Echoes of a Shattered Heart

Clack… Clack… Clack. A rhythmic click of shoes echoed across the hall as Linda made her way through and opened a room adorned with luxurious décor.

Swish. Sunlight streamed into the room, illuminating it and causing the figure in the bed to groan and turn in their sleep.

“Good morning, Lady Deonisia,” Linda chirped, pulling the covers away. Sia blinked open her eyes, her expression dazed. “Did you sleep well, my lady? Any discomfort?” Linda asked as she tidied the bedcovers and helped Sia sit up, still half-asleep and staring blankly.

Before Sia could muster a reply, Linda had already begun assisting her to stand and prepare for the bath. “We must hurry, my lady. The Duke and your brother will finally be returning after so long. The Duchess has ordered that you be dressed appropriately, as there will be guests to entertain.”

“Guests?” Sia asked, blinking sleepily.

“Yes, my lady. Little Duke Enrique will be staying with us before he departs to claim his inheritance and the title of War Hero, ascending to the position of Grand Duke,” Linda said with a smile as she brushed Sia’s hair with water, then scented oils.

Sia blushed a deep crimson at the mention of Enrique’s name. For as long as she could remember, she had been enamored with him—he, who had never glanced her way; he, who had always been the object of her unwavering affection and devotion.

How she wished he would see her once more, as he had when they were children, playing innocently and free from society’s prejudices.

“Do you think he will remember me fondly?” Sia asked, her tone filled with childlike innocence.

“Of course, my lady. Who in their right mind wouldn’t adore you?” Linda reassured her with a warm smile as she dried Sia off.

“My lady, this was supposed to be revealed in front of everyone, but I’ll tell you now—there have been marriage talks between you and Lord Enrique, initiated by the King,” Linda said, grinning at Sia’s wide-eyed shock and blush.

“Really?” Sia asked, disbelief etched on her face as she turned to Linda.

“Yes, my lady. Nothing is set in stone, but for now, you are considered the best candidate to stand beside him as his equal.”

“But… he liked someone else, didn’t he?” Sia murmured, staring at her reflection and recalling the time she had confessed her feelings to him at the academy. He had politely refused, saying he already held someone precious in his heart.

She remembered how she had pined for his affection, even as it was directed elsewhere. Despite the rejection, her love never wavered, and she found joy in loving him from afar.

“No, my lady,” Linda’s voice snapped Sia back to the present.

“What do you mean, Linda?”

“The lady Lord Enrique cared for married the Viscount of a neighboring kingdom at the King’s behest. She accepted it fairly well, my lady. She even had a child earlier this year.”

“How cruel… Does Lord Enrique know? He must have been heartbroken!”

“No, my lady. This was done without his knowledge.”

“Poor Enrique. He will bear such heartbreaking news upon his arrival,” Sia whispered.

“Fear not, my lady. I am certain he will be mesmerized by your beauty and forget about that ungrateful brat in no time. All I wish for is your happiness.”

Skeptical yet hopeful, Sia prepared for her day.

Meanwhile, deep in a forest…

Inside a carriage, a man stared out of the window, lost in thought. “Just a few more days, and I’ll be with you again, Laverna. No one can separate us.”

At the manor…

“Announcing the arrival of the Duke of Gredwall and Little Duke Richard!”

Sia and her mother rose to greet the Duke as maids and servants lined up for the welcome.

Descending from the carriage, the Duke immediately embraced the Duchess and Sia, holding them both tightly as though to confirm their presence. “Oh, how I missed you, Anastasia, and you too, my dear daughter. How have you fared?”

He gave the Duchess a longing kiss and placed a gentle kiss on Sia’s forehead. “I see my daughter has grown quite a lot in these years, hasn’t she, Richard?”

“Quite beautifully, Father,” Richard replied with a grin, approaching to hug his mother and Sia.

“Oh, how I missed my little sister. How have you been? Everything well?”

“Yes, Brother. I’ve been counting the days until your return,” Sia said, smiling coyly.

Ahem.

The clearing of a throat drew their attention to the figure standing beside them, awkwardly waiting to be introduced to the ladies of the family.

“Oh, forgive me, my lord,” the Duke said hastily. “Allow me to introduce you to my wife, Anastasia, and my daughter, Deonisia. She attended the same academy as you.”

“Good day, Lord Enrique,” the Duchess greeted him, extending her hand.

“Good day, Duchess,” Enrique replied, taking her hand and placing a courteous kiss on its back before turning to Sia.

Taking her hand, he kissed its back while locking eyes with her.

For Sia, the moment their eyes met, the world seemed to stop. Her heart raced faster than a galloping horse. His ocean-blue eyes, once filled with innocence, now held a fierce intensity—a darkness lurking beneath their light.

In that moment, she knew she wouldn’t remain the same.

“You became my ruin the moment my eyes met yours,” she thought