A Song of Roses

CHAPTER XI

My tears could not be held back as I ran to my chamber. My hand covered my mouth to keep the sobs from escaping. The guards watched in concern as they called after me, but I ignored them and hurried inside, closing the door and locking it behind me. My heart was in tatters as the realisation of the truth sank in. I could not bear the sight of anyone at that moment and locked myself away to deal with my misery on my own. "Foolish, such a foolish girl," I uttered, scolding myself as tears fell down my face. I had been foolish in believing that William loved me, and the pain I felt now was the consequence of my foolishness. I had let myself fall in love with a lie, and now I was paying the price for my stupidity.

"It is an arranged marriage after all, Anna,"

my inner self said. I had tried to change him and win his affections, but I had failed. William had never loved me, not truly. "People like him don't love; they only use," I muttered to myself, my mind filled with bitterness and anger at his betrayal. William had used me as some kind of plaything to keep himself entertained. The realisation hit me with a sharp, sudden impact. "Last night..." I murmured, my heart sinking into my stomach as a memory from the night before suddenly resurfaced in my mind. A memory of a moment of tender intimacy with William, which now seemed tainted with deception and falsehoods. William had succeeded in wooing me with his kind words and tender actions, but I had failed to make him fall in love with me. And now, the moment that seemed so special has been tainted with betrayal and lies.

I couldn't stop my sobbing as I sat on the bed, remembering the moment in which I let myself believe that he had genuinely cared for me. The moment in which he held me in his arms and kissed me passionately was the moment in which we had made love. It all felt so real.

But now all I could feel was bitterness and regret.

"Princess? Princess, are you alright?" Alina's voice broke through the silence, and her gentle knock echoed. Her concern was a stark contrast to all the pain and sadness I felt in that moment. I sniffed and tried to slow my breathing as my tears began to dry, but I knew that my face must be an utter mess. "Anna, dearest, did something happen?" Alina spoke behind the locked door, her tone full of empathy and concern. I hesitated for a moment before finally mustering the strength to answer her. "I'm... fine," I forced out, my voice still hoarse from all the sobbing I had done. "Can you at least open the door for me?" Alina pleaded, her concern for my wellbeing evident behind her voice. I slowly unlocked the door and opened it a crack, not yet ready to reveal myself in my vulnerable state. Alina stepped into the chamber and moved to my side instantly. "Princess! What has happened to you? Did you fall? Are you ill?" Alina exclaimed as she stepped closer to me. She began to inspect my features, looking for any apparent signs of injury or illness. Her brown eyes burned with concern as she peered deeply into my face, trying to ascertain the source of my sorrow. "The guards told me that they saw you crying in the halls." "Lies." I muttered, "What?" Alina asked, visibly confused at my sudden denial. "It was all lies. William does not love me; he only used me," I whispered with pained acceptance, and Alina let out a small gasp of shock and disbelief. "But I thought," Alina whispered, struggling to form the words as shock and surprise filled her expression. "You told me to change him, woo him, and make him fall in love with me, but...but I ended up the one falling." I whispered, and my voice choked with disappointment as the truth hit me.

William had never loved me, but I had fallen for him without realising that his feelings towards me were only a facade to mask his true nature. I had allowed myself to believe his words and let my heart be swayed by the hope that he would love me back. "Did he tell you that?" Alina murmured, understanding finally dawning on her face as she processed the truth. "I heard him; he said it himself to his mother," I whispered. I recalled the words he had spoken in a moment of fury towards his mother.