The Princess's Revenge Chapter 103

Valencia’s POV

To him, I probably looked like every rich person who had ever looked down on him or caused him pain.

Without hesitation, I began unlacing the bliaut. "You're right to be afraid," I said softly, pulling the dress over my head.

I stood there in just my simple linen chemise. Now I looked like any common village girl.

Delphine looked at me with surprise, then turned back to Isaiah. "Look at her now, Isaiah. She's just like us. This is Valencia - the friend I told you about. The one who used to be a slave."

Isaiah lowered his arm slightly, peering at me with suspicious eyes. But seeing me without the rich dress seemed to help. His breathing slowed down, and some of the panic left his face.

"You... you're not here to mock me?" he asked, his voice hoarse and rough.

"Never," I said firmly. "I would never mock someone for suffering."

But Isaiah's fear was too strong. Whatever horrors he had lived through had left deep scars on his mind. He began shouting, his voice echoing off the cottage walls.

"YOU LIAR! Get out! Get out! I don't want anyone here! Leave me alone!"

His shouting grew louder and more desperate. "I don't need your pity! I don't need anyone feeling sorry for me! Just go away!"

Delphine tried to calm him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Isaiah, please. She's here to help."

"I don't want help!" he screamed. "I want to be left alone! Stop bringing people here to stare at me!"

I felt tears prick at my eyes. This man was in so much emotional pain that he couldn't accept kindness from anyone. I looked at Delphine, who was trying desperately to soothe him, and my heart ached for both of them.

"I understand," I said to Delphine, backing toward the door. "I'll wait outside."

I gathered my bliaut in my arms and stepped out of the cottage, closing the door behind me. Isaiah's angry shouts continued, but at least without me there, maybe Delphine could calm him down.

Standing outside in the cold snow, I watched the village go about its daily business. A woman walked past carrying a basket of bread, and she nodded politely to me. Two children ran by, chasing each other and laughing. An old man led a donkey pulling a cart loaded with firewood.

Isaiah's screaming and cursing carried clearly through the thin cottage walls, but none of the villagers looked surprised or concerned. They just went about their tasks as if nothing unusual was happening.

These people had gotten used to Isaiah's outbursts. That realization made me feel even worse for Delphine, who came here every day to face this heartbreak.

I stood there in the snow, listening to the man inside destroy himself with rage and despair. The cold bit at my skin, but I barely noticed it. It was how unfair life could be, how quickly happiness could be stolen away.

After what felt like hours, Isaiah's voice gradually grew quieter. Either he was exhausting himself, or Delphine's gentle words were finally reaching him. The angry shouts became muttered complaints, and eventually even those faded to silence.

The cottage door opened, and Delphine stepped out. Her eyes were red with tears, and she looked emotionally drained. The cheerful, hopeful woman who had been so excited about the wheelchair was gone, replaced by someone who looked tired and beaten down.

I immediately went to her. "Delphine."

She looked up at me and suddenly broke down completely. Tears streamed down her face as she threw her arms around me, sobbing against my shoulder.

"It's getting worse," she cried. "Every day, he gets a little more angry, a little more hopeless. I don't know how to help him anymore."

I held her tightly, letting her cry. Sometimes there were no words that could make things better. All you could do was be there for someone while they fell apart.

"I love him so much," Delphine whispered. "But I can't reach him anymore. It's like he's disappearing a little more every day."

I stroked her hair, feeling my own eyes fill with tears. "You're not giving up on him. That's what matters."

We stood there in the snow while Delphine grieved for the man she loved and the future they might have had. Her tears were warm against my neck, and I could feel her whole body shaking with the force of her sobs.

Eventually, her crying slowed. She pulled back and wiped her eyes, trying to compose herself.

"I'm sorry," she said. "You didn't need to see that."

"Don't apologize. You needed to let it out." I comforted. "The wheelchair will help. When Gareth finishes it, Isaiah will be able to move around on his own. Maybe having some independence back will improve his mood."

She just nodded. We began walking back up the mountain path toward the castle. The afternoon light was already fading, turning the white snow blue and gray in the shadows. Our footsteps crunched in the powder, and our breath formed small clouds that disappeared quickly in the cold air.

Neither of us spoke much during the walk. We were both lost in our own thoughts. The joyful optimism we had felt when leaving Gareth's smithy was completely gone, replaced by a heavy sadness.

"I need to come back tonight," Delphine said as we climbed the winding path. "Isaiah will be hungry, and he can't prepare food for himself. He depends on me to bring him meals."

"Do you come every night?"

"Every night," she confirmed. "Sometimes twice a day when the weather is bad. I can't bear the thought of him being hungry and cold and alone."

I thought about how exhausting that must be for her - making this trip down the mountain every single day, facing Isaiah's anger and rejection, then climbing back up in all kinds of weather.

"You're incredibly strong, Delphine."

