Emily felt like a heavy boulder had co crashing down from the sky, crushing her hopes and dreams of a future with Noah. In re seconds, his words shattered their shared vision of building a life together.
The knight wore a sombre expression as he looked at her.
"If you knew about this... then why did you propose?" Emily asked in a bitter tone.
Tears welled up in her eyes, ready to cascade down her cheeks. Anger, frustration, and unbearable sadness flooded her heart.
Noah reached out and pulled her into his arms.
"Because I love you, Emily. I love you so deeply, and I want nothing more than to marry you and start a family. There could never be anyone else for ." His voice trembled with raw emotion as he confessed. "You have no idea how much I despise myself for not being able to have you."
Emily’s tears fell freely as she grappled with the agonising reality that their love was dood. She knew he ant every word, but the fact that they could never be together tore her heart to shreds.
"It’s been two years," Noah said, his frustration palpable. "I’ve searched everywhere but can’t find any leads or signs of who’s responsible. At this rate, my case will be buried, and I’ll forever be seen as a sinner."
"This is so unfair!" Emily cried.
"It is! Honestly, I’ve been jealous of seeing others happy with their loved ones. I’m human, too, with the sa desires and feelings. If they can find happiness with their choices, why can’t I?" Noah then scoffed, his disappointnt etched on his face. "You’re right here before my eyes, yet I can’t hold you as I want to. How cruelly ironic."
Emily wiped her tears, rembering the stern disapproval she had seen on Eric’s face when the second-in-command knight confronted Noah. The other knights, who held him in such high regard, would undoubtedly support his decision. There seed to be no path for them to be together.
"Perhaps...you should just forget about ," Noah said, his shoulders slumping as he released his grip on her. He turned around and took a few steps away. "Find a good man who deserves your kind heart and can make you happy. Just... forget ."
"No! Never!" Emily exclaid, rushing to him and embracing him from behind, her tears flowing anew. "I can never let you go, Noah! How could you ask to find another? Don’t you know I’m madly in love with you, too?" She cried. "I’ll do anything, everything! Even if I have to beg and crawl to His Highness, I’ll do it as long as we can be together!"
"No, Emily," Noah cut her off. "His Highness is firm in his decision. I didn’t think much of it at first, not until I t you. If I went against him, he might lose all trust in forever."
"His Highness won’t. He has a good heart. The way he treats Lady Raychard shows what a remarkable man he is. If not for his wise decision to send you to Ardel, Da Clara and I wouldn’t be alive today!" Emily said earnestly.
"That’s precisely why I couldn’t defy him. I just don’t know what to do now." Noah looked down. His heart was torn between his loyalty to the grand duke and his deepest desires.
Slowly, he turned to face Emily. Her gentle features were etched with sadness. He cursed himself for letting her cry. He shouldn’t have let her captivating smile sway his heart and let these feelings blossom. But it was too late—his love for her had taken root, and he could no longer deny these heartfelt wishes.
Raising his hand, Noah gently wiped away her tears.
"I’m so sorry for breaking your heart. I never ant to hurt you." He sighed heavily. "If only I could turn back ti and stop all of this."
"No, Noah!" Emily cried. "Even if we could undo the past, I wouldn’t want that! My heart is yours, and I could never give it to anyone else. I’d rather die alone than be with another!"
"Don’t say that!" Noah exclaid. "You’re a wonderful person who deserves to be happy."
"Not without you," she said.
Noah’s heart ached as he watched her tears fall.
"What else can I do? You know the situation we’re in."
Emily sniffled, composing herself. "Did His Highness really say you can’t get married, ever?"
"He ordered not to be involved with any woman until I’m proven innocent. That’s exactly what he said," Noah replied.
Emily’s eyes were downcast. Then, a thought ran into her mind as he interpreted the grand duke’s warning. Swiftly, she looked up at the knight, a spark of determination in her gaze.
"He said not to be involved with any woman. But I’m not just any woman! I’m the one you want to make your wife!"
Noah sighed. "Emily, you know what he ant by that."
"Yes, I do!" she countered firmly. "He said that because he didn’t want you to return to your habit of toying with won’s feelings. But I’m not them. You’re not playing with ! You want to marry !"
"Marriage ans more than just involvent," Noah tried to reason.
"It’s so much more than just involvent, Noah!" Emily exclaid. "It’s a lifelong commitnt, and you’d be doing the right thing, not the wrong one."
Her fervent words caused Noah to waver.
"Would His Highness truly lose faith in you for doing sothing so morally upright? Marriage is a cherished institution. What’s wrong with marrying the one you love? He loves Lady Raychard so deeply, he would surely understand," Emily added.
"But Sir Navin is against us. He would never give his permission," the knight protested.
"Screw him!" Emily growled. "Why can’t we just elope, like Lady Raychard’s parents? What can he do once we’re already married?"
Noah’s eyes widened. "You want to elope like them?"
"Why not? Da Clara told about it, and I don’t see it as a big issue. Though their relationship didn’t end well, they still did it because of their love, leading to Lady Raychard’s birth. So, why can’t we? We’re already in this situation. Let’s just go through with it, and we’ll deal with the consequences later," she said determinedly.
