Alice sighed, glancing toward the trees. “She’s just a bit upset. She’s takin’ time to adjust to all of this—to ye both bein’ here.”
Helena nodded slowly. “She doesnae have to like me. I dinnae expect that from her.”
Alice smiled gently. “It isnae about likin’ or dislikin’ ye. She’s young, and she feels things deeply. She was alone for a long time before Alexander found her, and she’s loyal to him—perhaps more than anyone else.”
Sophia tilted her head. “She’s like family to him, then?”
Alice nodded. “Aye. She and Alexander have been through so much together. They care for one another. He’s always been her protector.”
Sophia let out a breath. “It’s odd but… moving, I suppose.”
Alice turned her attention back to Helena. “Dinnae take her hostility to heart. She isnae the forgivin’ type.”
Helena absorbed those words, feeling their weight settle in her chest.
Before she could reply, movement in the forest caught her eye. Alexander emerged from the trees, his strides long and purposeful. Felicia trailed behind him, her steps slower, her head bowed.
Even from a distance, Helena could see the redness in the girl’s eyes, the slight puffiness around them. She had been crying.
Helena felt a strange pang in her chest—an ache she could not quite name. She wanted to speak, to say something, anything, but the words would not come.
Felicia lifted her head, her eyes locking onto Helena’s for a brief moment, before looking away again. Helena swallowed hard. She wanted to comfort her. She just did not know how.
“What’s wrong, Felicia?” she finally asked, reaching out to put a reassuring hand on the girl’s shoulder.
Felicia immediately batted away her hand, lifting her head to glare at her through the tears streaking down her freckled face.
“Ye!” she sneered, earning a glare from Alexander and a shocked look from Alice. “Yer clan! Ye’ve taken everythin’ from me through this stupid war. If it wasnae for yer kin, I wouldnae be alone! The Laird and his kin are the only family I have kenned since I was little. Ye took me family from me, and now ye’rehere to take the only thing I have left! It isnae fair! Ye’ve taken everythin’!”
Helena listened quietly, shocked but not upset with the girl. She pitied her. The loss Felicia had experienced at such a young age was not fair. Nothing Helena said now would change it, wouldn’t make the loss of her family any better, she knew that. The anger she felt was directed at her father for pursuing this fruitless war for as long as he had, at herself for not taking matters into her own hands sooner.
“Apologize, Felicia,” Alexander ordered harshly once the girl was done speaking, his eyes narrowing.
“That’s nae necessary,” Helena whispered, not wanting to shame the young girl.
“I think it is,” Sophia interjected, and Alice bit her lip. “Me niece has nothin’ to do with her faither’s decisions, just like she has nay control over yer Laird’s decisions. Yer anger is misdirected. Ye should show more respect to yer lady.”
“Auntie…”
“That’s nae quite fair either,” Alexander responded, his irritation growing.
“Just stop!” Helena snapped, glaring first at him and then at her aunt. “The lass has every right to feel the way she does.” She then turned back to Felicia, looking her right in the eye. “Nothin’ I cansay will make up for the loss of yer parents, I ken that. But I’ve lost people, too. Family. Me maither, me braither, me cousin. I dinnae completely understand what ye’re goin’ through, and I willnae claim to. I still have me faither and me aunt to turn to.”
The girl sniffled, refusing to look at her.
“I ken the loss was great, but somethin’ good came after, aye? Alexander took ye in and has cared for ye ever since,” Helena continued.
A deafening silence fell over them, and she decided she had to change the subject.
“Will ye tell me how ye came to be at the castle?” she asked gently, despite already knowing the answer.
Perhaps if Felicia chose to open up to her, they could start building a better relationship.
Felicia considered Helena’s words carefully before nodding.
Helena motioned for her to sit back down on the blanket, the food forgotten. Sophia and Alice sat next to one another, and Alice poured Helena a cup of wine as Helena offered Felicia some fresh water.
Alexander remained at a distance, sitting on the ground only after Alice shot him a disapproving look. It wasn’t until he sat and Felicia took a sip of water that she began speaking.
