The news of Julian's return spread like wildfire through the mansion, filling every corner with excitement and relief. Diana stood at the grand entrance, her heart racing with anticipation. She had waited so long for this moment—her husband's return. Yet, when the carriage door opened and she saw him descending with another woman, her breath hitched.
The blonde-haired woman with striking blue eyes leaned lightly on Julian's arm, her presence poised and graceful. Diana's chest tightened, a strange ache blooming as she took in the sight. Who was she? Was she a hostage? A refugee? Diana's mind raced with possibilities, each one tinged with a doubt that made her heart clench harder.
Julian's familiar, gentle smile—the one that had always been hers—was now directed at another. It felt like a blade twisting in her chest.
"Diana," Julian greeted, his voice warm but carrying a subtle tension. "I'm home."
Diana quickly composed herself, her practiced smile sliding into place. "Welcome back, Julian," she said softly, her tone calm and controlled. She turned to the woman at his side, her curiosity hidden behind a veil of politeness. "And this is…?"
"This is Lady Evelyne Alden," Julian explained, his voice carefully measured. "She is a princess of the Northern Alliance. She betrayed her side to help us secure victory."
Diana's eyes flickered to Evelyne, whose expression was unreadable but tinged with the weight of something unspoken. Evelyne offered a small curtsy. "Your Grace," she said respectfully. "I owe much to the Duke and the Empire. It's an honor to stand before you."
Diana nodded, her smile unwavering despite the storm brewing in her heart. "The honor is ours, Lady Evelyne. Any ally of my husband is welcome here."
She motioned for the servants to escort them inside, walking alongside Julian. As much as she longed to ask more about Evelyne's presence, she kept her questions at bay, unwilling to appear rash or impatient.
The dining hall was alive with activity as the staff served a grand feast to celebrate Julian's return. Diana sat at the head of the table, her posture as regal as ever, though her appetite had all but disappeared.
She watched quietly as Julian and Evelyne exchanged soft words, their conversation just low enough that she couldn't catch it. Her fingers tightened slightly around the silverware, but she forced herself to focus on her plate.
"Lady Evelyne," Diana finally said, breaking the silence. Her voice was kind but carried an undertone of authority. "I hope the accommodations have been to your liking."
Evelyne looked up, her cheeks coloring slightly. "They are more than generous, Your Grace. I am grateful for your hospitality."
Diana's smile remained steady. "It's the least we can do for someone who aided in the Empire's victory." Her gaze shifted briefly to Julian, who avoided her eyes.
As the meal concluded, Diana gestured for the servants to escort Evelyne to her chambers. "Lady Evelyne, you must be tired after your journey. Please, rest well."
Evelyne inclined her head. "Thank you, Your Grace. Goodnight." She turned to Julian, offering a small smile. "Goodnight, Your Grace."
Julian returned the smile, and Diana felt the ache in her chest deepen.
Once Evelyne had left, Diana turned to Julian, her smile fading slightly as she reached out to him. "Julian," she said gently, "it's been so long. Can we—"
Julian stepped back, avoiding her touch. "I'm tired, Diana," he said quietly, his tone laced with guilt. "I think I'll retire for the night."
Diana blinked, momentarily stunned. "That's fine," she said, recovering quickly. "We share the same room, after all."
Julian hesitated, his gaze dropping to the floor. "I… I think I'll rest in my study tonight. It's been a long journey, and I need some time to think."
Her chest tightened painfully, but she forced herself to nod. "Of course," she said softly, her voice steady despite the cracks forming in her heart.
Julian gave her a brief, almost apologetic glance before turning and leaving the dining hall. Diana stood there for a moment, her hand still outstretched as if reaching for something that had slipped away.
She didn't want to suspect him, to let her mind wander into dark places. But Julian had never pushed her away like this before. And no matter how much she tried to dismiss it, the doubt gnawed at her, threatening to unravel her carefully constructed composure.
Later that night, as Diana sat alone in her chambers, the ache in her chest refused to subside. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror, her fingers brushing against the necklace Julian had given her on their wedding day.
Why does it feel like I'm losing him? she thought, her smile faltering for the first time.
*****
The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft golden glow on the room. Diana stirred awake, her body heavy with the remnants of restless sleep. As her eyes fluttered open, she froze, the air leaving her lungs.
There, across the room, stood Evelyne, her blonde hair cascading like a halo, leaning gently into Julian's arms. His hand rested on her back, their closeness unmistakable. The sight was like a dagger to Diana's chest, her heart pounding as she took in the scene.
She sat up silently, her mind racing. She wasn't stupid—she was the Witch of the East, renowned for her sharp mind and calculated actions. Yet here she was, blindsided. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she rose from the bed, her movements measured as she approached them.
The two turned as they noticed her, Evelyne stepping back slightly, her cheeks coloring with embarrassment. Julian's expression was unreadable, though guilt flickered briefly in his eyes.
"Julian," Diana said, her voice calm but carrying an edge that made him stiffen. "We need to talk. Alone."
Evelyne hesitated, glancing at Julian, who nodded silently. She excused herself quickly, leaving the room in awkward silence.
Once Evelyne was gone, Diana turned to Julian, her gaze piercing. "Who is she to you?" she asked, her voice low but steady.
Julian sighed, running a hand through his hair as he avoided her eyes. "She's… someone important," he admitted.
Diana's heart clenched, but she pressed on. "Important how, Julian? I deserve the truth."
He finally met her gaze, his expression conflicted. "Evelyne and I…" He hesitated before continuing, "We've grown close. During the war, she was by my side. Her kindness, her grace—she reminded me of what I've been missing."
Diana felt as if the ground beneath her had crumbled. "Missing?" she repeated, her voice breaking slightly. "What are you saying?"
Julian took a step closer, though his posture remained defensive. "Diana, you've changed. You're not the same woman I fell in love with."
She laughed bitterly, the sound hollow. "Changed? Who do you think changed me, Julian?" Her voice rose, her pain seeping into every word. "Who turned my soft hands into the calloused hands of a warrior? Who made me the cold-blooded witch everyone whispers about? Was it not you?!"
Julian flinched, his face contorted in frustration. "I never wanted that for you, Diana! I didn't ask for you to become this… this person who's consumed by duty and war. Evelyne, even in the chaos, remained beautiful and graceful. She's everything you used to be."
Diana's breath hitched, her composure cracking. "And what of me, Julian?" she demanded, her voice trembling with raw emotion. "What am I to you now? Just a weapon? A pawn? Someone to shoulder your burdens while you seek comfort elsewhere?"
Julian's expression hardened. "You've become distant, Diana. All your letters are about work—strategies, plans. There's no warmth, no love. I wanted a partner, a lover, but you've become someone I barely recognize."
Her laughter was sharp, almost hysterical, as tears welled in her eyes. "Love?" she spat. "You wanted love? After everything I've done for you, for this family, you dare to say I don't love you?!"
Julian's eyes grew cold, his disappointment evident. "I wanted the Diana I married. The sweet, soft, and loving woman who wrote me letters filled with dreams and joy. But that Diana is gone."
Diana stared at him, her tears finally spilling over. "That Diana was forged into this," she said, her voice breaking, "because she had to be strong for you. For us. And now you blame me for it?"
He looked away, his silence louder than any words he could have spoken.
And that's when she saw the disappointment and coldness in his eyes. The love that once shone so brightly between them had dimmed, replaced by something unrecognizable.
Her heart shattered into pieces as she whispered, "You wanted love, Julian. But you've destroyed mine."
Without waiting for his response, she turned and walked away, her shoulders squared despite the unbearable weight crushing her from within.