Please Let It Go

Melissa didn't stop walking until she reached her carriage. She instructed Sir Andrew to send her home immediately. In the carriage, Melissa covered her face and tried to think. But everything was blurry, something foreign seemed to overlap with her own heart and mind.

Melissa thought Lady Melissa's feelings had long been buried deep inside her, with no risk of it being resurfaced since she had committed herself to Duke Kensington. Apparently, her desires for the Duke wasn't strong enough to suppress the original owner's romantic feelings for the Prince. And because of her own lack of vigilance, she had allowed the Prince to kiss her, which in turn evoked the original owner's feelings.

Melissa sighed heavily. Doesn't that mean she had cheated on the Duke? And to make matters worse, the Duke had walked in on them.

Melissa was truly aggrieved, and ashamed at the same time. What can she do to erase the original owner's feelings towards another man? And how would she face Zachary after this? Is he mad at her? Disappointed? As for Prince Xavier, she can't possibly be angry at him. It's not his fault, he's really in love with Lady Melissa, and thought that she's her. 

When Melissa reached home, she went straight to her art room, avoiding her father and brother. Lily saw her arrival but sensing her Mistress's mood, she merely sent her a pot of hot tea and left her alone. 

Melissa sat on her stool, looking at the blank canvass. Her thoughts drifted from both the Duke and the Prince. She felt like she's wronged both of them. Melissa's tears subsequently rolled down her cheeks and she picked up her brush. She started moving the brush aimlessly, with nothing in mind. Her hands movement became faster and faster, and in the end the canvass was filled with aimless, meaningless strokes as she vented her anger on it. 

Suddenly, a pair of hands reached out from behind and embraced her tightly, stopping her actions midair. Melissa's body became rigid, but in the next instant she relaxed as she smelled the familiar body scent emanated from the person behind her. Melissa cried like she had never cried before and her body slumped against the person's strong chest. 

Duke Kensington turned the crying girl around and hugged her tightly, while stroking her head. 

Sensing that she would not calm down anytime soon, he carried her to the couch and sat down with her on his lap. Melissa's hand gripped the Duke's coat, and she rested her head against him while crying her heart out. She knew she looked like a mess but she couldn't care less. At least he's here now with her, and she needed that. 

"Melissa.." The Duke called out to her.

Melissa's crying subsided and she sat there quietly. 

"Why did you cry?" He asked.

"Zachary, I'm sorry." She finally said. Duke Kensington knew she must've referred to the earlier incident. He didn't want her to dwell on it. 

He turned her face to look at him and her messy look tugged at his heartstrings. He lowered his head to kiss her lightly and he wiped the tears off her face. 

"Hmmm! Hmmm!" Lord Melvin cleared his throat to alert the two people in the room when he saw this scene. His ears reddened by the sight of this intimacy between his sister and the Duke. Although he was not pleased, but thinking of the dangerous Casanova, he'd rather see his sister in the Duke's arms rather than Lord Benjamin's. 

Melissa turned her face to look at her brother. When Lord Melvin saw her tear stricken face, he was alarmed and quickly went over to check on her. He pulled her away from the Duke's embrace and checked her from top to toe to see if she's alright. 

"What happened? Why did you cry like this? What did you do to her?" With the final question, Lord Melvin looked at the Duke accusingly. 

Duke Kensington was annoyed at being interrupted. He merely shook his head at Lord Melvin and stood up. He went over to hug her briefly and kissed her head before heading home. 

"Mel?" Lord Melvin asked again.

"Nothing Brother. I was just too tired." Melissa answered. 

"I see. Rest well. Leave the gallery affairs to Andrew. He's more than capable enough to handle it for you." Lord Melvin said. After making sure Melissa was alright, he left her alone to rest. 

That night, Melissa had a long dream. When she opened her eyes, she was in a garden. There was a huge tree in front of her. When she got nearer, she saw a girl. The girl looked exactly like her. 

Lady Melissa smiled at her and beckoned her to sit next to her. 

Are you afraid?

Afraid?

Yes, of falling in love.

I don't believe in love. 

You concealed your heart a long time ago, Melissa. You need to let it go.

Let it go? I don't understand.

When you found out about what your parents did to you, you no longer believe in love. You need to let your resentment go, and start anew. As long as you still closed your heart to love, my feelings and emotions would occupy the empty shell. I'm sorry that I can't take it all away from you. 

Are you saying, if I fall in love, I will no longer feel yours? 

Yes, your heart cannot stay empty without love Melissa. 

But I don't love anyone. How am I supposed to fill it with love? Does familial love count?

No. Open your heart. Let the past go. Only then will you be unburdened.

Wait, don't go!

The girl smiled at Melissa and walked into the distance, leaving her alone. 

Melissa woke up instantly and was immediately alerted of a figure sitting by her bedside. She wanted to scream but a hand reached out to stop her.

When Melissa realized who it was, she was puzzled. "Zachary? What're you doing here?"

"I'm worried about you. Did you have a nightmare?" The Duke asked.

"Not exactly a nightmare. It's just a dream. Seriously, did no one see you coming in?"

Duke Kensington grinned and shook his head. "I think your father needs to buff up the security of the Manor. I slipped in undetected easily."

Melissa closed her eyes and leaned back against the bed frame. Suddenly, she felt the Duke's hot breath brushed against her face and before she could react, he had kissed her. His hand went around her head and brought her face forward. 

Melissa returned his kiss while hugging the Duke close to her. She gently bit on his lower lip, causing the man to kiss her deeper and harder. When they were both out of breath, their lips parted and both of them stared into each other's eyes. 

"Melissa, shall we get married sooner?" Duke Kensington suddenly blurted out the question which had been boiling in his mind ever since that night at the gallery.