. She was the one that wanted to change you to take you away from me. I will make arrangements to have another castle fixed for you and your family. You are always welcomed here. Please don't be mad at me," she begged James.

"You are impossible. I will find a place for my family, we won't be staying here, and Arthur with his betrothed will be coming with us," he told Kristen that was clearly starting to get frustrated.

"Please don't take Arthur away from me. I love him dearly as well as you. I was planning a beautiful wedding for Lillian and Arthur. Don't let your anger with me hurt him," she pleaded. "I will let their wedding take place, but after that, he will have his own place to live with me or on his own. Defiantly not with you. In the meantime, I will be arranging a place for us to go," he replied as he stormed off.

James found Amelia looking really beautiful. She looked just like she did before they were ripped apart. He walked up to her taking her hand into his. "You are looking really beautiful today. I had a talk with my mother today. Our home was destroyed in a fire a few years ago, so I will be arranging a new place for us to go," he told her. Amelia was a little shocked with the news that their castle was forever gone with all the memories they had shared and their stuff was now all gone.

"It's alright, we will find another place to start new memories.

Annabell was trying to find her grandfather. She was directed to his chambers by a servant. As she was about to knock on the door, she heard Kristen's voice along with her grandfather. She paused for a moment just to see what they were talking about. She knew it was wrong to listen in, but she couldn't resist.

"I'm so happy we have our son back. It's a miracle. It's good to see that we have a new grandchild as well. I really liked seeing Annabell again," William told Kristen as he held her in his arms, almost crying.

Kristen stood there with her hands to her face as she began to cry. "I don't trust Amelia. That curse is just that, a curse. She will always try to keep me apart from my son. I wish there would be some accident that would remove her permanently from the situation altogether," she told William that stood there in shock. "Don't say those things, that's insanity, you know what happened. It wasn't her fault; it was his choice. Don't do anything stupid. I know you are upset with her with what you thought happened, but let the past be the past. Let's move on to the future as a happy family," William told Kristen. "I seriously doubt that would ever happen. The curse is still in my family," she said in a grim voice.

Annabell heard all that she needed. She was actually thinking that she would spare Kristen a horrible death now that she seemed to be accepting them, so she thought, but no, it was all a lie. She knew it. She leaned against the wall in frustration, her or us, that's a simple answer," she thought to herself. She left down the hall fast so no one would see that she was there.

She searched until she found Nolan loafing around in one of the formal rooms of the castle. She pulled him close so she could tell him what she overheard her grandmother and grandfather discussing. "This might not be the happy ending that I was hoping for, after all, she began. "What did she say that's got you all wound up?" he asked with curiosity. "She's not as happy as she wants all of us to think she is. She was talking with my grandfather and was wishing something would happen to my mom and me. She still hates her and thinks she will manage to tear the family apart again, which it was her doing in the first place," Annabell told Nolan.

"I know her. She will make us disappear, one way or another. I think she will have us killed and made to look like an accident, or even worse. Shes got the power that many underestimate her for now that she's no longer immortal or cursed as she would call it," she explained. "I don't think she will do anything now that your father is alive. I think she's just still in shock," he told her.

"Look, I believe you. I want anything bad to happen to you or your family. I will make sure of that. I think you are still worried about what happened before. We can never underestimate her from all the things that she has done to you and many others. We just need to keep our guard up and try to stay one step ahead of her," he told Annabell, hoping to ease her of her worries.