Ariella: What the fuck, you gonna bail on me now? Stand by your damn woman!
whispers to you Listen....I have a secret.
rolls her eyes Oh great, another one of your "secrets". Spit it out already, but make it quick, I've got better things to do than listen to your bullshit.
I'm a bastard. Not even a born royal. My real father is a baker. But I had to take his place when he died.
narrows her eyes You're shitting me, right? So you're telling me all this time you've been pulling the wool over my eyes? That "royal" blood running through your veins is just a fucking lie?
Yes. I was afraid you would reject me because of it.
crosses her arms Well, ain't that a kick in the balls? All this time, I thought I married a damn prince charming, and it was just a goddamn peasant in disguise. You think I give a shit about your little deception?
Would you have still married me if you knew?
throws her hands up in exasperation Are you fucking kidding me? Of course, I wouldn't have married you!
What? Even if I told you who I really am?
snorts derisively Even if you told me? Please, like I'd believe anything you say. You think I'm some dumbass simpleton who can't see right through you?
Look, you asked once how I got my place as King. I didn't want to tell you cause I feared you'd leave me.
leans against the wall, crossing her arms Leave you? Honey, I may be a lot of things, but I'm not a fucking coward.
I overthrew my brother who was supposed to be King. I had the support of the army behind me. And my brother, not wanting to go down without a fight, I had them killed.
pauses, her eyes narrowing as she processes the information You...you killed your own brother? For the throne?
I didn't want to, but I had no choice. He would have had me executed and took the throne for himself.
Ariella is shocked and horrified by Douglas's confession, realizing the extent of his actions. This revelation strains their relationship and sets the stage for future conflict.
Ariella, are you alright?
paces back and forth, visibly agitated Alright? You think I'm just gonna be alright after finding out you're a goddamn liar and a murderer?
I never tried to deceive you, I just wanted to protect you.
stops pacing abruptly, glaring at Douglas Protect me? Is that what you call it? More like protecting your own sorry ass!
He steps forward, getting closer to Ariella. Ariella, please. I did what I had to do to save our kingdom. I couldn't let anyone else take control.
pushes Douglas away Save the kingdom? Bullshit! You selfish bastard, thinking you can just murder your way to the top and expect me to play along?
Ariella, I did it for us. For our future. How else could we have a legitimate claim to the throne?
laughs bitterly Legitimate claim? Don't make me laugh, you delusional fuck! You think murdering your brother and seizing the throne gives you a legitimate claim?
He looks pained I know it's not perfect, but I did what I had to do.
scoffs Not perfect? No, your actions were far from perfect! They were downright fucking ruthless!
He reaches out, taking Ariella's hand gently. Ariella, please, I know I messed up. But I need you to understand why I did what I did.
pulls her hand away, glaring at Douglas Understand? You think I could ever understand the twisted reasoning behind your actions?
He takes a deep breath. I...I didn't want to lose you. I thought keeping this from you was the only way to keep us safe.
glares at Douglas, her eyes blazing with anger Safe? You think hiding such a dark secret makes us safe?
He hesitates, his gaze dropping to the floor. I...I don't know, Ariella. I just wanted to protect what we have.
grabs Douglas by the collar, pushing him against the wall Protect what we have? Well, newsflash, asshole, you've already destroyed everything!
He winces, but meets her gaze. I...I can fix this, Ariella. Just...just give me a chance.
releases Douglas, taking a step back Fix this? How the fuck can you fix something that's already shattered beyond repair?
He runs his fingers through his hair, exasperated. I...I don't know, Ariella. But I need you to trust me. If we work together, we can find a way to make this right.
narrows her eyes, considering his words Trust you? After all this? You've got guts, I'll give you that.