"But eloping isn’t considered proper. I don’t mind the impact on my reputation since it’s already tarnished, but people will look down on you," Noah argued.
"I don’t care what people think!" Emily declared. "The Cassians hardly know since I’ve been confined to the mansion. So what if others want to view with disdain? This is my choice, the price I’m willing to pay to be with the man I love, and it’s worth it!"
Noah hesitated. "We could be reprimanded for going against the Knights’ code of conduct."
"How bad could the punishnt be? Imprisonnt? Lashings?" Emily pressed.
"I... I don’t know. The protocol is to obtain consent from His Highness or his representative for marriage, and there’s never been a case of soone betrothing or marrying without it," Noah admitted.
"There has been!" she countered.
"Who?"
"Mr Norman and Da Clara were betrothed without Sir Navin’s approval, and he ended up supporting them later."
Noah recalled Clara’s shared details—how Ayden had declared their engagent to save her from her tribesn. Now that the accusations against her had been cleared, the couple would formalise their union.
"That was an exceptional circumstance," Noah said, keeping the whole truth.
Emily gripped his hands, her brown eyes sparkling with resolute.
"If they could be exempted, why can’t we? Let’s get married first and see what Sir Navin will do!"
Noah searched her gaze, his heart swelling with both trepidation and hope.
"You truly want to do this?"
"Yes! In fact, why don’t we just run off tonight and get married sowhere?" Emily suggested eagerly. "We can return to the mansion afterwards."
Noah hesitated. "Emily, we should sit down and think this through more carefully. Let’s not rush into anything."
"What more is there to think about?" she urged. "You even proposed that we break up, which is completely unacceptable! Do we have any other choice?"
"No, we don’t," the knight admitted.
"Then what are you hesitating for?" Emily implored.
Noah looked at her, concern etched on his face. "Are you absolutely sure about this? There’ll be no turning back if we go down this path."
"I wouldn’t have suggested it if I wasn’t certain," she replied resolutely. "Are you scared of the consequences?"
"I’m not," Noah admitted. "The only thing holding back is worrying about what might happen to you. I’ve faced near-death punishnts before. I don’t mind facing them again as long as you’re safe by my side."
Emily smiled, grasping his calloused hands.
"Then let’s do this together, for better or worse."
A smile tugged at the corners of Noah’s lips.
"Yes, for better or worse."
***
"Chug! Chug! Chug! Chug!" the knights cheered as Alex downed another glass of drink.
A loud round of applause erupted as he finished.
Suddenly, a knock was heard, and the raucous noise in the chamber began to subside. Eli rushed to the door and opened it, only for the happy smile on his face to fade as he saw the figure standing there. Instinctively, he tried to close the door, but a swift hand pushed it back open.
"So, you’ve all been keeping the bridegroom captive here, have you?" Callis’s voice rang out, instantly dissipating the rry atmosphere. Behind her stood redith, the bride.
After attending to the family mbers and guests, redith had been looking for her husband and was told that the knights had taken away Alex. It seed they had been gathered in the withdrawing chamber, escaping the main event in the grand hall.
All eyes turned to the seemingly furious derian Princess and the bride. Alex, already droopy and disoriented from the drinks, was about to falter, but Luke quickly held him steady.
Eric forced a smile as the won entered. Sending a secret signal to Damon, the second-in-command knight ordered his subordinate to slip out and fetch Rafe to save the night.
"We were just taking a break," Eric said, "...since Alex didn’t feel so well. He’s been attending to the guests for quite so ti."
"Oh, really?"
Callis scowled at the knights. Garin stepped forward, blocking her view, but it was too late – she had already noticed the drinks on the table.
"I think that was more than just ’taking a break,’" she said sternly. "You must have gathered here to enjoy yourselves and forget that he has a bride to attend to."
"Of course not!" Eric denied. "Like I said, we were just resting."
redith gently pulled Callis’s sleeve. "It’s all right, Callis. After all, it’s a night of celebration. There’s nothing wrong with them having a bit of fun together."
"Haa, you see? Lady Jarr is so understanding," Drystan interjected.
Callis turned to redith. "Don’t believe them, r. Boys will always be boys. If you let them, they’ll surely get him drunk for the night, and you’ll be the one left to deal with him."
"Why would we do that?" Eric argued. "Tonight is an important night for Alex and his bride. He’s a capable man. He can handle a drink or two and still return to his beloved wife."
"Lies!" Callis scoffed. "I can see he’s about to tumble down!"
"No, he’s not! He’s perfectly fine. See?" As if to prove his point, Luke let go of his grip on Alex, and the knight staggered, only just managing to catch the table’s edge to keep from falling.
"How very convincing," the derian Princess said dryly. "Now, I suggest all of you disperse and hand the groom over to his bride."
"Oh, co on, Mrs. Amares," Garin pleaded. "The party hasn’t reached its peak yet!"
"Enough," Callis said firmly. "Celebrating only with the groom is not fair when the bride is left alone. It’s already late, and we should be heading back."
The knights grumbled in protest.
"Mrs. Amares, let us have just a little more fun with Alex, please?" Eli tried to persuade. "I’m sure Lady Jarr doesn’t mind."
