"What are you talking about?"
I looked at my father in disbelief. He is still pushing all of this through.
With my watery eyes, I sarcastically smiled. "Father, I know that you are the one behind those attacks in the highlands. You have given them a map and instructions on how to access the northern road. You gave them the direction on where to see the path and where it would lead. There have been attacks at the highlands. Luckily, I was there to stop them from rummaging through the Laird's entire manor."
"How did you know that? Did they tell you anything?" He looked flabbergasted.
I scoffed, "It doesn't matter, father! The point here is you are a high ranking official. You are the duke of the people! Yet you committed a great betrayal. You sold off, not just me but the entire country. Is our ancestry not important to you, father? How could you do such treason with ease?"
"I did it for you! You knew that you could only get the crown when either you are of age or you get married."
"And you expect me to believe that? Father, I will be turning 22 two months from now. Can't the crown wait? There are so many threats around me, yes, I know that because since mother left us, all her responsibilities were given to me. I eat threats for breakfast everyday. I have assasination attempts almost every week. Now it is just two months away! Besides, if the intention of you forcing my hand in marriage is pure, you would choose a noble man from our own people rather than the people whom we had feud with for generations!"
I felt my father's slap on my cheek. "How dare you refuse a marriage I proposed, myself?"
He uttered the next sentence word by word with deep emphasis, "You are a disgrace!"
I heaved a couple of deep breaths. "You finally said it."
I ran away from the library. I could hear my father's voice calling me from behind but I did not stop. He totally changed! Ever since my mother died, he has become distant towards me. Sure, there is still love and hope and care he gave me but the warmth was not there anymore. Now I do not know what has gotten into his mind, but this is too much.
As I was running the staircase, I bumped onto a person. I closed my eyes bracing for an impact.
Luckily, that person had stopped us from falling down the flight of stairs. His other hand held my back for support to avoid falling.
"What happened?" I opened my eyes only to meet Fergus' worried ones.
"You took a long time, so I decided to follow you and talk to your father about the attacks on the highlands."
I released myself from his grip and pulled him outside the manor. I brought him beside the stables where there are usually no workers and servants around. I let go of his wrist and looked at him.
"Why did you bring me here? I still have something to say to your father."
He was about to leave when I held his wrist again in an attempt to stop him. He looked at me and I shook my head in despair.
"There wouldn't be a chance, Fergus. I talked to him earlier about my marriage, and upon talking, I also brought up the issue of the Maclean clan. He is just indifferent to it. Instead of worrying about the clan, the only thing he asked is who told me those. Probably because it is true that's why he wants to know who told me, who told us. He is already consumed by the thought of marriage that nothing else matters other than that."
Fergus held both of his waist and paced in front of me with little steps. Clearly, he is thinking something deep. He then stopped pacing, faced me and held both of my shoulders.
"Then what should we both do now? If your father cannot help us, then who will? If your father is indeed behind all of this, who would strongly oppose him? Surely even the general of the defence won't be on our side. Your father holds much power that is meant to be yours, but you cannot access them for now. Our sources are limited."
I looked up at him and whispered. "You've underestimated me, Laird Fergus."
His brows met in confusion.
"The king shall help us. After all, he is my mother's brother. He wouldn't let anything happen to his niece much more to the country he had been protecting all his life. I do not know who my father's accomplice is for him to successfully hide this to the king, but we will end it. We will seek protection from the king and both your clan, and all of my people will be saved from falling into the hands of those blood thirsty sassenachs."
He bit his lip hard and let go of me. Soon, he nodded. "Alright, lead the way, your highness."
I smirked at him and sneaked into the stables. When I was sure that no worker was around, I released Storm and Fegus' horse from the stables. We left the premises silently, and by dusk, we had reached the palace. I looked up to the enormous palace of Holyroodhouse.
I heard Fergus' call from behind. "Is this the place?"
"Yeah, the palace of Holyroodhouse. The place where the king of Scotland is residing."
When we entered the palace grounds, some guards stopped us. Fortunately for me, there were some who noticed my presence and informed those who stopped us that I am also from the royal family. All of them were shocked, of course. Although it was announced that I would assume the title of my late mother, I was never shown to the public. My face remains hidden as they only knew about my name.
In a blink of an eye, we were already inside, kneeling to the throne in front of us.
"My king, we have come to seek refuge and beg for your kindness to provide us shelter."
"My dear niece, to whom are you seeking refuge from?" His old strained voice said.
"My father." I then told him everything. From how my father has changed, to his sentiments into marrying me with the sassenachs. I also told him the part where I left home and stayed with the Macleans. I never skipped any details even up to my latest quarrel with my father.
"King Malcolm, I have come to beg you. As the Laird of the Maclean clan after my father's passing, I bow down in front of you and am willing to kiss your toes. Help my clansmen and save them. There is only one town left. The clans of highlands have disappeared and their lineage has ended one after another. Maclean is a gem to Scotland, I do not want our bloodline to have a miserable end."
"Ah, young Laird! I have known your father. He is indeed a great warrior. Worry not, I shall send some of my troops to guard your place. There will be no betrayal happening."
Fergus nodded and thanked him solemnly.
"As for you my dearest Lizzy, I'm afraid I have not yet got any solutions to your problem. I am terribly crestfallen by your father's actions. He was a good man, but never did I expect him to turn out into something like this. The only thing I could think of now is for you to find someone to marry and I shall immediately grant for you to assume the position the day you wed."
I smiled, "But be careful. You are a royal. No matter how much you try to avoid the public, they will soon know about you and you must find someone who is pure in his intentions. Someone who would lead with you, not lead ahead of you."
I nodded disappointedly, "I do not want to wed. Is there no other option?"
The king sadly smiled at me. "I am afraid, there is not."
Fergus' voice interrupted us. "Then I'd propose myself to be the possible prospect of the Duchess' marriage."
"Young man, marriage of royals is never a joke. You are binded with it for life. I can sense you are a good man but think of it carefully."
Fergus stood up with seriousness, "I am indeed sure my King. I have spent years yearning on how to protect my people. I have spent years helping my kinsmen train for them to serve this country. I would much like to protect my motherland as much as her highness Victoria protects it."
Fergus then looked at me with sincere and serious eyes.
"I would rather sacrifice my marriage to protect the people of my clan, and the people of this country as well. I am not forcing you nor pressuring you, but if you wish to assume your position immediately, then consider me. Marry me."