Garden Of Poison

Anastasia and Marianne had stepped into one of the spare rooms, locking the door so no one would enter. Watching the tears fall from her elder sister’s eyes moistened her own eyes, and she pulled her sister in for a hug, rubbing her back to console her.

"If I could, I would take your sorrow away," Anastasia said with a frown. "I am sorry that it turned out this way."

Nothing could be done about it, not even by Marianne, who had claimed that the second Blackthorn prince was in love with her. Being set up by parents was one thing, but fate bringing the woman meant to be Prince Maxwell’s wife into his life was quite another.

Marianne’s chin rested on Anastasia’s shoulder as more tears spilt from her eyes when she closed them, trying to calm herself. Sniffing, she pulled away from her younger sister and wiped her cheeks. She said softly,

"Feels like luck has refused to stay on my side. I knew I could never become his wife, even before this happened, because of the difference in our status, but I was ready to settle for being his concubine. I was happy with that. I would have been happy... He loved me, Anna. No matter what anyone else says, I know he did, and I loved him back with all my heart. He cared for me more than a man would for a woman like me. But in one moment, everything changed," Marianne stared into space as she said those words. "And now it hurts so much that I cannot breathe..."

Anastasia wiped her sister’s cheeks and consoled her, saying, "God might have a different plan for you, Mary. There might be someone else out there for you. Someone who will not leave you behind because some soulmate came by."

Marianne shook her head, and said, "That’s not how it works, and I don’t blame him. I want to, but I cannot. The soulmate connection comes from the Crux, and one cannot deny or look away from what is written in their destiny. It will draw the person back to where the other is. I want to be happy for Prince Maxwell, for meeting his destined person..."

Anastasia looked around, and when her eyes fell on a jug of water, she poured some into a glass and brought it to Marianne, offering it to her. She said,

"Destiny is what we make, sister. Maybe not Prince Maxwell, but one day you can have someone who will dote on you." Anastasia didn’t want to pressure her sister to think about leaving the palace with her now that she was hurt and in pain. But she indirectly let Marianne know that her life could be better.

Marianne’s eyes were staring into space, and then she asked, "I will be fine, won’t I?" There was doubt in her voice.

Anastasia rubbed Marianne’s arm and nodded, "Eventually, you will be, and you have me. My love for you will always be here, so do not doubt yourself, Mary. You have a good heart; you are kind, sweet, and deserve the world."