Lady Everlyne Vayne sat alone in the grand dining hall, the candlelight flickering against the untouched meal before her. The roast had gone cold, the wine dulled in taste. Across the long table, her husband's chair remained empty, just as it had the night before. And the night before that. She smoothed the silk gown, willing herself to ignore the tightness in her throat. Armand was a busy man-powerful, important. She had always known that. But lately, he had become something else. Distant. Shadowed.
The heavy doors creaked open, and for a moment, hope stirred in her chest. But it was not her husband who entered. " Milady," said Elise, her lady's maid's expression carefully schooled. "Shall I clear the table?". Everlyne hesitated, glancing towards the door as if willing to walk through it. "No," she said softly. "Not yet." Elise shifted, her hands tightening around the tray she carried. "He won't be coming, milady." The words stung her more than they should have. Everlyne dropped her gaze, toying with the silver ring on her finger the one Amarnd had given her on their wedding day when he had still looked at her like she was something precious.
"Where is he?" she asked, trying to keep the longing from her voice. Elise hesitated before replying. "With his business associates, milady. At the docks." The docks again. A terrible thought crept into Everlyne's mind, one she had tried to banish before. There were rumors about the merchants of Vayne's circle and whispers in the marketplace about wealth that came from something other than trade. She had never dared to ask Armand about it. She was his wife. It was not her place to question him. And yet.....
She forced a smile. " I see." Elise hesitated, then lowered her voice. "Milady, forgive me, but.... perhaps you should go to him." Everlyne blinked."Go?". The thought was absurd. Wives did not go chasing after their husbands. It was improper. Shameful. But as she sat in the dim candlelight, the untouched meal before her, the cold emptiness of her home pressing in, she wondered if he even remembered she existed. Did he still love her? Before she could second-guess herself, she rose from the table. "Have the carriage prepared."
Elise's eyes widened. "Milady, are you certain-"
"yes."
If Armand would not come to her, she would go to him. For better or worse.