Villains also get Second chance

Marianne POV

"Mother, how is your health now?"

"I am a good son, thanks to the medicine you forced me to take." I replied in an accusing voice.

"There there, don't pout, it's good for your health, here have this pie, it is sweet, I promise." he added and I was dumbfounded, Cassius chuckled and I glared at him.

"Why, he is right, the pie is sweet." he added as the maid took a big piece and added it to my plate. I just cut it hard as if I was pricking this man who was laughing at me.

"Mother, I heard that you had a dance with father yesterday?" asked Killian and I nodded as the last night passed through my eyes, and so did the promise of leaving both of them in a few months.

"Would you like to have a dance with me, today?" he asked with red ears and I smiled.

"No" came the sharp voice before i could even accept his invitation,

"Why?" we both asked together as we looked back at him.

"Because, we all should sit and talk." came his quick reply.

"We were talking all this time." I replied, did he suddenly go crazy again!

"I mean, we had to discuss an important matter." he added, trying to be serious further.

"Is there something matter that we need to discuss father?" Killian asked, falling into his trap, this man just could not see us happy together.

"Ah, yes. I wanted to discuss about the marriage anniversary, it's only a week is left, do you have any requirement, as i was planning to start sending invites from tomorrow." he asked and i held the fork tightly,

Should I follow my plan, things have changed. I was angry with him that time, because of his betrayal, but now that he had accepted everything in the open and even took my side in front of Isabella, should I still insult him in front of everyone. And it would even hurt my parents and Killian, right?

"Marianne" he called and I looked at him.

"Do you still not want to celebrate?" he asked a worried voice.

"Why is mother still angry with you father?"

"Pardon"

"What did you do this time?" he asked in such an accusing tone that I was having a hard time controlling my laughter.

'That's my baby, my warm blanket.'

"What do you mean by that, I did nothing." he said and then he looked at my face uncertainty as if trying to confirm what he said, which made Killian glare at him further.

I coughed and they both looked at me, "there is nothing like that, so how would you like to celebrate the anniversary Killian" i asked.

"Are you serious?" he asked, astonished. "We should be the one to decide." 

"Why, didn't you say that you wanted to discuss it with family?" I asked , tilting my head.

"Mother, i would like to have a dance party, we will dance like last time."

"But you have not debuted yet" he said and I furrowed my brows.

"But coming for the age ceremony is for attending the dance parties officially, a noble can still attend the parties at his palace." how could he not know that!

"Fine, but i should be the one to have the first dance." he deadpanned, and we nodded, as we did not want to further drag the argument.

But the man was not silent, whenever we tried to decide over things, he continued to interfere in a grumbling manner.

It was a headache to handle him on family dinners, thank goodness it ended peacefully at the end.

"Marianne"

"Yes, your highness"

"I am going for a walk, would you like to come?" he asked suddenly.

"Ah, no. I am tired, I would like to take a rest.`` I replied and he nodded.

"Alright, then i will be out till late, see you in the morning." he added as he walked in the opposite direction.

"Good night mother," said Killian, hugging me as he also left.

Since he was going for a walk, shall I go into the office and check the files? If anyone would see me there, I could always make an excuse that I went there to pick Killian's file which I had given him in the evening.

Though it was a bit risky, it was the best chance, at other times, it would only be riskier.

I fidgeted with my dress as I took quick steps towards his study, hoping that Francis would not be there. The further I walked the further my mouth felt dry.

I looked around, when i reached the study, the whole area was darker than i had expected, shouldn't there be a few candles still burning. But I was glad, because it would make my work easy.

I walked towards the table touching things around as I was not very sure where I was going. Thank goodness, I reached there in my second trial.

I swiftly took the file as I remembered its place clearly and looked around. There was no way I could read the file in this darkness. But if I would take it with me, there are high chances I would not be able to put it back in its place before Cassius arrived in the morning.

I tried to find the switch to lighten the chandelier, it took me a minute to find the switches, but before I could press the key, the room filled with brightness.

My eyes squinted before getting adjusted to light. But my brows furrowed. I was not the one who had switched on the light then…

"Is it enough or you need further lighting, Marianne." i heard the voice and all the hairs of my body stood up, it felt like my heart leaped out of my ribcage. My legs turned heavy and my palms turned sweaty. 

No matter how this situation was seen, I was no less than a thief in this position.

"Do you need further help, my dear wife?" came his mocking voice just behind my ears as I closed my eyes.