BK1 Chapter Thirty-Four --EDITED

Chapter Thirty-Four

Callan's gaze shifted between Garret and me, his expression a mix of surprise and anger. He narrowed his eyes as he took in my dishevelled hair and Garret's prone form as he nursed his injured hand.

I saw him clench his hand around the hilt of his Jian as he stepped toward the camp.

"Callan, I can explain!" I stuttered as fear etched onto my heart. The box above his head blurred as Callan raised his hand to stop me from coming closer to him. He shot me a look with his grey eyes, and I pressed my lips tightly.

"Lynette attacked you?" Callan's voice held a hint of scepticism as he focused his attention on Garret.

Garret nodded, his eyes fixed on me as he pushed up onto his feet. "Yes, Lady Heversham lunged at me out of nowhere. I was merely trying to get to know her better as my Fiancee."

I opened my mouth to speak, to defend myself against Garret's false claims, but the words caught in my throat. Callan met my eyes, uncertainty was evident in his gaze, and I slumped my shoulders.

The realisation struck me with a heavy blow—Garret was right.

Who would believe me over a trusted noble like him? As far as anyone knew, Garret was a man of standing, with no rumours or unsightly behaviour in his past like I did. He knew well to keep his darkness hidden behind closed doors. The odds were stacked against me, and my own history further worked against my credibility. People believed I had attacked Rian as a child with a dagger, set fire to a commoner's stall, and engaged in questionable behaviour during social events. Of course, Callan wouldn't believe me over Garret. Why would he?

Callan surveyed Garret, his grip on his Jian tightening. He seemed to be assessing the situation, trying to make sense of the conflict before him. I could see the battle raging within him, torn between his trust in me and the doubts planted by Garret's words.

Garret took advantage of the silence and stepped closer to Callan, a self-assured smile on his face. "Lord Callan, I assure you, Lady Heversham is not mentally secure at the moment. She's been playing a game with us all, manipulating situations for reasons I can not fathom, even going so far as to involve Lord Hudson. I never expected her to resort to violence. I was merely trying to understand her better."

Callan's gaze hardened as Garret continued to weave his tale of deception. The doubt in his eyes seemed to grow, and I could sense his internal struggle intensifying. Maybe he would believe me?

I mustered the courage to speak, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and desperation. "Callan, please, you have to believe me. Garret is twisting the truth to suit his own agenda. I would never attack him without reason."

Vishka's Guidance System

Callan Heversham

Likeability: 8% (-2%)

Callan's jaw tightened, his grip on his Jian never wavering. Flashes of my second death coursed through my mind as I fixed my gaze on his hand holding the weapon. Callan turned his attention back to me, his piercing eyes scrutinising my vulnerability.

"Lord Asher, on behalf of my sister, I apologise for any discomfort you may have experienced," Callan spoke through gritted teeth.

"Cal-" I tried to intervene, but Callan's glare silenced me.

"I implore you to forgive her on this occasion." Callan continued as Garret smirked at me, satisfied.

Callan's words pierced my heart like a dagger. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. How could he side with Garret, someone he barely knew, over his own sister? The pain and betrayal cut deep, and I struggled to hold back tears of frustration.

"Callan, you can't be serious", I pleaded, my voice trembling. Why had I even hoped he might believe me? Of course, he wouldn't.

Garret, revelling in his victory, stepped even closer to Callan, a smug expression plastered across his face. "Lord Callan, your forgiveness and understanding are truly admirable. I am confident that once we are married, Lady Heversham will come to see the error of her ways and embrace her role as my wife."

Callan scrunched his face, tightening his grip further on his Jian. "If you will excuse me, Lord Asher, I will speak to Lynette regarding her behaviour."

"Of course, Lord Heversham", Garret grinned. "Please do make sure she is well. I fear I may have hurt her when defending myself."

I saw Callan's eyebrow twitch as he strode towards me. "Lynette, come with me", he muttered, grabbing my forearm.

