Grand Duke Cajarte

Chapter 2

The maids are busy packing my things inside a suitcase. My dreary eyes followed the stacks of my own luggage piling up. And then it hit me.

I'm really going to marry Grand Duke Alcide.

It was dawn, the sunlight is starting to reflect on the clouds turning it into yellow-orange. The birds were singing, celebrating for a new day. The smell of a warm breakfast prepared by our chef infiltrate my nose, guess I won't be able to eat his cook from now on.

When I look at myself in the mirror with the cloth covering my bare shoulder and wearing only my white nightgown, I can't help but to noticed the dark bags around my eyes.

"You look pale Miss," the maid commented while brushing my hair.

I couldn't sleep anymore. How can I? When time is running so fast. My heart is beating so loud. The more seconds pass by, my death is approaching.

And before I blink my eyes, the door suddenly open causing for us to turn our heads to the rude person who arrived. She stormy walk closer to me with her soft slippers on. Surely, her piercing fiery eyes will make a hole on my body.

"Is it true?"

"Alliyah..."

"You're leaving?"

I avoided her stares. Even I don't want to leave and rather take all the harsh words of our parents. But I can't and this is a cruel world.

"Then I shall come with you."

"No," I firmly replied. Her thick eyebrows met. Alliyah is kind, she is not suited to come along with me in Arello. She's too good for a sister and I realized that when I can't fly into the dreamland.

Perhaps the reason why I can take all the blames for her. I hold no grudge against her and I treat her just like a real sister. Now, I'm wishing that by marrying the tyrant Grand Duke will make her life happier.

I don't care about our lands nor the wealth. By all means, she can have it if she wants. As long as she smiles without having wrinkles on her forehead then my heart will be at ease.

My eyes turned soft. I long to be like her.

"Sister! You will marry Grand Duke Alcide. I know you heard quite a few rumors about him. You will not go," she demanded blocking the path to my wardrobe.

"I don't have a choice Alliyah," I sigh.

"Should I go there instead and marry him?"

I froze. 

Not believing that I blurted yesterday night of what she said today. I must be delusional due to lack of sleep. Hearing it from her own mouth was like a ridiculous idea that my conscience should devour me alive.

"You're fourteen, you can't marry yet."

Hating to admit, but father was right. If ever, I will not be able to glance her brightest smile than the star because of my selfishness surely, I will hate myself.

When I was done changing into a simple dress, I could still hear Alliyah's voice insisting while following me outside of the gates of our manor. The butlers carried my luggage and place it at the back of the carriage.

"So, this is a goodbye?"

She sniffed and her eyes turned puffy when her tears slowly fell down. Nose that became pinkish and her shoulders that won't stop shaking. From the inside of my pocket, my clean handkerchief wiped her teardrops.

"Stay alive, okay?" she begged.

I nodded. "The best that I can."

Yet, she cried even more. "Don't forget to write me a letter."