I DIDN'T EXPECT THIS FATE.....OR RATHER THE CURSE

Part 5

Dukes pov:

That night, I chose to sleep beside her, even if it was against her will. In her room, I gently held her hand, and thoughts of my mother flooded my mind. Despite accusations that I had caused my parents' deaths, the reality was different. My father met his demise when my mother, enraged upon discovering his infidelity, took matters into her own hands. Subsequently, my mother succumbed to pneumonia. During my last attempt to connect with her, she cursed me, proclaiming that I would only perish once I understood the essence of true love. The maids insisted that her disdain for me stemmed from my resemblance to my father.

Over the decades, I lived as a youthful and formidable warrior, garnering fame. Initially, and even now, I believed I could thrive without the need for love. With this conviction, I left her room with a trace of guilt. Embracing my father's misguided notion that "women are just toys to use and throw," I resolved to conform to his perspective on love.

Laura's Perspective:

I sensed his departure from my side, an anticipated event that somehow carried a different expectation. Even though my restraints were removed, it didn't grant me true freedom. Contemplating a stroll outside, I donned my shawl and slipped out of the castle unnoticed. Making my way to the garden, I encountered a swarm of butterflies circling a ring – my ring! Realizing I must have dropped it from the balcony, I retrieved it.

Seated in the garden, my gaze turned to the sky, and my thoughts once again drifted to my father. Each day, the same recurring nightmare haunted me – my mother and he engaged in conflict because of me. Determined to seek answers, I decided to confront him. Strangely, the treatment I received during my years of confinement seemed preferable to the treatment I endured here. It was evident he harbored a dislike for me, contrasting sharply with His Majesty, who, even if driven by the value of my eyes, considered me worth something. Lost in these reflections, I was jolted back to awareness by a gentle breeze. Yet, upon closer observation, it wasn't merely a breeze; I could sense something more.

Despite my initial wariness, I allowed my guard to drop, and alas, I fell into the hands of those who sought to seize me. In the blink of an eye, I found myself on the outskirts of the kingdom. Anxious about my father's possible reaction, I kicked and commanded my captors. I refused to embody the stereotype of a fragile lady, incapacitating most of them with my resilience. Yet, in a moment of vulnerability, one of them dared to grab me from behind.

The audacity of such inappropriate contact enraged me, and I swiftly put an end to it by twisting the offender's neck. Taking charge, I ordered the driver to return me to the palace. However, my vigilance remained, and I spotted one of my captors concealing a knife. Seizing the weapon, I coerced the driver into complying with my demand to return.

Back at the castle, I witnessed the duke setting off for his duties – the morning had arrived. Seeking solace, I ventured into the garden, feigning a casual stroll before the looming threat of confinement once again became my reality. Amidst my despair, a tap on my shoulder sent shivers down my spine, yet when I turned around, there was no one to be seen. Though startled, I chose to overlook the incident.

Entering the castle discreetly through the backdoor, I prepared myself to meet my father. Clad in a casual-looking gown, I ventured into town, grappling with the awareness that disliking my treatment might be perceived as selfish, even though I seemed to hold no apparent value. Notably, there was no acknowledgment or gratitude extended my way, even after saving his life.

Upon arriving at His Majesty's castle, surprise engulfed me, and second thoughts about the bold decision I had made began to flood my mind. As I trod towards the throne room, a determination to do whatever it took to return overcame me. Even within my confinement here, I found solace in conversing with various people, especially a particular nanny who visited daily with a medkit, treating me with the normalcy that I craved.

Lost in contemplation, I once again felt a tap on my shoulder. This time, when I turned around, I was met by the intense gaze of the Duke. An awkward silence hung between us before he sternly inquired about my presence. Guiltily, I expressed my desire not to continue living with him, as I felt my existence served no purpose. With a heavy heart, I then made my way to my father.

As I narrated the situation to him, I found myself sobbing, driven by the fear of loneliness. Witnessing my tears, he appeared deeply affected. Fidgeting, he questioned whether I would return, even if it meant facing confinement in the dungeon with restraints. Unwaveringly, I replied with a resolute "yes."