(Chapter 38)
Clarisse Faeloria received a letter from Lorcan Frostborne, the news she had long awaited. It stated that they had successfully defeated the barbarians. As she read the last sentence, a faint smile appeared on her face. Clarisse felt a sense of relief; Lorcan had returned safely and completed his mission. However, there was something she couldn't ignore. Throughout Lorcan's absence, Clarisse had been uneasy. Despite trying to deny the feeling, the truth was that for almost a month, her mind had been filled with endless worry.
"My lady...?"
The voice of Sasa interrupted her thoughts. Sasa, her loyal maid, looked at her with concern. "You don't look well," she said, her tone filled with worry.
Clarisse gave a small smile, trying to reassure Sasa. "Is it that obvious?" she replied, attempting to sound cheerful. "I'm fine. I'm just thinking about the next steps."
"Is this still about the Duke's request?" Sasa asked again, her voice tinged with concern.
Clarisse nodded slowly. "Yes, that request has been weighing on my mind."
A few days ago, Clarisse had written a letter to her mother, Eleanor Faeloria, asking for advice on the situation she was facing. The response she received was clear: "You must follow Lorcan's wishes. After all, he is your husband." Although the answer made sense, Clarisse felt there was something missing. Should she always set aside her feelings to fulfill Lorcan's desires?
Muttering to herself, Clarisse said, "Isn't this ridiculous? Should I care more about his feelings than my own?"
She then turned to Sasa and asked playfully, "Sasa, if you were in my position, what would you do?"
Sasa paused for a moment, thinking. "I don't know what to say, my lady. I think... I would be in a great deal of trouble."
Clarisse raised an eyebrow. "Trouble?"
"Yes, if I were in your position," Sasa replied carefully. "I would be afraid to face the Duke. I've seen the way he looks at you, and it intimidates me. His intentions are good, but... sometimes good intentions can seem frightening. I can't imagine being in your shoes."
Clarisse fell silent. Sasa's words touched something deep within her. It was true, Lorcan could appear intimidating. However, after getting to know him better, Clarisse understood that it was just his natural demeanor—stern and commanding. But lately, the letters Lorcan had sent felt different. There was a softness in every word he wrote, as if there had been a shift in how he viewed the world, or perhaps himself.
Clarisse felt something new—a small hope that Lorcan might be changing, little by little.
"Has he finally realized his mistakes and his harsh ways all this time?" Clarisse smiled with satisfaction. Her mother's advice had proven true: patience was the key. If Lorcan was indeed changing, then perhaps following the flow wasn't such a bad thing.
"I just need to wait and see," she whispered, gazing out the window where the sun was beginning to set, painting the sky with a warm orange hue. Clarisse was reminded once again of her mother's words: "Patience will open doors that are difficult." She took a deep breath, trying to calm her mind. It was difficult, but she knew she had to stay strong. Lorcan might change, but change surely takes time.
Looking at the letter in her hand, Clarisse murmured softly, "I will wait... maybe this is just the beginning of something bigger." Yet, deep in her heart, she knew that waiting was no easy task. There were still lingering worries that haunted her, like an invisible shadow. What if her hopes were in vain? Would Lorcan really change, or was this just a fleeting illusion? These questions kept swirling in her mind, adding to the burden she already carried. However, Clarisse decided to hold on, keeping her hope alive. "Time will give the answer," she said quietly, trying to reassure herself.