Emerald Seas

Chapter 8

'I'm alright.. now' were the first words Cutler heard from Kate in years, her voice had not changed, still as soft and lovely as ever. But she was a grown woman now and it fit her well, she had become even more beautiful through the years. And now the eyes he had seen in many of his dreams were strange to behold once again in real life.

It was for moments earlier he was having a conversation with Lord Ashwood, Lord Galway, and some of the other noblemen. Business as usual. Cutler did not particularly enjoy balls, not that he hated them but it always was an opportunity for desperate fathers to present to him their daughter's hand in marriage. He didn't need a wife to secure his future or be married into a good family since he had made himself rise through the ranks of the Company faster than anyone probably ever had, he made success for himself. There once was a woman, he could not forget her, she kept entering his dreams, his thoughts. They had a history together, and she once loved him for whom he truly was. But that was a long time ago. So he got himself the reputation of not accepting any marriage proposals, but still, people did not care, they still tried. He had turned around annoyed to the tall man in the brown wig, with a desperate look in his eyes. He wanted to tell him to go and get off but his words got stuck in his throat once he saw the face of Lord Florence. The man who had paid him great insult once. But he possessed something, or rather someone, that the most power and expensive treasures in this world could not go against. When Lord Florence spoke her name he was forgetting about his anger to the man and only wanted to make sure if Katherina was here with him, if she was alright. For he had not heard from her in years.

Cutler now outside in the gardens of the ballroom had to snap out of the strict and serious man he usually showed himself as in presence of other people. He swore a long time ago never to be vulnerable or weak again, but he didn't want to hide his true self when being with Kate. It came close to a decade since they last spoke.

'Why did you never write?' Kate whispered quickly. It was like the question had popped from her lips even before she could say anything else and she felt the need to rush her hands in front of her mouth before she'd speak her mind again so quickly. But her hands stayed down on her lap where they touched the fabric of her silken dress that gleamed in the moonlight. Kate had asked the question despite being so afraid of the answer, but she had to. A question that had been haunting her thoughts for years. Her eyes lowered, the skin of her fingers becoming pale as she squeezed them together nervously. It was quiet, awaiting his answer she swallowed expecting the answer she was so afraid of, but nothing came. Allowing her eyes to look up again she saw an astonished expression on Cutler's face.

'Kate, I have sent you countless letters, twelve to be exact, one every month for a year' Cutler's voice spoke the shortened version of her name and it made her heart jump, for a moment it felt like the old days. Finally getting the answer she waited for, but it was an answer to a scenario she had not yet conceived herself. She was pleasantly surprised by his answer but could not cope with what had happened to the letters. Even more scenarios shifted through her thoughts. Her eyes moved through the gardens, a few strings of her curls danced upon the wind and she rose from her place on the stone bench. Cutler waited for an answer in return for some time now and watched her get up. Her hand placed before her open mouth and she let out a sigh of disbelieve.

'My father' Kate's voice sounded disappointed. She had realized there could only be one scenario of to why she never got the letters back then. A lot of mixed feelings raged through her mind, being utterly disappointed by her father. How could he ever do something so cruel? First separating a young couple from loving each other after almost losing their lives, and after that taking away their only way of keeping in contact.
But for the first time in years, after shutting it out with all her might, she dared to let Cutler enter her thoughts and heart again. He did send her letters. With that thought, her lips formed a careful smile.