Reborn To Change My Fate-Chapter 327 - Three Hundred And Twenty Six

Liam’s hand paused in the air. He frowned.

Derek continued, his voice ringing out with supreme confidence.

"I have already informed the Crown Princess," Derek revealed.

The title hit Liam like a physical punch to the gut.

"I sent a messenger to Princess Dahlia before I rode here," Derek explained calmly. "I told her that my wife and I would be visiting your residence tonight to resolve a private matter. She expects us to return home safely."

Liam’s face turned totally pale. The bruise on his cheek suddenly stood out sharply against his white skin.

He remembered Dahlia’s cold, dead eyes from that very afternoon. He remembered her terrible threat. If you dare drag my name into your filthy scandals again... I will burn your residence until there is nothing left but ash.

Dahlia already hated him. She had already pulled her father’s spies away from his command.

"If anything happens to us tonight," Derek asked, his smirk growing wider as he saw the absolute terror form in Liam’s red eyes. "If the Grand Duke and Duchess of Denver disappear inside your walls... do you think this matter will end easily? Do you think Princess Dahlia will believe it was an accident? She will march her father’s army through your front gates by morning."

Liam glared at Derek. His chest heaved up and down. He hated Derek more than anything in the world, but he knew Derek was telling the truth. Dahlia was looking for an excuse to destroy him. Killing Derek tonight would be political suicide.

Derek took another step forward, pressing his massive advantage. He lowered the ledger slightly, holding it casually by his side.

"If this ledger is presented to His Majesty, the King, what do you think would happen?" Derek asked. He spoke slowly, making sure Liam understood the gravity of the situation. "You would be stripped of your royal titles. You would be thrown into the deepest, darkest dungeon. Your allies in the West would be slaughtered and you will be executed."

Derek pointed his sword directly at Prince Liam.

"Would you truly risk all your power, all your wealth, and your very life..." Derek paused, letting his dark eyes burn into Liam’s soul. "...for a woman who is not yours?"

The courtyard was dead silent. Only the sound of the wind and the falling snow could be heard.

Liam stood frozen on the steps. His mind was racing wildly. He looked at Marissa, feeling her soft body against his. He wanted her. His obsession, his lust for her was a burning sickness.

But then he looked at the dark leather ledger in Derek’s hand. He thought about his crown. He thought about the executioner’s block. The choice was painful, but it was obvious. His greed for power was always stronger than his lust.

"You dare threaten me?" Liam hissed. His voice was shaking with anger and defeat.

"I came alone tonight simply to propose a trade with you," Derek replied reasonably. He knew he had won the mental battle. "Release my wife, and I will give you the ledger. There is no loss for you."

Derek outstretched his hand with the book again.

"I get my wife safely back," Derek promised. "And you have your precious evidence safe with you. You can burn it in your fireplace tonight. Nobody dies. Nobody goes to the King. I trust you know the right thing to do to save your own life."

Liam pondered for a while. He chewed on his lower lip. He looked at the forty guards who were watching him, waiting for his command.

He looked at Ashlyn, who was trembling in the shadows. He was trapped, and he knew it.

"How do I know," Liam finally asked, his voice filled with deep suspicion, "that the evidence in your hand is the real thing? It could be a blank book with a leather cover."

Derek did not argue. He tucked his longsword under his left arm to free his right hand. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

He opened the heavy leather ledger. He flipped past a few pages until he found the middle section. He grabbed a thick piece of parchment paper.

Riiiiiiip.

The loud sound of paper tearing ripped through the quiet night air.

Derek tore a full page straight out of the book. He closed the ledger and held the single ripped page out into the falling snow.

"See for yourself," Derek offered calmly.

He looked at one of the royal guards standing closest to him. Derek nodded his head toward the man.

The guard hesitated. He looked up at Prince Liam for permission. Liam gave a short, angry nod.

The guard slowly lowered his sword. He walked carefully through the snow, approaching the Grand Duke. He reached out with a trembling, gloved hand, took the piece of paper from Derek, and quickly backed away.

The guard turned around and practically ran up the stone steps. He stopped a few feet away from the Prince, holding the paper out with both hands, bowing his head.

Liam needed both hands to read the paper properly in the dim torchlight. He realized he could not hold Marissa and read at the same time.

Liam let out a frustrated growl. He pushed Marissa away from his chest.

He grabbed the arm of the guard standing closest to his right side. He practically threw Marissa into the man’s arms.

"Hold her," Liam ordered harshly. "Do not let her move."

The guard grabbed Marissa firmly by her arms, holding her in place on the top step. Marissa stumbled but quickly regained her balance. She kept her eyes fixed firmly on Derek, drawing strength from his calm presence.

Liam snatched the piece of torn paper from the other guard’s hands.

He held it up toward the light of the nearest wall torch. He narrowed his red, stinging eyes and began to read the fast, sharp handwriting on the page.

His eyes scanned the first few lines. Then, they stopped moving.

His eyes widened in absolute, pure fear.

The paper listed the exact dates of the shipments from the West. It listed the precise amount of Mercian gold hidden in the Strathmore Cathedral. It even listed the names of three rebel leaders Liam had secretly met with. It was completely accurate. It was deadly.

Liam’s hands began to shake violently. The paper rattled between his fingers. He breathed in short, panicked gasps.

In a sudden burst of panicked anger, Liam crushed the paper. He squeezed it into a tight, messy ball in his fist.

He looked down at Derek standing in the snowy courtyard. His bruised face was twisted with desperation.

"Give me that ledger!" Liam demanded, shouting at the top of his lungs. He pointed his shaking fist at Derek. "Give it to me right now!"

Derek stood tall. He grabbed his longsword again, resting it calmly by his side. He held the thick leather book up high in the air.

"Give me my wife!" Derek roared back.