"No can do!" the derian Princess decided. "Just look at him. A few more drinks, and he’d be totally blacked out!"
"I’m... all right..." Alex hiccupped. "Hick!"
"Oh, poor him! Just how much did you make him drink?" Callis said with concern. She turned to Luke and ordered sternly, "You better surrender him right now!"
The knights were reluctant, their faces falling as they were forced to relinquish their ’captive’.
Suddenly, Rafe appeared at the door, with Damon behind him.
"What’s going on?" he asked. "I heard there is an ergency, and I am needed here."
"Oh, Rafe! Look what they’ve done to Sir Jarr!" Callis complained. "They’ve made him drink so much that he can barely stand!"
Concern was also etched across redith’s face as she saw her husband’s condition. Sensing the bride might reprimand the knights, Eric caught Rafe’s eye, silently pleading for his help to redy the situation.
Understanding the unspoken request, the healer said, "I’m sure he’s fine. A little drink with friends won’t do him any harm."
Callis frowned, disagreeing. "I don’t think so. Poor r has been waiting for him all night. We searched everywhere and found him like this! r wouldn’t say anything unkind to them, as today is her wedding day, but she’s been alone for hours because they took him away."
Rafe’s grey eyes shifted between his wife and the bride. He didn’t want to dismiss their feelings, but blaming the knights didn’t seem appropriate for the occasion.
"Let check on him first, all right?" he suggested, approaching the groom, who was now seated with Luke’s assistance.
As Rafe examined Alex, Eric leaned in and whispered, "Help us out here, will you? Your wife has been nagging at us since she arrived."
"She wouldn’t nag if you hadn’t gotten Alex drunk on his wedding night!" Rafe responded in a hushed tone.
"How would I know he’d almost blackout after just a few drinks?" Eric argued. "Besides, it’s not like we forced him. You better devise a good excuse so the ladies don’t reprimand us further. You owe one, rember? I saved you from your wife last ti."
"What are you both whispering about?" Callis called from a distance, where she and redith stood, maintaining decorum.
"Ah, nothing," Rafe replied, pulling a small bottle from his pocket. "Eric was just telling how much Alex had drunk. He’s all right. Nothing to worry about."
"What’s that?" asked Damon.
"This is a herbal redy. It’ll get rid of the tipsiness. He’ll be better before you know it. Now, help hold him while I administer it, will you?"
"Hold him?" Damon asked, puzzled. "Is the taste that bad?"
"Ah, no, it’s not bad," Rafe smiled. "It’s just... worse than you can imagine."
"In that case, you’ll need two n to hold him," Eric suggested. "Alex may appear quiet and stoic, but don’t underestimate his strength. He’s a high-ranking Knight of Gerhard."
"Oh, dear!" redith exclaid, clutching her hands to her heart. "Will he be all right?"
"He’ll be just fine in a short while, fully rejuvenated. Don’t worry. You’ll get your husband back in good shape after this," the healer reassured her.
With Rafe’s instructions, Damon and Luke held Alex’s shoulders as the healer poured the dicine down the knight’s throat. redith, unable to bear the sight, turned her head away.
The sound of Alex struggling to consu the redies reached her ears.
"God d*mn it! What the h*ll did you give ?" Alex exclaid once he had finished surprising everyone with his cursing. He frowned at the bitter taste, nearly gagging.
Eric handed him a glass of water, which the knight quickly chugged down. His focus regained quickly.
"r, you’re here?" he said, noticing his wife’s figure among the crowd.
Wasting no ti, redith rushed to him, taking his shoulders. By now, Damon and Luke had moved aside to give the couple so space.
"Alex, are you all right?" redith asked.
Alex smiled as he gazed at his wife. "Oh, r! You look so beautiful in your wedding gown! I can’t wait to hold you and kiss you tonight. I swear I’ll be a good husband! You won’t be disappointed in !"
His blabbering indicated that the intoxication still lingered, but his eyes were no longer droopy as before. The remarks made the bride’s cheeks blushed in red.
"All right, all right, save it for the bedchamber, will you?" Eric teased while the knights laughed.
"I think it’s best if you take him with you now," Rafe suggested to redith. "The night is late, and Lady Raychard needs her rest, too. We should head ho as well."
"Ah, yes, you’re right," Eric agreed. "Do you need any help with Alex, Lady Jarr?"
"I’ll manage. Don’t worry about him," redith replied.
Helping Alex to stand, the bride excused herself and guided her husband as they left the withdrawing chamber.
anwhile, Callis turned to Eric.
"Anna might need attention, so I’m going to her. Sylvia and Mr Norman have been accompanying her for a while. Please get the carriage ready, Sir Navin."
"Will do," Eric nodded. He then looked around, realising Noah was missing. "Where’s Noah?"
"He went out much earlier," Garin replied. "He seed so quiet tonight."
"He probably went back early," Drystan said. "You know him... if the occasion doesn’t make him comfortable, he won’t join for long."
"Fine, let him be," Eric said. "Now, chop chop, everyone! Let’s head ho!"
The knights gathered and departed, unaware that Noah and Emily had fled away.
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