"I heard the Crown Prince summoned the royal physician for Dahlia," Queen Verlina remarked, her tone edged with both concern and simmering anger. Her expression betrayed little happiness, but a storm of emotions roiled beneath her calm face.
"Mother, I don't understand why you forbade the royal physician from attending to Dahlia. She was burning with fever," Daedric protested, his voice tinged with frustration.
"You expect me to show mercy to the woman who humiliated my son?" Queen Verlina snapped, her fury erupting. "And now, here you are, defending Dahlia, making it clear to everyone how much you still harbor feelings for her," she scolded, her eyes narrowing as she berated Daedric.
The Crown Prince averted his gaze, ashamed of how his lingering affection for Dahlia had made him vulnerable.
"I will find another woman for you. Be prepared for your marriage," Queen Verlina declared, her tone leaving little room for argument.
"Not now, Mother. I'm not ready," Daedric responded, his voice steady but resolute.
"At this rate, you'll never be ready," Queen Verlina retorted, her hands gripping the bolsters beside her, betraying the tension she tried to hide.
"Mother, please, give me time. That's all I ask," Daedric implored, his voice softening as he met her gaze.
Queen Verlina's stern expression wavered. She could see the pain in her son's eyes, and though she desperately wanted to pull him out of it, she knew it was no easy task.
"Very well. But don't take too long," she relented, granting him the time he requested.
"Thank you, Mother," Daedric replied with a small, grateful smile. He bowed to her before turning to leave.
Upon reaching his chamber, he sat down to rest, only to be interrupted by his valet, who informed him of Dahlia's visit.
"Bring her in," Daedric ordered, straightening in his seat. Moments later, Dahlia entered, offering a graceful curtsy in greeting.
"Please, have a seat," he said, his tone remained respectful.
Dahlia nodded and took a seat across from him. "Thank you for your kindness yesterday, Your Royal Highness," she began. "I am sorry for hurting you, especially your heart. I have talked about it a lot of times, but... I wanted to speak again regarding this."
"Dahlia, why did you marry Sullivan? Why do you look so different? Your tone with me has changed. It bothers me a lot. You loved me. This ring," Daedric showed his fourth finger to Dahlia before continuing, "you gave me after turning 18th. Then, why did you suddenly leave me like this?" He searched for a satisfactory answer in her eyes.
Dahlia lowered her head while fidgeting with her fingers, not understanding what could be the best explanation for this situation.
"Dahlia, please answer. I don't believe any of your previous explanations. Whenever I wake up in the morning, it feels as if I'm still in a dream," Daedric said, sounding low.
"Your Royal Highness, I have forgotten all my memories from the past. All I remember is my love for Sullivan. On the wedding day, I only remembered this fact, and nothing else," she stated.
"How is that possible? How did your memories wipe away? And why you only remember that you love Sullivan. Shouldn't it be me?" asked Daedric confusedly.
Dahlia again got stuck. Every time she would prepare herself to talk to the Crown Prince, his questions would make her rethink.
'How am I supposed to tell him I never liked him. I'm not from this time,' Dahlia thought.
"You are again quiet," Daedric said.
"Forgive me," Dahlia apologized. "The day before my wedding, I accidentally fell into a pond. Someone saved me from that pond and when I woke up, I was unable to recall anything. I only remember one name and that was Sullivan Blackwood," she came with a quick lie. That was the only explanation that she could give to Daedric.
"Why didn't anyone from your family inform me about this?" Daedric demanded, his voice laced with concern. "What if someone tried to kill you?" The worry in his tone was unmistakable, deepening the lines of tension on his face.
Dahlia hesitated, her anxiety spiking under the Crown Prince's intense scrutiny. "No one in my family knew," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I was outside when it happened." She desperately wanted to escape his penetrating gaze, which seemed to unravel her every secret.
Daedric's eyes narrowed as he studied her, sensing her unease. "So, you remembered only Sullivan's name, and that's why you chose to marry him?" he pressed, the desperation in his voice betraying his need to understand.
"Yes," she answered, her resolve weakening under his relentless questioning.
"You've made a foolish and terrible mistake, Dahlia," Daedric said, his voice heavy with frustration.
"He is good to me, Your Royal Highness," Dahlia defended, her words tinged with a mix of stubbornness and conviction.
"You should ask for a divorce," Daedric insisted, his voice firm as if the solution were obvious.
"No. I can't," Dahlia responded .
"Why not? You need to correct this decision," Daedric urged, leaning closer as if proximity could sway her.
"But in my eyes, my decision is right," Dahlia asserted, her voice steady with conviction. "Every marriage has its challenges. Sullivan told me he had instructed the Physicians to check on me before he left for work. But no one came. He may seem as hard as stone, devoid of feelings, but inside, he's as soft as a feather," she continued, her words laced with admiration for her husband.
Daedric noticed the adoration in her eyes as she spoke of Sullivan, and it struck him deeply. He realized that Dahlia was genuinely in love with Sullivan. The realization was like a cold blade to his heart. "And what about me?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly. "How am I supposed to forget you?"
His question wiped the smile from her face, leaving an uncomfortable silence hanging between them.
"That's a difficult question," Dahlia replied, her tone turning somber. Inwardly, she steeled herself, refusing to feel pity for the man before her. 'I can't afford to pity him,' she thought. 'He has troubled Sullivan too much. Behind that calm exterior lies an evil heart.'