~ I WILL STOP LOVING YOU
"Father Samuel sorry for interrupting your conversation but can I have some time to talk with Mikhail?" Eleanor has a very serene look at her face when she spoke.
Duke Samuel without hesitation and worry left the place leaving the divorce papers.
Mikhail didn't move from his position while looking at Eleanor.
"It's been a while" Eleanor said first but with obvious hostile look from Mikhail made her to stop speaking anymore.
"Ask what do you want to ask I will all answer it" Eleanor took a seat and look at the piece of paper in the table.
Mikhail still can't believe that this girl who annoyingly and desperately chased him will come forward and ask for a divorce.
"What are you planning? Did you think I will believe this?" Mikhail said with obvious contempt.
Eleanor really couldn't keep a straight face and smile a little.
He really hated her. Now or in the future she came from, Mikhail hate her.
She need to try and change this relationship.
She still has time and chance to say words that she didn't say before.
Everything that she want to say will be said today.
"Mikhail do you remember the first time we met?" Eleanor started reminiscing making Mikhail frown.
The obvious repulsed reaction from Mikhail didn't make Eleanor stop though.
"You saved me from the foxes in the hunting competition, the foxes where not big but it still scared me. You really looked handsome that time" Eleanor smiles as she really pictured the you Mikhail.
Mikhail is 8 years old that time while she is 6
"What are you trying to do now making me pity you? I saved you so you torment me?" Mikhail sneered.
After Mikhail said those words he didn't know why he also feel strange.
Like he is obviously disdaining Eleanor but he is also ridiculing himself.
Eleanor didn't stop her story and continued.
"I fell in love with you at first sight that time, my brother is strong and handsome but you looked strong but also kind that time. I make myself believe that we will be together forever." Eleanor stood up and place a small box in the table.
Mikhail knew what is in the box. It is her mother's wedding ring.
Her mother's wedding rings is very precious for her mother he thought that his father kept it.
Why is it in her hands?
"This is the ring your mother used to love, I will give this back to you now you are the rightful owner. She gave it to me before she died thinking that we will end up together. This thing also make me feel delusional that no matter what happened as long as I have this you will belong to me." Eleanor smiles
Mikhail looked at her confused, without moments delay Eleanor continue speaking.
"Mikhail your asking what I'm planning, I'm not planning anything. I'm just exhausted. Exhausted from all this years. I'm hopelessly holding to you but all you want is to get rid of me. I want to stop. My son's birth made me realize that I can live without you. I will stop loving you" Eleanor said this words with a tone of a person that received an enlightenment
Mikhail still couldn't believe what Eleanor is saying.
She says she's exhausted. What about me? Mikhail's eyes are with anger but he didn't know why is he angry.
"Mikhail I'm sorry for forcing you to accept my love it must have been hard. Love is only happy when both parties loved each other. What I make you feel is torment." Eleanor continue speaking and stand up and bow
"Mikhail I'm sorry I'm foolish. I will stop loving you. Your free I realized that all these time, from the moment we started to be engaged all I make you feel is being imprisoned" As Eleanor said this words she didn't realize that tears started to fall from her eyes.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry... these things are the only things that is ringing in Eleanor's head.
Mikhail became alarmed. All these years he didn't saw Eleanor cry.
But with desperation Eleanor continued.
She needed to say all this things now.
"About Sophia's death I know I didn't exactly cause her death but I know I'm partly the reason. I want to say sorry about that" with tears in her eyes Eleanor panicked
"I'm sorry please excuse me" Eleanor can't stop the tears from falling and ran
She head towards her room she wanted to stop her tears but she can't.
She didn't know how to stop.
The words she said is something that make her heart feel hurt and happy at the same time.
This really hurt.
The love that she hold on for many year ended now.
...
For an hour Mikhail didn't leave the garden staring at the box and the papers.
The face of Eleanor's crying face can't leave his mind.
Then a memory erupted
In the memory of Mikhail there is a young Eleanor and Mikhail.
Mikhail is protecting Eleanor from the wild foxes while Eleanor is crying.
The young Mikhail that time desperately protected Eleanor.
After that memory another memory flashed.
"Why are you always crying? Your always crying! Crying doesn't help you at all!" A ten year old mikhail explaining to a eight year old Eleanor.
"But the pin you gave me broke, I can't have anything like this again" Eleanor said while trying to stop the tears.
Young mikhail didn't know if he should laugh.
He thought the Eleanor is cute.
"Don't worry I will give you another. Don't cry, crying will not make things better. You will not become strong if you continue crying" Young mikhail said the exact words his teacher said.
The words the Young Mikhail said deeply engraved in Eleanor's heart.
Crying will not make things better.
...
The scene of Eleanor crying and desperately hiding from him made his heart hurt.
After he remembered these scenes he asked himself. Why this happened? He wondered.
They are friends at first. but became enemies.
He loved someone else that's why.
The person he loved isn't Eleanor that's why.
As he continue thinking, he realized many things.
The person he loved died because of an accident but he always blamed it on Eleanor.
That time they will meet and elope but before Sophia go to their meeting spot she had a talk with Eleanor.
The talk finished late and because it is late a fast carriage didn't notice Sofia crossing the road.
She survived until she can gave birth to Arthur.
