Marrying A Tyrant To Save The Kingdom
Chapter 259: A Close Friend

Chapter 259: A Close Friend

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Chapter 259

For the next few minutes, Gabriel patted her back slowly in a comforting manner. Similarly, Ora inhaled deeply, letting her body and senses be overwhelmed by the familiar scent of his body—pine wood and earth.

"It was just a bad dream," Ora muttered after some time and held on tightly while trying to brush it off. But Gabriel could tell that something was really bothering her.

She knew he was waiting for her to speak but this—she had to play it safe for him. After all, no one other than Era really knew of her powers.

"Tell me about it."

Ora hesitated for a moment, but eventually, she began to talk. She told Gabriel about the dream she had just had, tweaking the truth of the dream to being lost and alone in a dark, scary place.

She told him how it felt like she was being suffocated and how she couldn’t breathe.

Gabriel listened to her intently, his arms around her, holding her close. When she was finished, he didn’t say anything for a moment, just held her in silence. But then he began to speak, his voice soft and reassuring.

"Hey, it’s okay. I’m here for you. You don’t have to be scared," he assured her, stroking her hair gently. "I won’t let anything happen to you."

Ora looked up at him, her eyes full of tears. "Thank you," she whispered.

Gabriel smiled at her, a warm and tender expression on his face leaving tingles in her stomach.

"Of course. I’ll always be here for you, no matter what," he assured again.

They sat there like that for a while, just holding each other, until Ora’s breathing began to slow and her tears dried up.

Gabriel could feel the tension in her body begin to ease, and he knew that she was starting to feel better.

"Better?" he asked softly.

Ora nodded, a small smile appearing on her face. "Yes. Thank you."

Gabriel grinned at her. "Anytime. You know I won’t leave you, right?" He asked again to be sure all of her fears had gone.

Ora nodded, her smile growing a little wider. "I know."

They sat there for a little while longer, just enjoying each other’s company.

Gabriel could feel Ora’s body relax against his, and he knew that she was finally able to let go of the fear that had been haunting her.

Eventually, Ora pulled away from him, her face red with embarrassment. "I’m sorry," she said. "I didn’t mean to be such a mess."

Gabriel just shook his head, a fond smile on his face. "You’re not a mess. You’re just human. Everyone has bad dreams sometimes."

Ora smiled at him, a look of gratitude in her eyes. "Thank you," she said again.

Gabriel stood up and held out his hand to her. "Come on," he said, "time for bed once more."

Ora laughed, feeling the last of her fear and anxiety slip away.

The night became pleasant after Gabriel returned to his room reluctantly, he did not want to apart from her.

And even though flashes of her dream plagued her mind, she found herself leaning into the thoughts of having him as a shield.

But for some reason, she could tell her bigger shield was in danger and she was not there with her.

*********

"I’m going to kill her!" Diona voiced, pacing in her father’s chambers.

"No, you are not! We need to plan properly first," Caspian corrected as he pointed at his daughter.

"I’m tired of watching her rise so much and get his favour. Not only that, words going around with the ladies of the court about her are infuriating. At this rate, he would be deep in love with her when..."

"Shh..." Caspian silenced her but she wasn’t done. She had so much to say.

"Father, I..."

Diona stopped talking abruptly at the sound of a knock on the door. She turned around quickly but before she could say anything the doors opened slowly revealing a young man in a commoner’s clothing.

He looked nervous for a moment until his eyes fell on Diona who was now standing still looking confused by his presence. He walked towards them and bowed lowly.

"My lady," he greeted respectfully and then continued speaking without waiting for an answer from either one of them. "I have come from Lord Yonder."

Caspian raised an eyebrow, wondering what business it was between him and their guest. "What do you want?"

The messenger swallowed hard, trying to keep himself calm, "Lord Gabriel requests your attendance in his joint meeting with Lord Dimitri."

"I see. Noted. You may leave."

The young man nodded, took a bow and was about to leave when Diona’s voice rang out.

"Wait, time and venue?"

He stopped in his tracks, half turning in her direction as he answered, "In two hours’ time, my lord will be holding the meeting in Silver’s brothel."

"Brothel?" Her surprise and irritation did not go unnoticed by either of them but before she could say more, Caspian stepped forward, stretching his left hand to the side to stop her.

She frowned. Even though she understood him, it was still something else.

"We will be there. You may take your leave."

The young man pressed his lips into a thin line, bowed once more and excused himself.

Caspian till the door was shut and waited for his daughter to speak.

Diona folded her arms in front of her chest and snickered. "I am a lady of high standing. Forgive me that I think going to a brothel would tell bad if my reputation."

"Watch your mouth next time."

"Father!" She exclaimed, shoving her hands down at her side.

"We’ll be in disguise and covered but I need you there. This is all for the sake of our plans and your revenge on Era."

"But..."

He lifted his hand to stop her from speaking and corrected her thoughts. "If you cannot manage to do this to take down your enemy then you are not really eager for power."

Her brows furrowed greatly. She hated when she was seen as weak which she was sure he did.

"I’m not weak. I can do anything to get what I want."

"Good. That’s the daughter I know. I did not raise a weakling. Now, go get ready," Caspian ordered.

Diona rolled her eyes at him, but she knew better than to argue with her father about matters like these.

She turned around and walked out of his chambers, leaving him alone with his thoughts.