I felt numb. My legs followed him as Callan dragged me away from the camp into the darkness. I watched his back as he took me away from the brigade towards a small clearing empty of people. What was he going to do? What more was there to say to me? He must think I am deplorable for attacking Garret. I'm surprised he had kept so calm all this time.

He stopped when we reached a raised ridge of dirt beside one of the wheat fields, releasing my arm. He turned to face me, his face filled with rage and a mix of other emotions.

I prepared myself for his anger.

"Lynette, why did you admit to attacking him!" Callan shouted, his voice filled with a mixture of frustration and disappointment. His words hit me like a slap, and I stumbled back, taken aback by the intensity of his reaction.

"I... I didn't," I stammered, my voice barely a whisper.

"Yes, you did" Callan's features softened for a moment. "You said you wouldn't attack him without reason. In other words, you did attack him," he sighed, shaking his head.

"I was trying to defend myself! To tell you the truth, but you wouldn't listen" I widened my eyes as Callan aggravated his breath.

"I would have listened. Why do you think I came over?" Callan raised his hands, frustrated.

"Then why did you take Garret's side!" I clenched my fists as confusion swirled in my mind.

"Because", Callan began, looking at me hesitantly. "I did not want the situation to worsen. If Garret took it any further, then it would be his word over yours, and.." he paused, biting the inside of his cheek. "You haven't exactly got a good track record."

"So what, you think I did attack him?" I crossed my arms over my chest, taking another step back away from Callan. Of course, he would think that.

"That's not what I said" Callan frowned, his lips thinning as he looked at me conflicted. "You know as well as I do there is no evidence for either side. I wanted to diffuse the situation without risking you going to trial for attacking another noble. Lynette, will you tell me what happened?"

"What?" I widened my eyes at his request.

"Just tell me what happened. I want to hear your side" Callan looked uncomfortable as he shifted on his feet. "I want to listen."

I stared at him, a little shocked. He wanted to listen to my side? But Callan never cared for anything I had to say. He always assumed my actions and reacted based on his quick judgments.

Tears welled up in my eyes as a mix of relief and disbelief washed over me. I had grown so accustomed to being dismissed by Callan that the idea of him actually wanting to hear my side of the story felt foreign and almost surreal.

Callan reached out toward me as I wiped away a stray tear, and I didn't flinch as he rested his hand on my shoulder, gently squeezing it.

"I know there is a lot I have to make up for, but let me try" he pursed his lips.

I took a deep breath and tried to compose the swirl of emotions in the pit of my stomach.

"Alright," I whispered, a faint slice of trust edging into my heart. I may as well tell the truth. What was there to lose at this point? I explained how Garret had approached me, his attitude and actions towards me, my struggle to free myself from his grip, and my fear of his aggressive words. Callan's expression grew furious as I spoke, his grip on my shoulder tightening.

"That little son of-" Callan snarled as I finished. His reaction made my chest harden.

"Y-you believe me?" I asked, hesitant, and he released his grip on my shoulder. Callan's eyes softened as he looked at me, his anger giving way to concern.

"Yes, Lynette, I want to believe you," Callan said earnestly. "I won't make the mistake of not trusting you again."

New tears swelled as he spoke.

"Why?" I asked, my disbelief still ricocheting through me. Why was Callan like this? Why did he believe me now of all times?

Callan stilled at my question. He removed his hand from my shoulder and instead gently gestured for my hand. I gingerly let him take it as his fingers inspected the growing bruise on my wrist.

"I didn't know what my lie did to you about Mother's necklace" his eyebrows drew close as his voice lowered.

"Why did you do it?" I whispered, wanting to know his reasoning more than anything. It had plagued me for three lifetimes. Maybe now, I could finally get answers.

