Just like Ophelia [eng]

CHAPTER FOUR:

Despite the growing pressures, Elina and Adrian's love blossomed like a resilient flower in an open field. Their stolen moments became treasures, and the touch of their fingers became a silent language that conveyed the depth of their feelings.

But the world, as often happens, took a turn they hadn't foreseen. Adrian's fate had taken a bitter turn. A misunderstanding, fueled by whispered words, led to Adrian's exile from the village by order of Elina's father. Elina's heart shattered, and the radiant tapestry of their love was torn.

(Elina's father, Lord Alaric, was a man of deep tradition and pride. He had grown up in a time when marital arrangements were often based on political alliances and financial advantages, learning to view marriage as an act of strategy more than love. During his youth, he had seen alliances crumble and hearts break, and he had sworn to protect his daughter from the same suffering he had seen in the past and experienced himself. Indeed, his marriage to Elina's mother was a purely arranged one by their parents to forge an alliance between Lord Alaric's village and Roccaflora. Over time, he grew accustomed to married life and even developed genuine and pure feelings for his wife, who, however, did not reciprocate his love and treated him coldly. When she died after giving birth to Elina, his heart shattered, and he decided to prevent the same suffering from befalling his dear daughter. And although he knew that Elina and Adrian's love was mutual, with no arrangements involved, he selfishly chose it was the right thing to do.)

The news of Adrian's exile casted a dark shadow over Roccaflora. It was an evening when the village seemed shrouded in heavy silence, broken only by the rustling of leaves and the murmur of the river. The air, usually full of life and the scent of flowers, now felt charged with tension.

Elina had learned the truth about Adrian's fate… and couldn't help but feel a lump in her throat. What could she do? How could she go against her own father's decisions? So, she went straight to her father, Alaric, to discuss the situation and try to change his mind. Her steps were uncertain as she walked through the castle corridors, and her thoughts became increasingly confused. The candles along the walls cast dancing shadows that seemed to reflect the chaos of her thoughts.

Adrian's initial reaction to the news was a mixture of anger and rebellion. He vented his frustration, seeking answers, doubting everything and everyone. Incredulity merged with disappointment, a sense of injustice, and sadness. However, amidst these tumultuous emotions, there emerged a fierce determination. The flame of love for Elina burning in his heart flared brighter, but not for this reason did he intend to fight against the unjust fate.

So, Elina spoke to her father, looking at him with desperate eyes: «Father, you cannot do this to me. Adrian should not be exiled. He has committed no crime.»

Alaric looked at her with sadness in his eyes but also with firmness: «Elina, I have made this decision for your own good. Adrian and you cannot be together. He is not suitable for you. I was wrong not to realize the situation earlier.»

The room emanated a scent of leather and paper when, at that moment, Adrian entered the palace throne room. His face was dark, and his eyes reflected bitterness. In his hands, he held a cord that prevented him from moving them; Alaric had taken this precaution in case Adrian intended harm to his precious daughter. He was wearing Roccaflora's traditional attire, but it looked more tattered than usual, as if the news of his exile had shaken him deeply.

«I've heard everything, Lord Alaric, so I don't need further explanations and apologies. I know you'll never change your mind.»

Elina approached Adrian, trying to comfort him. Her skin was as pale as the petals of a white rose, and her eyes were swollen with unshed tears.

«I can't let you go without a fight, Adrian. Is there something I can do, someone in your old village we can turn to?»

Adrian smiled weakly. «Thank you, Elina. But I have accepted my fate. I don't want to put you and your father in danger. It will be hard to be without you, but I will find a way to survive out there.»

Alaric rose from his throne and approached Adrian. His face, marked by the wrinkles of age and the weight of difficult decisions he had to make, contrasted with the young and carefree look of the boy: «Adrian, you must understand. I don't want you to marry my daughter. You are not suitable for each other.»

«He's already said that, sir» Adrian responded without fearing the consequences of his words. Adrian looked at Alaric with incredulous eyes as he continued speaking.

«Lord Alaric, I understand that you are concerned, but my love for Elina is sincere. I never had any intention of hurting her.»

Elina was devastated by her father's decision not to change his mind despite the commotion that was brewing in the room. That room, the same one where Isabella rejected his love.

«Father, you can't do this! I am genuinely in love with Adrian, and I don't want to lose him.»

This is what she would have wanted to say, but she chose to remain silent for Adrian's sake, not to turn the exile decision into a public execution. The office walls seemed to close in as tension escalated. Adrian felt trapped in a whirlwind of emotions, and the future seemed dark and uncertain.

Alaric sensed Elina's feelings and looked at her to speak to her: «Elina, you must understand that I am doing this for your own good. The world out there is dangerous, and Adrian is not suited to protect you.»

«Are you?» Elina grew angrier after every word her father spoke.

«Don't you dare, Elina. Be silent!»

Adrian was increasingly shaken by Alaric's decision; he knew he was a man of tradition but didn't expect it to reach this point. However, this didn't stop him from continuing to speak. His voice trembled slightly as he responded: «Mr. Alaric, if this is your decision, then I will leave. But now my heart belongs to Elina and I will never stop loving her.»

Elina couldn't hold back her tears as she rushed to embrace Adrian. Their clothes mingled in the tight hug, and their love seemed even stronger in the face of inevitable separation.

«I will always love you, Adrian, no matter what distance separates us.»

So, amid tears and broken hearts, Adrian was forced to prepare for exile. Alaric's decision had separated two loving souls, but it hadn't broken the bond they had shared. Alaric had a tightness in his chest; he felt as if he were jealous of their love, a love he had never had the chance to experience. But despite this, his sense of guilt grew minute by minute in the depths of his heart.