Juniper was lying wearily in his bed.
He was posed sideways, which was the only position in which the young man did not feel much pain.
A week had passed since the day he was shot and so admitted to the infirmary of the royal house.
The wound gradually continued to be disinfected and treated every day by different doctors and despite the fact that it was slowly healing, the baron still felt a great pain in his body.
He did not sleep despite the fact that it was already late at night, but on the contrary he was waiting for the usual visits that his future wife, together with his cousin, would bring him.
It was close to midnight, although Juniper did not know exactly what time it was and the next day he had to wake up early for the visit of the doctor who, as usual, would have disinfected and treated his wound.
The young man was starting to lose hope in the long-awaited visit when the door finally opened but only one of his visitors showed up.
It was not difficult for him to notice the body of his wife placing the oil lamp she carried in her hand on the marble floor.
-Oh Juniper! -she exclaimed throwing herself on the young man who was still lying in the cool bed -how are you my love? How is your wound?- Abigail finally asked slowly and delicately dissolving his white bandages and sensually caressing his smooth abdomen.
And as the bandages were removed, the duchess could clearly see that the hole which had once been in the young man's body was slowly healing, improving day by day.
-I am feeling better- Juniper reassured her looking in her eyes -in a week, with the help of a cane I will be able to walk again and I will be able to be there at our wedding-.
At those words and full of her melancholy happiness, the young woman left a long kiss on the thin lips of her future husband, but despite her trying to seem happy, Juniper realised that something about was troubling his future wife.
-But tell me Abigail, how is life actually going on at court?- the young baron asked curiously noticing his bride's face suddenly becoming sad.
-Very bad, Juniper- she admitted looking away -Gilbert is dead, Juniper, they murdered him-.
At those words, while feeling an obvious dislike for him, the baron began to feel incredibly guilty for what had happened.
He believed the murder could be a plan by some fanatic of the crown to avenge the harm done to him, and he felt incredibly guilty.
Juniper never wanted Gilbert to die.
-Where is my cousin?- the young man then asked worried - he usually used to come and visit me every night ...-.
At those words the duchess's eyes also filled with tears which slowly began to fall on her freckled cheeks.
-Henry was put in prison- said Abigail -he was accused of treason to his own people, letters in French were even found, coming directly from the kingdom of France-.
At those words Juniper clung desperately to the shoulders of his future bride.
-He will not be executed ... will he?- Juniper hoped he was right, but at the sight of the duchess' face his hands immediately let go of her.
-We hope it is not so- Abigail said lowering her gaze towards the white and cold floor -but I'm afraid, terrible things are happening and I can't even understand what our future could be- cried the young woman and one lock of her long red hair fell to her chest.
Juniper was afraid too, he did not know what to say or how to cheer up his future wife, nor how to calm her down or give her advice.
-Each one gradually disappears from the walls of this castle, and I know well...and don't lie...that one day this fate will happen to us too, to my child, we will all disappear from here-.
At those words the baron pressed the sad face of the bride to his chest, pressed it tightly, with love, softly caressing her hair.
Abigail could thus feel the beating of his heart.
- Listen to me...- Juniper said with a certain determination -I don't want any more blood unnecessarily shed, so please, I beg you, don't come back to see me for as long as I will be here-.
At those words the duchess pushed her head away from his chest and began with panic and terror to observe the blue eyes of her future husband.
-How can I? - Abigail asked scared -how can I never see you for a whole week? To be able to touch your body, to talk to you?! You are the only person who at this moment gives me courage, Juniper- she admitted taking into her hands those of the other.
-You too, Abigail- admitted the young baron squeezing the duchess' hands in turn -but I want you to think about yourself and the baby. I want you to stay alive-.
At those words Juniper brought the Abigail's head close to him and gave her a soft kiss on her red hair.
-Now go, there's not much time left ...- Abigail soon nodded quickly grabbing the oil lamp from the cold floor.
She was near the door, she turned and looked at him one last time.
-Are you sure you want to do this, William? - Dickon's voice echoed almost promptly inside the partially illuminated corridors of the castle, whose light shone through arched windows.
The two Dustin twins had somehow managed to make peace but while Dickon now felt bad and guilty for his brother's unmotivated anger, William continued undeterred feeling hatred and impatience.
-Of course! I have to do it... - the other reproached himself trying as quickly as possible to detach himself from the pressuring anxiety of his brother.
At those harsh words, Dickon from the back of the other took one of William's arms with speed and decision and gently pushed him backwards.
-It doesn't seem right to me- the twin tried to persuade him as the brown eyes of the two met again -on the other hand Gilbert is already deceased, there is no reason to commit such wickedness-.
William with impatient temper abruptly pushed his brother's body away from him, freeing himself from him grip and letting him retreat a few steps.
-What you say makes no sense ...- his brother scolded him continuing with an angry look to observe the frightened face of the other -you are a coward Dickon! And today I feel the day of our house's revenge has come!-.
At those words, the twin, left behind, began to rub the sleeve of his jacket starting to reflect on the possible succession of events.
He lowered his gaze.
-If what you say were true- Dickon scolded himself -then Francis would risk being unjustly imprisoned, don't you feel guilty if more blood is shed on this nation? -.
-Stop it with your nonsense talk!- William scolded him, too stubborn and close to the door to be able to hear what the other had to say -whether he is slammed in the cell or sentenced to death I don't care, what matters right now is the honour of our family-.
