Echoes of Valor: A Love Remembered

CHAPTER 17

The palace gardens, usually a sanctuary of tranquility, now echoed with the tumultuous emotions of its occupants. Alessandrea's footsteps, quick and purposeful, crushed delicate petals beneath her boots as she strode towards the iron-wrought gates.

"Reya, wait!" Terry's voice, tinged with desperation, called out behind her.

She halted, her shoulders tense, but didn't turn. "What is it, Your Grace?"

The formality stung Terry more than he cared to admit. He closed the distance between them, his breath coming in short bursts. "Please, let me explain."

Alessandrea whirled around, her eyes blazing. "Explain what, exactly? How you accused Matthias of taking advantage of me? How you questioned my loyalty?"

"I didn't mean—"

"Oh, but you did." Her voice dripped with venom. "Every word, every accusation. You meant them all."

Terry ran a hand through his hair, frustration etched on his face. "It wasn't like that. I was... I was scared."

"Scared?" Alesandrea scoffed. "The great Duke of Southford, scared?"

"Yes, scared!" Terry's composure cracked. "I come back after a year, thinking I've lost everything, only to find you... with him."

"With him?" Alesandrea's eyes widened in disbelief. "Matthias was there for me when you weren't. When everyone thought you were dead. When I thought I'd lost you forever."

Terry flinched at her words. "And I'm grateful for that, truly. But seeing you two together, so close..."

Alesandrea shook her head, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. "You have no right to be jealous. No right at all."

"Reya, please—" "—just hear me out," he pressed, taking a step closer. The tension thickened like a storm cloud.

"No." She cut him off, her voice firm. "You don't get to disappear for a year, waltz back into my life, and then act like a possessive child." Terry clenched his fists, frustration boiling beneath his skin. "I never left by choice. You think it was easy for me? Every day away from you felt like a punishment."

"Then come back and confront me like a man, not by tossing out foolish accusations." She stepped back, her wall of resolve re-emerging.

Terry's face fell, the weight of his actions finally sinking in. "I know. I'm sorry. I just... I couldn't bear the thought of losing you."

"And you think this is the way to keep me?" Alesandrea's voice softened, but the hurt remained. "By doubting me? By insulting my honor and Matthias'?" Terry's heart sank further, the crushing realization of his mistakes weighing heavily on his shoulders.

"I know I hurt you," he murmured, his voice quieter, almost pleading. "I was wrong." Terry's voice was barely above a whisper. "I let my fears cloud my judgment."

Alesandrea turned away, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon. "It's not enough, Terry. Not this time."

"What can I do?" Desperation colored his tone. "Tell me how to make this right."

She faced him again, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Give me space. Let me breathe."

"You're leaving?" Panic flashed across Terry's face.

"I need time away from... all of this." Alesandrea gestured vaguely around them. "From the palace, from the politics, from..."

"From me," Terry finished, his voice hollow. "Yes," Alessandrea said, her tone unwavering. "I need to figure out who I am without you looming over me like a shadow."