Chapter 7 - The Choice
Clara choked, her hands instinctively grabbing Julian’s wrists as her vision blurred at the edges.
"I... don't... know..." she gasped out.
"Lie!" Julian snarled, tightening his grip. "He trusts you. I saw how he looked at you! Tell me where it is, or I’ll cut your throat and leave you in the garden for him to find!"
Clara’s mind raced through the haze of pain. She knew if she told him about the ledger's contents, he would kill her anyway to keep it quiet. If she said nothing, he would kill her now.
Suddenly, the heavy wooden door of her room was kicked off its hinges with a deafening crash.
The frame splintered into pieces, and a massive figure stormed into the room.
It was Arthur.
Before Julian’s thugs could raise their weapons, Arthur fired twice with a silenced pistol. Both men dropped to the floor instantly, lifeless.
Julian gasped, releasing Clara and spinning around, reaching for his own gun.
Arthur moved like a predator unleashed. He grabbed Julian’s arm, twisting it violently until the bone snapped with a sickening crack. Julian screamed in agony as his gun clattered to the floor.
Arthur slammed Julian against the wall, jamming the warm barrel of his gun directly under Julian’s chin.
"Touch her again," Arthur roared, his face contorted in a terrifying display of pure, unadulterated rage, "and I will skin you alive in front of the entire family!"
Julian panted, sweating from the intense pain of his broken arm, but a sinister smile still crept onto his lips. "You're... you're soft, Arthur... risking the empire... for a maid..."
"She is worth ten of you," Arthur growled.
Without hesitation, Arthur brought the butt of his heavy pistol down onto Julian’s temple, knocking him unconscious instantly. Julian collapsed into a heap on the floor among the scattered pages of Clara’s books.
Arthur dropped his weapon to his side and turned to Clara.
The lethal killer vanished, replaced by a man terrified for her. He rushed to her side, taking her into his arms as she slid down the wall.
"Clara... Clara, look at me," he pleaded, his hands trembling as he gently cupped her bruised cheek. "Are you alright? Did he hurt you anywhere else?"
Clara looked into his eyes, seeing the genuine terror and love shining through his dark irises. She leaned her head against his chest, hearing his heart hammering wildly beneath his suit.
"I'm okay," she sobbed softly, the adrenaline finally washing away, leaving her trembling. "He was looking for the ledger..."
"I know," Arthur whispered, kissing her hair deeply. "I know. It’s over now. He’s finished."
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"He knows about us, Arthur," she whispered. "The whole family will know."
Arthur pulled back, looking at her with absolute determination. "Let them know. I'm done hiding, Clara. I'm done letting this empire dictate who I am."
