Chapter 1: You're the Day and I'm The Night.
Just like magnets, opposite attracts.
I spent 5 years crushing silently on someone who hated me.
He hated me to the core but even so, I loved him.
Duke Clyde Heinrich was the most perfect man I've ever seen. He was the only one that is fit to be my husband.
I spent another 5 years married to him.
Political marriage caused me to become Mrs. Heinrich.
My father is the third-most powerful aristocrat in our kingdom, despite the fact that my family only held the title of Marquis.
The emperor is so cunning that he made his eldest son marry me and become the Duke in order for my family to support the royal family.
He never gave me a loving glance; instead, he kept his distance.
But even so, I loved him.
I spent a lot of time in his castle, which always seemed empty to me.
I didn't have a family or a partner there.
I was alone everywhere I went. I was constantly being chased by repulsive gaze.
I was left alone inside the Duke's castle with no one by my side because the Duke made no effort to return home.
He might have resented the fact that I married him.
I wonder why he hates me so much.
Another year had passed, and despite my brief encounters with him, he continued to ignore me. Thus I never had a meaningful conversation with him.
"My lady, you don't look so well... I called the physician to check on you. I'm sorry for not telling you beforehand. I know that you'll refuse to see a physician."
As if not being able to talk to my husband wasn't bad enough, The Gods showed their hatred towards me.
"I'm sorry my lady, as of now... your illness is incurable. I will try my best to find a cure for you. For the time being, I beg of you to hold on."
"How much time do I have left?"
"If you stay in this Icy mountains, A-At most... a month... I advice you to go back to your parent's house for the time being. Warm weather makes your illness spread slower."
"I understand. for the time being, make sure no one gets the wind of this."
After hearing about my illness, I was sure that I don't have much time to live.
But still... A month isn't enough to do everything I want to do with Clyde.
I want to spend my remaining time with him.
that's why I decided to write him a letter.
"Your highness, I don't feel too well, I wish to see your highness. I hope you can make time to see me. I also hope that your highness would accompany me on my way to my parent's home a week from now."
I waited for his reply yet a week passed by and I received nothing.
My illness spread rapidly due to the cold weather in the north, just as the doctor predicted.
A week had passed, my stuff were packed, and yet no response from the Duke.
"My lady, let us go first; it appears that his highness will not be arriving tonight."
My personal maid commented as she helped me carry my belongings to the carriage.
"I wouldn't move an inch as long as I don't see him." I said with a smile.
I waited in the heavy snow, hoping that he would come to see me.
I saw a shadow from afar, although the snow is thick and I couldn't see clearly, my heart was full of hope that it would be my husband on the other side of the snow storm.
If he sees me, would he pity this state of mine, would he warm my hand and be sorry for making me wait under this heavy snow storm?
The light of hope in my heart disappeared, it was filled with disappointment.
My weeping maid approached my pathetic state and held me close.
"My lady... I just don't understand. If his highness truly cared for you... how could he make time to attend the king's ball yet couldn't even make some time to reply to the lady's letter nor see you?" my maid wailed, hugging me tightly.
Every glimmer of hope in my heart vanished, and I felt myself shatter like a broken glass.
"Let's head back inside. It's quite cold tonight."
Midnight came, the maids and knights are sleeping.
I grabbed my hood and wore it to conceal myself.
I never learned how to ride a horse so I walked by feet.
I walked through the snowy mountains and accidentally injured my feet on the sharp stone.
I can already see the Castle lights and lanterns but my shoes broke. my feet were bleeding yet I still wanted to see him.
I removed my shoes and walked on the cold snow.
I passed by the vendors and saw the lights of the festival for the first time.
"Psst, lady! come here." someone shouted at me.
"Y-yes?"
"Oh child, your feet are bruised. Are you perhaps a maid?" the elderly woman asked.
"Oh- I..."
"Come and wear these shoes. You should take care of your pitiful self child." The elderly said and bandage my feet then put on the shoes.
"I-I'm sorry, I didn't bring any money." I said and tried to remove the shoes from my feet.
The elderly stopped me and looked at me warmly in the eyes.
"My child, I think this shoe found it's owner. You are just like the night. I knew this shoe would fit you."
I was going to ask her about what she was talking about but the palace bell started ringing. It indicates that the ball ended and attendees should return to their homes.
"I would love to talk but it seems you are in a hurry, forget about the shoes and hurry along. I'm sure good things will happen to you in distant future."
I had a lot of question to ask but I have to hurry so I quickly ran as fast as I could to meet Clyde.
I was so close yet my body is already giving up.
I saw him from the distance, I know it is him.
"L-lady? are you okay?" a lady exclaimed.
"Yes pl--" I couldn't finish my words because blood started gushing out my mouth.
"Someone! Help!" she shouted.
Knights began to gather to guard her.
"An assassin?" asked a familiar voice.
When I looked up to see who was pointing the sword at my throat, I realized it was my husband.
The crown prince stood next to him and recognized me right away.
"Duchess?" he asked, surprised.
"B-blood! she was coughing blood!" cried the woman.
I felt my consciousness fading, my husband quickly withdrew his sword to hold me.
"What in the world happened to you?" he shouted as he hurried to get me to safety.
I attempted to maintain my consciousness for as long as possible, but I can feel my body slowly surrendering my soul.
"Hold on, Belle. The doctor is coming, Don't close your eyes."
He held my hand and kept it warm in between his palm.
His eyes looked at me worriedly. It was as if he loved me.
"Why are you looking at me with such intense eyes? You're giving me false hope, as if you love me too."
"What are you talking about? I'm doing everything I can because I love you."
Tears streamed down his bright eyes. His eyes are no longer as brilliant as they once were.
"I waited for you for 6 years, your highness; why didn't you come? I wrote you letters; why didn't you respond? I only hope your highness doesn't despise me too much."
"I've never disliked you!" he cried, pulling my body in closer.
"I never disliked you," he continued.
The physician arrived to check on my condition, and the palace was soon engulfed in darkness.
"I'm sorry, your highness; it appears that the lady has been ill for some time, and I'm afraid she won't make it tonight."
"You call yourself a doctor?! If she dies, your body will be buried with her!" he shouted.
"Your highness, I'm afraid you're 6 years late."
He glanced at me again, this time with tears in his eyes.
He rested his chin on my hand.
He cried as loud as he could, I never thought that he would cry like this for me.
My whole body finally felt tired and I did not feel like waiting anymore.
My maids rushed to the room only to see my miserable state.
"My lady..."
"The stars are beautiful tonight, I too- shall become one."
"Don't worry, I will surely follow you and find you wherever you are." he whispered and hugged me tightly.
"I'm looking forward 'til our next meeting your highness."
"I hope by then you will look at me with those brilliant eyes brighter than the starry sky tonight."
His black hair and blue eyes stood out under the starry night sky.
He held me for the last time until life left my body.
This time, he was the one who was left crying, yet I was the one who felt most pain.
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OnyxNymph
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