the Villainess they took for granted

Chapter 28: Chapter 28: The Wrong Man

For several long seconds after Adrian and Elena disappeared down the trail, Marian remained exactly where she was.

Staring.

Like an idiot.

The autumn wind tugged at her riding jacket.

Cold.

Sharp.

Unpleasant.

Or perhaps that was simply her mood.

Around her, the stables continued buzzing with activity.

Horses stamped their feet.

Servants hurried between riders.

Nobles chatted excitedly about hunting routes and competitions.

Life, apparently, continued.

Rude.

Marian exhaled slowly.

Then turned around.

And immediately regretted it.

Cassian Ashford stood several yards away.

Leading a black stallion.

Watching her.

Wonderful.

Just wonderful.

Of course he had seen that.

Of course.

Because apparently the universe had decided she needed an audience for every humiliating moment of her life.

For one brief second, neither moved.

Then Cassian inclined his head.

A simple greeting.

Nothing more.

Marian returned it.

Because she was still a lady.

Unfortunately.

As she watched him approach, another realization struck.

Cassian Ashford looked unfair.

That was the only word for it.

Entirely.

Completely.

Profoundly.

Unfair.

Dark riding clothes.

Tall boots.

Black gloves.

A horse that probably cost more than a small estate.

The whole thing felt excessive.

No wonder half the Empire lost its collective mind around him.

Marian immediately became annoyed with herself.

This was hardly the time to notice such things.

Frankly, it was offensive.

"Lady Marian."

"Your Grace."

Cassian’s gaze flicked briefly toward the trail Adrian had taken.

Then back to her.

A pause.

"You appear disappointed."

Marian stared.

"You possess astonishing powers of observation."

The corner of his mouth twitched.

"I do my best."

She should not have found that amusing.

Yet somehow she did.

A terrible sign.

Cassian adjusted the reins in his hand.

"I assume His Highness was abducted by duty again."

Marian barked out a laugh.

Unexpected.

Short.

"Abducted is one way to describe it."

The laugh faded quickly.

The bitterness remained.

Cassian’s expression softened slightly.

Not pity.

Thankfully.

Marian hated pity.

Understanding.

Which was somehow worse.

Because she liked it.

A deeply unfortunate development.

Before the conversation could continue, another group of riders approached.

The morning excursion was beginning.

Cassian glanced toward them.

"I should rescue my horse from making enemies."

Marian looked at the enormous black stallion.

"The horse?"

"The horse."

As if on cue, the stallion flattened its ears at a passing rider.

Marian laughed.

A real laugh.

Cassian looked suspiciously pleased about it.

Then he mounted his horse and rode away.

Leaving Marian standing there.

Thinking entirely too much about the interaction.

Which was irritating.

Very irritating.

The ride began shortly afterward.

Groups spread through the forest.

Some nobles pursued game.

Others simply enjoyed the scenery.

Marian found herself riding beside several young ladies from court.

Normally she would’ve enjoyed the conversation.

Today her attention kept wandering.

Against her will.

Repeatedly.

Unfortunately.

Because every so often she would catch sight of Adrian ahead.

And Elena beside him.

Not close enough to be improper.

Not close enough for gossip.

Just close enough.

Always close enough.

At one point, Elena’s horse stumbled slightly over a root.

Nothing dangerous.

Nothing serious.

Yet Adrian immediately turned.

"Are you alright?"

The concern was automatic.

Immediate.

Instinctive.

Elena smiled.

"I’m fine."

Adrian visibly relaxed.

Then they continued riding.

As though nothing had happened.

Marian looked away.

A strange ache settling beneath her ribs.

Because she remembered a time when Adrian’s attention had worked exactly like that.

For her.

The realization hurt.

Far more than she wanted to admit.

Later, during a rest stop near a stream, the riders dismounted.

Marian wandered away from the group.

Seeking silence.

Seeking dignity.

Neither was particularly successful.

She stood beside the water for several minutes.

Listening to it flow over the rocks.

Trying to clear her head.

It wasn’t working.

Nothing seemed to work lately.

"Lady Marian."

She didn’t need to turn around.

She recognized the voice immediately.

Which was probably another problem.

Adrian approached slowly.

For once, there was no Elena.

No ministers.

No aides.

No interruptions.

Just them.

Like it used to be.

The thought hurt.

"Can we talk?"

Marian stared at the stream.

Then laughed softly.

Not because anything was funny.

Because she was tired.

So very tired.

"Now?"

One word.

Adrian visibly flinched.

Good.

Because they both understood what she meant.

Now?

Now that the morning was over?

Now that Elena was elsewhere?

Now that duty was finished using him?

Now?

For a moment Adrian said nothing.

The silence stretched.

Long.

Fragile.

Then:

"I deserve that."

Marian looked at him.

Properly.

For the first time all morning.

And to her surprise—

he looked tired too.

The realization did not make her feel better.

Unfortunately.

"Marian—"

The way he said her name almost weakened her resolve.

Almost.

"I’ve been trying."

The words escaped him before he could stop them.

Trying.

Marian’s expression changed immediately.

Because that wasn’t the right thing to say.

And they both knew it.

Adrian realized his mistake the second the words left his mouth.

Too late.

The distance between them suddenly felt wider.

Colder.

More dangerous.

Somewhere deep in the forest, a hunting horn sounded.

Neither of them moved.

Neither looked away.

And for the first time, Marian had the distinct feeling that something was about to break.

She just didn’t know which one of them it would be.

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