At those words Dickon could not believe his brother was so selfish that he could think that a human life could be worth less than his honour, his brother had turned into a monster devoid of feelings.
The large door of the royal study was well protected by royal guards who did not hesitate to wait for the approval of the princess before allowing the twins to enter the room.
A council was being held: chaired by Lord Edward Hoover, Francis' father and minister in charge of the foreign economy and the British army leader, Lord Harald Hoover.
But for the twins this detail was unexpected and Isabelle was so curious that she left the two Dustins undisturbed inside the royal hall.
The three governours were standing, discussing some documents, at the moment still secret and at the entrance of the twins all attention was focused on them.
-What does this mean?!- Edward Hoover turned to observe the entrance of the two counts and passing a few glances at the princess.
Lord Edward, marquis of the Orkney Islands had a completely severe and intimidating look so much so that they both shivered.
He was a man in his sixties by now and had white hair neatly arranged more on one side of his forehead.
He was tall and slender.
He had very thick moustache over his thin lips and had two small but dark coloured eyes that were exactly the same colour as the ones of his son Francis.
On the other hand, seeing the restlessness of the lord, Isabelle hastened to gently touch one of his arms.
-I beg your pardon marquis, let our conversation be postponed for some time- the young woman asked smiling with a sweet and friendly smile.
And although the lord's look seemed severe and not convinced enough, he could only accept her proposal and leave the room in the company of the army chief, his younger brother.
Once the twins and the princess were left alone inside the room Isabelle sat composedly down in her chair and smiling kindly at the two young counts of Ireland.
-How can I help you?-.
At those words both were paralysed by the princess's harsh kindness, so much so that it took them a few minutes to start the conversation.
-What were the two lords of the Orkney Islands doing here?- William Dustin was the first to ask, taking all his courage within himself.
At those words Isabelle, almost as if she wasn't impressed by the question or as if it didn't matter to her, hugged herself in her arms.
-Edward Hoover in addition to being a marquis and foreign minister, owns huge plantations and it could be interesting for me to benefit from a noble of his rank for help and labor of the slaves, his brother Harald, however, has been for years chief of the British army and has fought numerous battles ...- was the princess' reply playing with her hair.
-On my side ...- Isabelle started talking again after a short silence -to guarantee the alliance between our houses I promised Lord Edward to marry his son, Francis-.
At those words and hardly noticing the seriousness of the situation, William let out a short, weak chuckle from his lips, half suffocated in his own throat.
He didn't want to give Isabelle the impression that he had something against her decision and so as soon as possible he tried to stifle his cruel laughter.
Dickon, on the other hand almost sharing his brother's thoughts, immediately tried to calm the tense situation by starting to speak.
-Your majesty- the other began to speak -Francis is indeed the illegitimate son of Lord Edward Hoover, are you sure of your choice?-.
At those words the young woman slowly nodded moving her very long golden hair heavily on her back -it is for the greater good, but I know what the cause is for which your brother laughed-.
At those words both Dustins became pale in the face, so much so that their dark red hair and the colour of their freckles stood out more.
-Oh, you know?- stammered one of the two in panic thus letting the princess nod again.
-I know Francis is homosexual and I am aware that he had a relationship with Gilbert, given their "close friendship"- the young woman confessed starting to put order in the various and different papers that were still on her desk.
-But on the other hand there is no reason to punish him, he just followed his heart, Francis is a handsome young man and marrying him is for the greater good...-.
-I also noticed, your cousin Abigail is pregnant and I give you my best wishes- Isabelle concluded finally placing the documents inside her drawers -I am pleased knowing that the father of the child is also my dear Gilbert-.
At those words the two began to sweat.
Who could have revealed that detail to the princess? Who could have been the spy? Such anger rose in William's body, vowing in his heart to kill in cold blood anyone who revealed such a fact.
-It was you who made me understand it Lord William...- admitted the princess as once again her gaze fell on him making him blush -you made such a scuffle on the "honour and the sense of family" that I could not help to listen-.
-Please let us clarify, your majesty- Dickon prayed from behind the back of his brother, taking the reins of the situation in his hands -there must have been only a great misunderstanding...-.
But at those words Isabelle motioned to finish speaking, no longer believing his apology and resuming her own speech.
-Nothing will happen to your cousin, this is my promise- Isabelle slowly passed to the side of her desk and at the same time touched every wooden edge of it.
She touched it delicately.
-But unfortunately I won't assure you anything about the baby...- she finished her speech this time gently placing one of her small hands on his belly which still lay smooth under her precious dress.
-A child is growing inside me right now, the legitimate son of Gilbert, conceived before he died- Isabelle said, beginning so slowly to pass and caress her hand on the belly -a prince ready to rule skies and seas, if not even the whole world- Isabelle proudly admitted.
-If a daughter were to be born to Abigail I would simply let her take care of her with the assistance of a personal nurse but if a male child were to be born from her womb then it would be a problem for my domain, for my son...- Isabelle began to think as she was finally a few steps away from the twins.
They were the same, identical, she was almost intimidated to have them for a long time before her eyes, but soon her silence was interrupted by a provocative question from William, the more active and less reflective of the two.
-And what if you will give birth to a daughter?-.
At that question the princess's graceful face took on an immediate blush which soon led her to no longer bear their presence in her study.
-It won't happen- she replied keeping calm and breathing deeply -but if it does I suppose Abigail's son just will have to prepare to die-.