"I-" Callan faltered as he looked up from my wrist, capturing my gaze in his grey eyes. "I was never happy Mother gave you her necklace. When I saw how grief-stricken Father was at her passing," Callan sighed as his fingers moved from my wrist to my palm, "I wanted to lessen his grief, perhaps even mine."

His words hung heavy in the air as I struggled to process the weight of his confession. Callan's actions had been the catalyst for my pain and suffering all these years, and yet, here he was, admitting he had lied. It was a moment of vulnerability I had never witnessed from him before.

"I didn't consider what accusing you of stealing it would do", Callan continued, his voice tinged with regret. "I thought I was protecting Father. He would have given you something else of Mother's anyway. So what did it matter if you didn't have her necklace?" He sharply laughed cynically and shook his head. "If I hadn't seen your plate before we left Talbour, I probably wouldn't have believed you on the cliff" he twitched his lip. "What you said-" Callan paused, his hand tightening for a moment around my wrist.

"It was foolish of me to think that accusing you would have any positive outcome. I was clouded by my own selfishness and jealousy, and I didn't consider the consequences of my actions. I'm sorry, Lynette. I truly am" Callan's voice held a mix of remorse and sincerity. "Just how much have I missed of your words? How many things have been the truth that I perceived as false?" His eyes hardened, never breaking from mine as his own frustration leaked. "I've questioned many things since our conversation yesterday."

I stood there, still processing his words, my hand in his. It was a lot to take in, but a part of me wanted to believe that he was genuine and truly regretted his past actions.

"Callan, I... I appreciate your honesty," I finally managed to say, my voice shaky. "But it doesn't change the fact that your actions caused me immense pain and suffering. I've carried that burden for so long."

He nodded, his gaze downcast. "I know I can't undo the past, Lynette. But I want to make amends. I want to be a better brother to you. I want to earn your forgiveness," he sighed.

Tears streamed down my face as I looked at him, my heart torn between the lingering hurt and the flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, things could change between us.

"I don't know if I can forgive you yet, Callan", I admitted, my voice choked with emotion. "I never did receive anything else of Cassandra's" I meekly smiled as Callan's eyes widened.

"What? But surely Father gave you something?"

"No, Roger didn't give me anything. He said I didn't deserve it after.." I left the words unsaid as Callan's expression changed to disbelief.

"Lynette, I.." he took my hand and pulled me forward. My body fell into his as he wrapped his arms around me in an awkward embrace. I stilled at the action; not once had Callan ever embraced me.

For a moment, I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. Having Callan's arms around me felt strange, offering comfort and support. But deep down, I yearned for that connection with my brother, for the bond that had been strained and broken for so long. I had always yearned for it.

Slowly, I relaxed into his embrace, allowing myself to feel the warmth and security it offered. The tears continued flowing down my cheeks as I let out a sob, releasing the pent-up emotions weighing me down.

Callan held me tightly, his grip strong yet gentle, as if afraid to break me further. So we stood there, wrapped in each other's arms.

"I'm sorry, Lynette", Callan whispered into my ear, his voice filled with remorse. "I'm sorry for everything I've put you through. I never should have doubted you in the past."

His words pierced my heart, and I could feel their sincerity. It was a step forward, a step towards healing the wounds that had festered between us for so long, but my anger and pain still lingered in my heart.

"I want to believe you, Callan", I murmured, my voice muffled against his shoulder. "But it will take time. I need time to heal and process everything."

"I understand", Callan replied, his voice filled with understanding but also a strain I wasn't familiar with. "I will give you all the time you need. Just know that I will make it up to you."

As we stood there, holding onto each other, I couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope. Hope that maybe, our fractured relationship could be repaired. It wouldn't be easy, and the scars would always remain; I don't know if I can ever just forgive him with his words alone. However, perhaps we could find a way to move forward, to rebuild the bond that had been shattered.

Vishka's Guidance System

Callan Heversham

Likeability: 12% (+4%)

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AUTHOR NOTE

Curious what you think about this one. What's your opinion of Callan after this?