Eleanor couldn't help but be happy when she heard that Sophia died and I went mad.
I almost killed her.
Even with all those madness she still wanted to marry me.
Is she crazy?
Eleanor tried to please me but all I can see is a murderer. I wonder what kind of suffering she felt that time when we are together.
She is also a mother of my child but I didn't give her any care.
Mikhail stared at the divorce papers and signed the document.
Let's end this cycle of painful love.
After Mikhail signed the document he headed towards his son's room.
Mikhail asked the maid leave for a moment
A six month old baby whose full of fat enter his eyes.
The baby is sitting in his cradle with a look of confusion.
Charles didn't recognize his father but is not scared of him.
He put his hands up trying to reach Mikhail.
He really looked like him when he is young. His hair and everything else came from Mikhail's appearance.
The only thing he got from Eleanor is her eyes.
He can't refute that this child is his son.
"I'm sorry but I can't probably be a good father for you" Mikhail whispered.
Charles wondered why this man looked hurt.
Mikhail left the room with Charles still looking at him.
Arthur only has him while Charles still has Eleanor that is what Mikhail continue to tell himself to feel relieve.
Duke Samuel and Duke Edmund is talking is in the lounge about some business
Duke Samuel felt that his son wanted to leave so he excused himself.
Duke Edmund got the Divorce document from Mikhail and said thank you sorry.
Duke Samuel and Mikhail ride the carriage together toward the Byron Duchy.
Mikhail has some things he needed to get from the Byron Duchy and he want to have a small talk with his father.
As they enter the house of Byron Mikhail felt cold.
The house has servants but the house seem unnecessarily big.
Then he realized he left his father in this house alone.
Because his father forced him to marry Eleanor he got some bad feeling towards his father but if he really thought about it. He is the one who broke things apart.
Eleanor is already his Fiancée, but he fell in love with another woman causing an uproar in the family.
His father has principles, and he knew that something that has been decided for so many years being broken by his foolish son. He could not stay still doing nothing to correct his son's mistake but that time he always felt hurt because he thinks his father sold him.
What an idiot am I.
"Father, are you fine?" Mikhail words make Duke Samuel shaken
After Mikhail and Eleanor got married Mikhael and his relationship falls apart.
This is the first time he asked about him all this time.
"I'm fine, just a little lonely but don't worry, Eleanor said that she will visit often with Charles to play. I will also start renovating the nursery to have a better environment for Charles" hearing this words from his father he felt more guilty.
Eleanor and him divorced but Eleanor continued to care about his father while me his son is just 30 minutes away and can't even visit his father.
"Here it is the budget of the soldiers, and the forts expenses" Duke Samuel handed the documents but Mikhail didn't respond.
"Father I will also visit often, you can also ask me to come play chess once in a while" Mikhail said these words and Duke Samuel eyes shine bright
Duke Samuel realized that after Eleanor and Mikhail's talk many things has changed special the hostile look of his son towards him.
"Yes I will make sure to come" Duke Samuel said.
Mikhail left the Byron Duchy with a smile and head towards his house.
He saw his almost 2 year old son playing with his auntie.
"Mikhail you back, let me help you put down you coat" Anne said as she helped Mikhail.
Anne is Sophia's younger sister and she takes care of Arthur while he is gone.
He is thankful for this but he noticed that Anne's action are different from a simple sister in law and brother in law relationship.
She is still Arthur's auntie maybe that's why she is so familiar with him but she needed to correct her to avoid rumors.
"Ms. Anne please refrain from doing these things some people might misunderstand. You are my son's auntie not my wife" Mikhail's cold words make Anne's smile almost break
"I'm Im sorry mikhail is it Eleanor again, did she threw another fit I will talk to her to clarify things" Anne's expression showed a soft and weak smile but somehow today mikhail is not in the mood to coax
"No it's not her and it has nothing to do with her. It is just my opinion. You are already a lady suitable of marriage that's why it is improper for us" after Mikhail said those things he head towards Arthur and carry him.
Mikhail calls a maid and asked the maid to carry Arthur's necessities to his room because he is planning to sleep with Arthur.
Anne still wore the smile that makes her look so innocent but after Mikhail left her facade dade.
"It is surely that Eleanor, she is jealous because of my good relationship with Mikhail"
Anne with twisted expression comforted herself.
...
While Mikhail get dressed the maid changed Arthur's clothes.
Mikhail stared at Arthur, he didn't get any of my looks. His face and eyes are like Sophia's.
Recalling the look of Charles he felt it's a shame, but he said that maybe Arthur didn't get his looks but qualities.
...
Arundell Duchy
Eleanor is singing Charles a lullaby. This lullaby is something that the old couple thought her.
Once in the inn there is a baby that is crying continuously, the old lady moved forward and sang a song.
The song is simple but it is pleasing to the ears.
I want my son to hear that song.
After Charles fell asleep Eleanor looked at the calendar.
Exactly three years from now on in the day of winter festival the demon army will attack the Carson Palace.
Julian will die. Julian Agustus Carson will die. The crown prince and my best friend.
I need to make them prepared for the attack. I need to ensure that they will be alive.
After the attack 3 years from now on the attack 5 years from now on is stronger.
Without Claus and Julian, Mikhail can't hold on. He will die and Carson will vanished.
I need to protect Carson.
~Chapter End