She smiled sadly. "I don't feel strong. Most days, I feel like I'm drowning. But I love him. That has to count for something."

As we reached the castle gates, the sky had turned a deep purple-gray, and the first stars were beginning to appear. The warmth and light spilling from the castle windows looked inviting.

"Thank you for coming with me today," Delphine said. "Even though it didn't go well, it meant a lot to have someone there."

"Of course. And Delphine? Things will get better. Maybe not quickly, but they will get better." I said softly, placing a gentle hand on her arm.

Delphine nodded, her black eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Thank you, Valencia. For everything today." She managed a small smile before turning toward the stone house. "I should go. Tomorrow will be another long day."

I watched her walk away, her sandy blonde hair catching the snowflakes as she disappeared into the darkness. My heart ached for her - loving someone who was drowning in their own pain was its own kind of torture.

I made my way toward the main entrance, planning to head up to the great hall for dinner. My stomach rumbled.

Valencia? Logan’s voice came in my mind, warm with relief. How are you? You've been gone for hours.

I'm back now. I'm going to get some food first - are you hungry? Do you want me to bring you something?

No need. Echo already brought me dinner earlier. But don't take too long eating. I've been waiting for you.

The longing in his mental voice made my chest tighten with affection. Alright, I'll be quick.

I reached the third floor and headed toward the great hall, but stopped short when I saw a familiar figure emerging from the dining area. Soren walked out with that easy confidence of his, looking like he'd just finished his own meal.

"Luna Valencia," he said with a warm smile, completely different from his probing questions earlier. "Good evening."

"Alpha Soren," I replied, uncertain about this change in his demeanor.

"I wanted to speak with you before I retire for the night," he said, his green eyes no longer sharp with suspicion but friendly. "Tomorrow morning, my warriors and I will be returning to our pack."

I nodded, feeling some of the tension leave my shoulders. "I hope your journey home will be safe."

"I'm sure it will be. But before I leave, I wanted to extend an invitation." Soren's smile grew warmer. "You and Logan would be welcome to visit Redstone Canyon Pack anytime. I think you'd find our lands quite beautiful, especially in spring."

The invitation surprised me. After his earlier interrogation about dragons, I'd expected continued hostility.

"I also owe you an apology," Soren continued, his expression growing more serious. "I had said some rather strange things to you. I was... testing the waters, so to speak. But I realize now that my approach was inappropriate."

I studied his face, looking for any sign of deception, but found only what seemed like genuine remorse. "Thank you for saying that."

"Logan is lucky to have found someone who brings out his better nature," Soren said. "I haven't seen him this... content in years. Perhaps ever."

Heat crept up my neck at his words. "I should let you get some rest."

"Of course. Travel safely tomorrow," I said.

Soren inclined his head politely. "Until we meet again, Luna."

He gestured to his warriors who had been waiting nearby, and they all headed toward the stairs leading to the guest quarters. I watched them go, confused by this complete reversal in Soren's attitude.

I shook my head and quickly made my way into the great hall. The evening meal service was nearly finished, but I managed to find some bread, cheese, and leftover roasted meat. I ate quickly, eager to get back to Logan after the emotionally draining afternoon.

When I finally reached his room, I knocked softly before entering. Logan was propped up against the pillows, looking much better than he had this morning. His color had improved, and the lines of pain around his eyes had eased.

"How was your afternoon?" he asked immediately, his gray eyes scanning my face with concern.

My expression must have shown my feelings because Logan's brow furrowed. "That bad?"

"It wasn't great," I admitted, then noticed something that made my heart skip. Steam was rising from behind the wooden privacy screen near the fireplace, and I could smell the herb-scented bath oils Echo often used.

Logan followed my gaze and smiled. "I had Echo prepare a hot bath for you. I thought you might want to relax and warm up when you got back."

The thoughtfulness of the gesture hit me like a warm wave. After the depressing afternoon, the idea of sinking into hot water sounded like paradise.

"Logan, that's incredibly thoughtful," I said, feeling my heart swell with affection. "Thank you."

"You looked tired when you left," he said simply. "I wanted you to have something nice to come back to."

I walked over to the privacy screen and began positioning it around the bathing area. Logan's voice stopped me.

"You don't need to do that."

I felt my cheeks flush immediately. "I can't bathe without the screen, Logan. I'd be too nervous to relax."

Logan's chuckle was warm and amused. "I was joking, Valencia. Set up the screen."

I shot him a look that was half embarrassed, half playful. "You're terrible for making me think you were serious."

"You're beautiful when you blush," he said, which only made my cheeks burn hotter.

I positioned the screen properly, creating a private bathing area, then began unlacing my dress as I spoke. "I need to tell you about Isaiah."

"Who is he?"

"He's the traveling minstrel who regularly performed his songs in the castle courtyard, capturing Delphine's heart." I stepped behind the screen and continued undressing.