THE SECRET (The Power Of Love Conquers All)
CHAPTRE 16

Ailean's grip was painful for Jacelyn. However, Jacelyn did not need to tell the lalaki to loosen his grip. As soon as he touched Ailean's hand and relaxed in his arms, the man immediately relaxed his grip by himself.

The next few hours proved to be a severe ordeal for Jacelyn.they took the road northward and moved as if pursued by an army of demons, They darted so fast that they reached the rocky slopes of the mountain, they continued to slow down their horses. Ailean finally allowed the group of horses to rest. They stopped at a small field surrounded by bushes. The thorny plants there are surrounded by yellow and purple flowers. Jacelyn thought the area was very beautiful. The girl circled the beautiful area like heaven, being careful not to step on the flowers while she relaxed her painful legs.

It was eager for Jacelyn to rub the pain that stung her buttocks, but she did not dare because the knights were watching in her every move.

They were not a talkative group, so Jacelyn spent her time touching the flowers and snorting at the scent of flowers that were foreign to her.

Jacelyn went to the pool that Garfie told her about and drank enough water. As he returned to the field, Azril offered him a box of cheese and a large loaf of bread.

Jacelyn sat on a large, smooth rock with lunch on her lap. Ailean returned to the field and stood near the men. The four knights stood beside their horses while chatting. Each time, Ailean would look towards Jacelyn, as if to make sure that the woman was still in her place.

Jacelyn finished her meal satay while continuously staring at Ailean. Jacelyn finds out that she doesn't know much about the men, except that they somehow have a relationship with Ainsley Callista. They are also loyal to their friends. Jacelyn hopes that her friend realizes how lucky she is to have so many people who love her. Of course, they are also lucky to have Ainsley Callista in their family now.

Jacelyn suddenly recalled the moment they first met. At that time, he was too young to be able to remember the details of the day. But, over the years, Papa Ainsley Callista often recounts the first time he met Jacelyn. He heard the story of the stinging bee from the man over and over again, so that he no longer remembered which details he himself remembered and which details were told to him.

Jacelyn thought about that incident now. According to Papa Ainsley Callista, there is a bee that bothers...

"What makes you smile?"

Jacelyn was closing her eyes and was so swept away into her memories that she did not realize Azril was nearby. Jacelyn opened her eyes and realized the man was only a few steps away from her place.

"I'm remembering the first time I met Ainsley Callista" he replied.

"When did that happen?" ask Azril.

The man seemed really interested. Jacelyn thought that Azril would want to hear a story about Ainsley Callista's childhood. Then Jacelyn told the man how she could meet her friend. And by the time Jacelyn finished telling her story, Garfie and Ailean had already joined them to listen. Jacelyn did not answer until the topic of Ainsley Callista's father was raised. It lingered on explaining about how he met the great man. Jacelyn even described the man's appearance. The man's voice was soft and full of love. Ailean was aware of the change. He also realized that Jacelyn had mentioned three times how kind Ainsley Callista's father was to the woman. As if Jacelyn still felt the same way, after so many years had passed, it made Ailean quite surprised.

"Did Ainsley Callista behave the same way to your father, as you did to his father?" Ask Garfie.

"My father wasn't there."

The smile from Jacelyn's face disappeared. The woman stood up and walked behind the trees. "I'll walk for a while" he shouted without looking.

Jacelyn became quiet for the rest of the day. The woman also kept her head down at dinner. Garfie, the brightest of all, asked Jacelyn if something was wrong. Jacelyn smiled, thanked Garfie for her concern, then apologized for her attitude, and gave her an excuse to feel a little tired.

They slept outside that night, as did the next four days. On the sixth day of their journey. Jacelyn reached the highest peak of her exhaustion. The cold night made things worse. The further north they go, the colder the wind becomes. It's hard to sleep. Jacelyn could only fall asleep for a few minutes at a time. Tents that are built only make a little protection from strong winds. And in the nights that followed, Jacelyn often felt as if the cold was able to penetrate to her bones.

Ailean also seemed to be pulling away. The man still insisted on riding with Jacelyn. But he did not say a word.

Jacelyn learned from Azril that Ailean was an emperor who had just been chosen in her kingdom, and she was not at all surprised to hear that. Ailean is a lalaki who was born a leader. Jacelyn considered it a blessing because the man was too arrogant to obey an order. Ailean enjoys doing things her own way. Oh, Jacelyn had already realized Ailean's nature quickly.

"Is there a problem in the house you're worried about?" jacelyn asked as the silence on the long journey began to unsettle her.

They were riding through a heavy mountain road in slow motion. Jacelyn turned to look towards Ailean while waiting for the man's answer.

"No."

The next hours passed in silence. Then, Ailean lowered her head and asked. "What about you?"

Jacelyn did not understand what the man was talking about. He turned around again to look at Ailean. The man's lips were only a few inches away from his lips. Ailean immediately withdrew quickly. Jacelyn also flipped her body quickly. "What about me?" jacelyn asked in a quiet whisper.

"Do you have any problems at home that you're worried about?"

"No."

"We were quite surprised that your family allowed us to take you away."

Jacelyn shrugged her shoulders. "Will this place be warm in the summer or always cold?" jacelyn asked with the intention of diverting the subject.

"The weather will continue to feel like this" Ailean replied. The happy tone in the man's voice left Jacelyn confused. "Is there a noble in your house who has proposed to you, Jacelyn? Are you tied to someone?" ask Ailean.

"No."

The man did not let this personal question go. "Why not?"

"It's complicated to explain" replied Jacelyn. Immediately he added. "I really don't want to talk about this. Why aren't you married?"

"I have no time and no interest."

"I'm not interested either."

Ailean laughed at Jacelyn's reply. Jacelyn was so shocked by the reaction that she turned around again to look at the man, "why are you laughing?" ask her.

Damn it, the man was very alluring while he was having fun. The ends of his eyes were wrinkled with glee, and his eyes were glistening silvery. "Then you're not playing me?" Ask Ailean.

Jacelyn shook her head. Ailean laughed even louder. Jacelyn didn't know what to do with the man. So did Garfie. The knight turned around in the saddle to see what was going on. Garfie also looked very shocked. Jacelyn concluded that the knights were not used to hearing their emperor laugh.

"In the Highlands, it doesn't matter whether a woman is interested or not" Ailean explained. "My estimate, it happened in Northumbria, too."

"Yes, it's the same thing" Jacelyn said. " A woman has no voice in managing their future."

"Then, why..."

"I've explained it," cut Jacelyn. "It's all complicated."

...🍁...