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And I know that the only reason he would do that would be because he was up to something. I cross my arms and try to stare at him so hard that he combusts. It doesn't work.
"King Francis has ruled Solvaria for many decades," Alex explains. "But before he took the throne, he spent time in America. During that period, this woman knew him well."
I stare at Aunt Lily’s face in the bright sun, trying to read it for clues. It seems impossible that Aunt Lily even knew a king, much less wascloseto one, but the look on her face when she saw Alex was unmistakable.
"When he returned home, Francis was betrothed to another to preserve the royal lineage," Alex continues while reaching into his pocket. "But he made a promise that he would always love one person until his dying day. And that person was Lily Adams."
He pulls an old photo out of his pocket and hands it to me. I see a girl that could definitely be Aunt Lily when she was younger. She's sitting in the grass with someone who looks just like Alex. They're holding hands and smiling.
Lily doesn't say anything. Her eyes are wet and lost in a memory.
A wave of anger floods through me. Aunt Lily means more to me than anything in the world. Seeing her hurt is more than I can bear. Knowing that people have been tracking her and buying up land just to get close to her makes me sick to my stomach.
"So what?" I flick the photo away, and it lands in the dirt. "Your uncle had a crush on my Aunt Lily and never got over it. Why should we care?"
Alex looks at me with confusion. All the goodwill we had built by the river has disappeared. He tries to keep his composure as he answers.
"Because the King may not be long for this world. His health has been deteriorating for several months now."
I eye him suspiciously, but the emotion in his voice tells me that this is the truth.
"So, he called on me to seek out Lily Adams," Alex continues. "His first love, maybe his only true love. He wants to see her. Just in case it should be the last opportunity."
I snap at him. "So, you've been stalking her for months then, have you? You've built a fake ranch so you could spy on her. You probably have a dozen secret photos you can send to your uncle if he wants to see her. It’s a wonder he hasn’t sent black ops in the night to take her."
Alex winces at the suggestion of impropriety. "I understand this may seem unorthodox."
"It seems sick," I reply. "That's the word you were looking for."
"Nevertheless," he says. "I am here out of my love for my uncle. And out of his love for you, Lily. Please."
Aunt Lily's eyes dart between Alex and the dusty old photograph. Her lips part as if to form a response, but no sound escapes. Her heartache, as visible as the sun in the midday sky, leaves her speechless.
"Lily," Alex pleads. He reaches out to gently touch her arm, but before he can make contact, I've already stepped between them.
"No, Alex," I interrupt, my voice steady despite my rage. "You've said enough. I think it's time for you to leave."
He tries to lock his dark eyes on mine. "Bella."
"Isabella,” I correct him.
Revoking his privilege to call me Bella finally convinces him that I'm serious. I step forward and get right in his face.
"Get on your horse and get off my land."
Overcome by emotion, Aunt Lily picks the photo off the ground and turns away. She clutches the picture close to her heart and starts to wander toward the house.
Her movements are slow and unsteady as if she's still waking from a horrible dream. The back of her faded dress flutters in the wind as she disappears through the doorway.
As Alex makes a move to follow Aunt Lily up to the house, I quickly step in his path, blocking his way. His eyes plead with me, but I remain resolute. There is a tense silence. I refuse to go anywhere.
"Isabella, stop and see things from my side," Alex calls out. But I'm not in a forgiving mood.
I run to the front entrance and slam the screen door shut, then lock it. I make sure he can still hear me.
“Youtry to be the one who thinks about someone else for once. Can't you see what you're doing to Lily? That woman took me in when I had no one else. She treats me as her own flesh and blood because that's the kind of person she is. The kind of person you could never be because you only care aboutroyal affairs."
I add a special flourish to the end of the sentence.
