THE SECRET (The Power Of Love Conquers All)
THE CHAPTER 19

Jacelyn did not let go of Ailean's hand. Ailean even doubted that Jacelyn was aware that she was holding it. Ailean could have pulled away. But he didn't do it.

"You told me that I would be under Ramsey's protection" Jacelyn recalled Ailean. "Therefore, it is he who will be responsible for me, Ailean, not you."

"Yes," Ailean agreed. "But I am the Emperor there. And because of that, Ramsey obeyed all my orders. Do you understand now?"

Jacelyn pulled her hand. "I understand that you're thinking you and Ramsey can rule me" Jacelyn replied. "That's what I understand."

Ailean smiled. He even nodded. Jacelyn laughed out loud. Ailean could not imagine what triggered such a response.

"Does that mean you and Ramsey were brought to Java for all my actions?"

Ailean nodded. "My offense will be your offense?" Ailean linked her hands behind her back and wrinkled her face looking at Jacelyn. "Are you planning to do something bad?"

"Oh, no. Of course not," Jacelyn replied in a hurry. "I'm really grateful that you let me come to your house. And I obviously don't want to cause any trouble there."

"Your smile makes me question your sincerity" Ailean said suspiciously.

"I smile for different reasons" Jacelyn explained. "You just realized how illogical you are," Jacelyn added with a nod as Ailean looked very doubtful.

"I'm not an illogical person," Ailean snapped.

Jacelyn did not realize that she had insulted the man. "Yes, right," he argued, "Unless you can explain how my decision not to let you kiss me again could lead to this kind of weird talk."

"The problem with me kissing you is not relevant enough to discuss" Ailean replied. "That's not important."

Ailean was like slapping Jacelyn. The pain was more pronounced because the man said it so casually. However, Jacelyn would not let Ailean know that the man had already hurt her feelings. He nodded, then turned around and stayed away from the man.

Ailean stood there and stared at Jacelyn for quite a while. Then, Ailean let out a heavy sigh. Jacelyn did not understand, but the woman had already caused trouble. His men could not take their eyes off the woman. Damn, he couldn't either.

All men will realize that Jacelyn is a very beautiful woman. It was very clear. It's also very logical. However, the strong sense of possessiveness that Ailean felt towards the woman was another matter. That doesn't make any sense at all.

Ailean had told Jacelyn that she would be in charge of the woman .. Until the woman returns to Northumbria. Fuck it, Ailean was even almost suffocated when she said that sentence. The thought of taking Jacelyn back to Northumbria did not please her at all. What really happened to him?

How could he let Jacelyn go?.

While arriving inside Jacelyn could not wait to get away from the man. Jacelyn knew she didn't think like a sane person right now. The long journey that did not end it made her very tired now. His mind was really weakened. He admitted that he had overreacted about the harsh words Ailean said. Jacelyn seemed unable to sort through because of the feelings that kept her in the way. He thought, he still felt a very painful sting from Ailean's rejection of him.

"Jacelyn, come here and meet Carmous" call Azril.

Everyone turned towards Jacelyn. He rushed to them to stand in front of the host. Jacelyn revealed a small forced smile, it was hard to do so because Carmous was looking at her as if she had just seen a very sinister demon.

The expression on the man's face was clearly visible, even what was inside his head was well drawn there. The man was obviously very surprised by Jacelyn's whereabouts.

My God, Jacelyn really doesn't have the strength to accept all this nonsense. He sighed softly and said, "good night, sir."

"He's a Northumbrian."

Carmous received the statement with a stifled growl so that the veins protruded on her forehead. Jacelyn says her in perfect Gaelic, but she can't cover her Northumbri accent. The clothes he wore were another clue that had explained his origins. Although Jacelyn was well aware of the shameful dispute between the Stewart people and the Northumbrians, Carmous's hostility was absurd and she looked disgusted to the point of making Jacelyn feel afraid.

Instinctively, Jacelyn stepped back to protect herself from the man's wrath. Jacelyn hit Ailean's body. He tried to move to the man's side, but Ailean blocked him by placing her hand on Jacelyn's shoulder. The man tightened his grip and pulled Jacelyn tightly against his body.

"We already knew that he was Northumbrian, Carmous," Sgaire declared in a low but firm voice. "Now I want you to know that Ledy Jacelyn is under our protection. We'll take him home with us."

The old man looked like he was shaking his own body to cope with his emotions. "Yes, of course," he stuttered. "I was just surprised, you know, hearing his voice and everything."

Carmous did not like the look on the face of Emperor Stewart. He decided that he should fix the problem as soon as possible. He moved forward so that he could see the Northumbrian woman in person while apologizing.

Sgaire moved along with him, and blocked his intentions effectively. "Are we welcome here?"

"Of course you're welcome here" Carmous said. His fingers swept his white hair in agitation, and he wished that the Emperor did not realize how trembling his hands were at this moment. He had messed up this welcoming event. The last thing he wanted to do was to oppose such a strong and cruel man, and if he had offended Ailean, then, he knew that it was most likely the last act he would do on this beautiful earth.

Carmous refrained from making the sign of the cross. He could no longer hold back Ailean's sharp gaze. Then turn his full attention to Sgaire. He cleared his throat and said. "On the day your brother married my only daughter, you and all the other Stewart members were well received here. Your Emperor's beloved will of course be well received here as well" he added quickly. Then turned around a little and called his wife. "Margaretha, dinner table for our guests."

Jacelyn had been wondering why Ailean was not speaking, but once Carmous explained that Sgaire's sister was married to her daughter, then she understood why Ailean had given Sgaire the task of straightening out the unpleasant situation.

Carmous allowed everyone to enter. Jacelyn reached out and clasped Sgaire's robe. The man immediately turned around. "Thank you for standing up for me" he whispered.

"You don't need to thank me, Jacelyn," Sgaire's voice sounded hoarse in embarrassment.

"Yes, I have to do it" Jacelyn argued.

"Sgaire, would you like to explain to your family that I'm not Ailean's lover. It seems he misunderstood."

Sgaire stared at Jacelyn for a long time without saying a word. Then, he jacked up to stare at Ailean.

Why is Sgaire so hesitant? "I'm just asking that you straighten things out with that guy" Jacelyn said.

"No."

"No?" ask Jacelyn. "Why not?"

Sgaire's eyes were completely smiling, but the tip of the man's eyes wrinkled to form a mimic that Jacelyn thought was a happy mimic. "Because you're Ailean's lover" she said.

Jacelyn shook her head. "Where can you get such ludicrous thoughts? I'm just a guest..."

Jacelyn stopped explaining as Sgaire turned around and walked into the lodge. Jacelyn saw the stubborn man walking away. Azril and Garfie followed. Both men clearly smiled.

Jacelyn remained glued in place. Ailean finally removed her handrails from Jacelyn's shoulder and slightly pushed her.

Jacelyn did not move. Ailean moved to stand beside him. The man's head bowed towards him.

"Why didn't you say something when Carmous called me your lover?"

Ailean shrugged her shoulders. "I don't like to say it."

Of course Ailean was not telling the truth. Carmous has made a mistake, Jacelyn is not Ailean's lover. But, Ailean liked that conclusion and did not intend to deny it.

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