Diana strolled through the bustling streets of the central market, her steps slow and her gaze unfocused. The lively atmosphere—vendors shouting their wares, children laughing, and the scent of freshly baked bread—did little to lift the weight in her heart. Her usual demeanor was replaced by a downhearted expression. Eventually, she found herself sitting at the edge of a grand fountain, watching the world go by as she struggled to distract herself.
Am I not good enough? she wondered bitterly, clasping her hands in her lap. Am I unworthy to sit in that position?
She took a deep breath, tilting her head back to gaze at the sky as if searching for answers in the endless expanse above. Her musings were abruptly interrupted when a meat skewer appeared in front of her. Startled, she glanced up to see none other than Cassian, the black-haired man with the perpetually cheeky grin, holding it out to her.
"You look like you could use this," he said, his tone light and teasing.
Diana frowned, unsure whether to be annoyed or amused. "Do you always insert yourself into other people's business?"
Cassian chuckled and plopped himself down next to her, completely at ease. "Only when the other person looks as miserable as you do. What's the point of sitting here and sulking when you can eat something delicious instead?"
She hesitated, then reluctantly took the skewer, though she didn't take a bite. "You're bold for someone who barely knows me."
"Bold? Nah," he said with a shrug. "Just observant. So, what's bothering the mighty Duchess of East? Court trouble? A misplaced jewel? Or maybe…" He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice dramatically, "your husband?"
Her head snapped toward him, her eyes narrowing. "You're surprisingly perceptive for someone who runs a failing café."
"Hey, my café isn't failing," he retorted with mock indignation. "It's just… awaiting its golden era."
Diana almost smiled but quickly masked it with a sigh. "It's my husband. He just returned from the war."
Cassian raised an eyebrow. "And that's bad news because…?"
"It's complicated," she said, looking down at the skewer in her hand. "He's… distant. There's someone else."
Cassian whistled low. "Ah, so the rumors are true. The gall of that man."
Diana glared at him. "You don't even know him."
"True, but I know what it looks like when someone forgets what they have." He leaned back, propping himself up on his elbows. "Why don't you show him what he's missing?"
"What do you mean?"
Cassian gestured around them. "This city, these people—this is what you've built. Your hard work, your sacrifices, your vision. While he was off fighting wars, you were the one holding this place together. Doesn't he deserve to see that?"
Diana shook her head, her voice quiet. "How can I? He won't see me the same way anymore."
Cassian stood abruptly and spread his arms wide as if presenting the entire market to her. "Then make him see it! Show him the world you've created in his absence, all in the name of your love for him. If he can't recognize that, then maybe he doesn't deserve you after all."
Diana stared at him, her lips parted in surprise. For a moment, she let his words sink in. She glanced down at the small dagger hidden in her sleeve, the one she always carried as a reminder of her resolve. Then her gaze softened as she looked around the lively market—the happy families, the flourishing businesses, the glowing pride of a city she had nurtured.
Cassian grinned at her reaction, taking a step back. "Anyway, I should get going. But if you need another pep talk—or just some excellent scones—drop by my café. I could use a little promotion from the duchess herself."
Diana chuckled despite herself. "Promotion, huh? Always the opportunist, aren't you?"
"Life's too short not to be," he replied with a wink, turning to walk away.
As Diana watched his retreating figure, she felt a flicker of determination reignites in her chest. Perhaps Julian was just tired, she told herself. Perhaps he didn't yet realize what he had in her.
Cassian, however, paused at the corner, glancing back over his shoulder. His carefree grin softened as he watched her thoughtful expression. "Ah, my little flower," he murmured to himself. "How foolish you are to marry that simpleton. But if it makes you happy, then I suppose I can't complain."
With a shake of his head, he disappeared into the crowd, leaving Diana to ponder her next move.
*****
Julian leaned back in his chair, his fingers tracing the rim of the teacup placed before him by the butler. The aroma of the tea was soothing, but his mind felt heavy. The weight of catching up on everything that had changed during his absence pressed down on him. No debts, no major problems—at least, none that couldn't be handled. Yet even the small details, the little shifts in the running of the duchy, felt overwhelming.
The butler stood nearby, his posture impeccable as always. "Your Grace, the duchess has worked tirelessly in your absence. Every decision, every policy she enacted was for the benefit of the duchy—and you."
Julian nodded slowly, staring into his tea. "I know," he murmured. "I can see it. It's just… seeing her like this, so... different, makes me feel uncomfortable. I don't know why."
The butler hesitated before speaking again. "Perhaps it is not discomfort, but unfamiliarity. Change is often unsettling, but the duchess has grown into her role. All of this," he gestured subtly to the papers stacked neatly on the desk, "is a testament to her dedication—to you, to the people, and to the future of this land."
Julian sighed, leaning forward to pick up one of the documents. He frowned as he skimmed through the terms of a new agricultural policy. "Rotation planting? Tax adjustments? And this—land renting? It's all... different. I don't even understand half of this."
The butler inclined his head. "The rotation planting system ensures sustainable farming and higher yields, Your Grace. The land-renting policy, while unconventional, has allowed the smaller farmers to flourish, reducing dependency on loans."
Julian rubbed his temple, frustrated. "She's taken the duchy into a whole new direction, hasn't she?"
Before the butler could respond, the door opened, and Diana entered the room. She moved with her usual grace, a soft smile on her face as she carried herself with the gentle air he had always admired. Julian stiffened slightly, but she didn't seem to notice. Instead, she approached him and took a seat beside him.
"Julian," she said kindly, her voice calm and warm, "you seem troubled."
He hesitated, glancing between her and the papers. "I'm trying to make sense of all these new policies you've put in place. I feel like I've returned to a completely different duchy."
Her smile didn't falter as she leaned closer to glance at the papers he held. "It must feel overwhelming, I'm sure," she said softly. "Let me explain."
Diana reached out, gently taking the document from his hands. "This is the rotation planting system. By alternating crops each season, the soil remains fertile longer, and the yields are higher. It also reduces the risk of crop failure due to pests or diseases."
She set it aside and picked up another. "And this one—the land-renting policy. Instead of taxing the farmers directly, we allow them to rent the land at a fixed rate. It's more predictable for them, and they're less likely to fall into debt. It also creates a more stable income for the duchy."
Julian listened intently, her explanations clear and patient. It felt, for a moment, like old times—when they used to sit together, talking about plans for the future. The warmth in her voice, the way her eyes sparkled as she spoke of her work—it was so familiar, yet different.
As she finished, she leaned back slightly, her gaze soft but steady. "Does it make more sense now?" she asked.
He nodded slowly. "It does. You've thought of everything."
Julian looked at her, a twinge of guilt tugging at his heart. The butler's words echoed in his mind: Perhaps it is not discomfort, but unfamiliarity. Maybe he was the one who had been left behind. She had grown so much, and he…
He glanced down at his hands, then back at her. For the first time in what felt like ages, he truly saw her—not just as his wife, but as the woman who had carried the weight of the duchy while he was away.
"Maybe," he murmured, half to himself, "we've both grown up."
Diana's expression softened further, and for a brief moment, it felt as though the distance between them had lessened. Julian leaned back in his chair, letting out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.