Chapter 16: A Fractured Encounter
"Father, it hurts," I could barely speak, my grip on his sleeves tightening as I hid myself behind him.
"Bernice, what happened?" His voice sounded worried, but I continued looking at him, peeking from behind. Yes, it’s him – Alexavier Agnes, my husband, the young Duke of North.
"Father, let’s go. I’m not feeling well," I stuttered, but before we could move away...
"Marquis Kael, what brought you to the temple?" He noticed us.
"Oh, Duke!" Dad seemed to have expected him.
"Oh, Lady Bernice is also here," he remarked, though his expression remained unchanged – the same poker face I’d grown accustomed to after months of our marriage.
"Greetings, Lady Bernice," he greeted me, but I couldn’t even utter a word. The pain from my past experiences was still vivid in my memory.
The first night haunted me. Darkness engulfed everything. The mansion was eerily silent. No one informed me that he wouldn’t be coming. There was no explanation. A week passed, and I waited, foolishly hoping for his presence.
"Bernice, this isn’t what I taught you!" Father’s voice broke my thoughts, but I struggled to form words.
"I-it w-was n-nice t-to m-meet y-you, Y-young D-duke A-Alexavier," my words barely came out coherently.
"Bernice, what’s happening to you?" Father inquired, his concern evident.
"Lady, do you feel unwell? Shall I take you to the doctor?" He reached out to touch me.