(Chapter 2)
Her father, Jonathan Faeloria, gave Clarisse a deadline to consider the decision until she graduated from the Academy. His hope was simple: this would be an opportunity for his daughter to prepare herself, both mentally and emotionally. Clarisse, already predicting how this would end, only wanted to buy more time. Yet, beneath her hesitation, there was a lingering curiosity. It turned out that her future husband, Lorcan Frostborne, the Duke of the North, was not as terrible as the rumors claimed.
That afternoon, the Duke arrived with an extraordinary presence. His appearance far exceeded anything Clarisse had seen in portraits before. His sharp features, elegant posture, and charismatic aura captivated everyone around him. However, his cold and indifferent gaze unsettled Clarisse, even though his allure was undeniable.
Clarisse began to feel anxious about the possibility of living with someone like him. Lorcan's charm was not enough to erase the discomfort creeping into her thoughts. How could she live with a man who seemed so emotionally distant?
As Clarisse approached Lorcan, the tension in the air thickened. The Duke stood tall, his piercing eyes assessing her with quiet scrutiny.
"Good afternoon, Lady Faeloria," Lorcan greeted her in a deep, calming yet formal tone. "I hope this meeting will give us a chance to get to know each other better."
Clarisse gave a small nod, trying to steady herself. Her father's words echoed in her mind: this meeting was an opportunity to assess her future husband. She paid close attention to every movement and word Lorcan spoke.
Lorcan started the conversation with polite yet formal questions. He expressed interest in Clarisse's hobbies and daily life, though his inquiries felt somewhat superficial. His gaze was sharp, listening intently to every word, as if ensuring this conversation would be enough to form an opinion about her.
Clarisse responded simply, though her heart pounded in her chest. Every time she stole a glance at Lorcan, the thought of spending a life with a man who seemed emotionally unreachable filled her with more doubt. Their interaction felt distant and formal.
After a while, Lorcan requested permission to take a walk in the garden, inviting Clarisse to accompany him. Though it was a simple gesture, Clarisse hoped it would give her a glimpse of another side of the Duke. However, despite the slight shift in atmosphere, Lorcan's demeanor remained emotionally guarded.
"What are you thinking about?" Lorcan asked suddenly, his gaze fixed on her.
Snapping out of her thoughts, Clarisse answered calmly, "I was just thinking about how sudden all of this feels. It's like everything changed in an instant."
"Yes, it has," Lorcan replied, nodding with quiet understanding.
Clarisse looked at him with curiosity. "I honestly never expected you to be interested in me. Aren't there many other women who are more suitable?"
Lorcan met her gaze with sharp confidence. "Because you are different from them."
"Different?" Clarisse repeated, uncertainty and surprise lacing her voice. "What makes me different?"
"Of all the people I've met, you have something unique," Lorcan said seriously. "You're not just one of them. There's something about you that makes me want to know you better."
Clarisse fell silent. Lorcan's words echoed in her mind, stirring emotions she had never felt before. In the quiet moment between them, she sensed that something was beginning to shift, though she wasn't sure what it was. Their walk through the garden ended with a mix of emotions that would be hard to forget.
TO BE CONTINUED