He wasn’t looking at me, he was looking through me. The beads of sweat upon his brow, pelting down the sides of his face, it was thanks to the burning of the candle in his hand that I became aware of the dread that befriended his cowardice.

“Leave me… Elizabeth. I’ve no time for your interrogation.” He swivelled away from me, counted the rows of books imbedded in the bookcase across us with his beady eyes, he was fleeing away? I felt my heart shatter at the very thought.

I stepped forth to seize him by his wrist, he slapped my clench away. “Return to your chambers…” He hissed out with linings of vex in his tone.

“Why? Why must you break my heart like this… Charles?” Hot tears unearthed from my vision to blur him, he was statuesque and charming, in face of the growing ache in my chest. “Stop it.” Charles spat, turning to face me.

“Leave me be… I’ve nothing to say to you, Elizabeth.” His black eyes peered up at mine, breaking my heart further. I sensed the anger in his patience, a part of me feared it and another part of me did not, but I had to leave.

So… I left.