psithurism

x: the truth untold

"Papa!"

Charlotte's cry brought me back to reality. She jumped off my arm and ran toward her father. Kuya also stopped hearing my daughter and I immediately pulled him away from the duke.

His Grace stood up and brushed the dust off his shirt before standing up. Instinctively, my brother covered me with his body.

"Let me talk to my wife." My heart skipped a beat when I heard what he called me.

"You don't have a wife, duke. I'm sure you saw the divorce paper my sister signed," Kuya replied.

"What divorce paper? You mean that I burned on the campfire?" the duke replied.

"What did you say?" I pulled my brother when he was about to attack again.

I looked at a nearby handmaid and mouthed my daughter's name. She immediately understood and pulled my duaghter inside.

"My sister wants to be free from your marriage, you fool! It's the only thing she asks for— to be away from a monster like you!"

I wanted to chastise my brother but why should I? My grip faltered and he advanced toward the man. He gripped on his collar tightly.

"My sister went to me, past midnight, crying! Do you have any idea how hard it was for me?! I sent my sister to a marriage without a single idea I'm setting her up for eight years of misery! All she ever felt was pain when she was with you! What right do you have to show yourself in front of our house, saying you want to have her back?!"

I started crying hearing my brother's ultimatum. Everything was too much, too overwhelming. I felt arms wrapping around me and I inhaled a familiar scent.

"Get off my wife, you motherfucker!" I heard His Grace cussed. I was about to step back but Sir Valerian didn't let me.

I looked up at him and he gave me a kind smile before leaning down to kiss me on the cheek, leaving me shocked. I heard the duke shouting and cursing in rage but my eyes are too focused on the friend I made.

"Leave my place now, Vandecois," Kuya said coldly.

"Not without my wife." I looked at the two when I heard the duke's voice crack.

My brother sighed before looking at me. He seemed so done with our unwanted guest. "Send him off, Naomi," he said and went inside.

I felt a hand squeeze the fist I didn't even know I was clenching. I sighed before looking at the duke who was staring at me with longing.

"Let's go back home, wife, please," he pleaded.

I looked away before turning my back on him. "W-We are done, Your Grace. Please leave our residence." With that, I entered the mansion while he shouts my name, pleading me to come home with him.

A week had passed and the duke didn't come back again. For some strange reason, I felt a hollow in my chest. I thought maybe he will chase after me, continue to beg, but why would he do that? He's a duke. He's lot of other things to do than to chase an ex. It was silly of me to assume.

I am now with my brother, sipping tea in the garden while watching Charlotte read in the garden when a knight approached us.

"Your Excellencies."

The two of us turned to a panicking knight who looked like he had ran a marathon. He took a deep breath before giving us a report that made my heart feel hollower than what I was feeling a minute back.

"His Grace, the duke of Vandecois is outside the mansion again, wishing for an audience with the duche— lady."

I looked at the knight. It's actually Ivan, my brother's assistant, butler, and knight.