Chapter 3

After Luke's departure, the days passed with an unsettling silence that Katherine couldn't quite place.

After the tense exchange between them and his revelation about his departure, she lost herself in thought. The encounter in the garden left strange feelings within her, which she rather surpassed, maybe even hope. She wondered, but she couldn't afford that luxury, not in a place like this, not with him. After all, she anxiously awaited the emperor's next moves.

In her quarters, she paced like a restless lioness locked in an unbreakable cage. Her stormy thoughts filled the room as the maids scurried around her organizing and tidying, but she paid them no mind. Her whole life had been dictated by others, by her family's greed for power and validation from the current emperor, and yet here she was, thinking to herself if Luke Eldridge could be different from the puppet she presumed him to be.

Suddenly the maid's voice pulled her away from those thoughts 

"My lady, there are quite a few letters for you from the capital I have brought with me should you choose to review them," the maid said as she scattered away.

Letters? she said out loud even though there was no one around any longer she immediately looked at them with curiosity she had many invitations to tea parties she must admit she didn't expect it after all she was known as a cold lady from the Marlow family the only times she was invited to such social gatherings was only out of fear and the wrath of her family.

Miles away, Luke Eldridge and his party arrived at the northern border. Snow blanketed the landscape, and the chill was biting. Yet what awaited them was worse than he'd anticipated.

A knight galloped toward him, his armor splattered with mud and blood.

"My lord! Scouts have confirmed the reports—magical beasts have broken through the barrier!"

Luke's expression hardened. "How far?"

"They've reached the villages at the edge of the forest. A few have already attacked."

Luke dismounted swiftly. "Gather the men. We leave for the forest within the hour."

As his men scrambled to obey, Luke turned to Cedric.

"This isn't random," Luke said grimly. "It's too precise, too deliberate."

Cedric frowned. "Do you suspect the emperor's involvement?"

"I suspect he knows more than he's told us," Luke replied, mounting his horse again.

But even as he rode toward the threat, a part of his mind lingered on the woman he'd left behind, however, he had no time for that, the people were in danger, and he kept the thoughts about his fiance locked away in the back of his mind.

Valoria's northern frontier was a harsh, unforgiving land. Towering trees with frost-laden branches stretched into the sky like skeletal hands. Somewhere beyond the treeline lay the source of the disturbance—magical beasts whose recent incursions threatened not only the people's safety but also the fragile balance Luke had worked so hard to maintain.

Luke and his knight fought their way into the first village managing to get rid of the lurking magical beasts. Luke got off his horse as what seemed to be the villager's leader ran toward him, falling to the ground in front of him and bowing.

As the man fell to the floor bowing to me I immediately helped him back up from the cold harsh snowy ground and he spoke immediately. 

"My lord Eldridge u came to save us! Thank you the beasts have been quiet lately none of us know what made them enter even further into the village!" the elderly man said as I looked around the wounded and ruined houses. 

I ran a hand over my face thinking, after all, what the elder said was true the beasts were much calmer in their own territory lately which couldn't explain their sudden breach into the villages.

Luke stood in the frozen village square, the wind howling as his eyes swept over the devastation. Snow, stained crimson, crunched beneath his boots as he approached the gathered villagers. Their faces bore the weight of terror and loss, but there was something else—an unspoken plea for salvation.

A sudden movement caught his attention. A young boy, no older than ten, clutched a makeshift wooden sword, his eyes burning with defiance. He stood protectively in front of a woman—his mother, Luke assumed. The sight sent a pang through his chest.

Cedric stepped beside him, his expression grim. "This isn't normal," he muttered. "Magical beasts don't breach barriers without reason."

"I am aware…'' Luke said already feeling the migraine that would come ahead

"What do you want to do my lord" Cedric asked as he noticed Luke's frown "My lord? Are you feeling alright? 

"Yes yes" I waved Cedric off looking into the woods ..'' lets bring a few soldiers and the others will stay here to help the villagers" Cedric nodded, rushing to fulfill the duke's command. 

As they rushed into the forest Luke slayed the beasts who stood in his path as they entered deeper into the forest a man jumped on Luke..an assassin? Luke wondered to himself as he could suddenly feel his side aching and his knights rushing to him…

I stood back up as I struggled to hold the assassin the knights quickly got a better grip on the assassin …right as I was about to question him despite my aching side the assassin bit his tongue and died instantly..it seemed there was nothing else for us to do in this forest any longer I thought to myself "let's go back" I said as no one refused the order.

In the village, I was treated by the alarmed villagers who came to our aid immediately due to our kindness in saving and protecting them and their village. I was put on a wooden bed too tired to speak or calm Cedric as he was fussing around me with the village doctor. I took the opportunity to rest.

Katherine wandered through the halls of the Marlowe estate, the absence of Luke leaving an unfamiliar void in her days. Though she had often resented his presence, she found his absence far worse—at least when he was here, she could anticipate his movements, and gauge his motives. Now, she was left in the dark, uncertain of what awaited him at the northern border and what danger might yet come for her.

The staff moved cautiously around her, aware of her restless energy. Whispers of unrest in the capital reached her ears, but no letters arrived from Luke, nor any sign of his fate.

"Why would he even send me a letter I am a fool to expect anything from him" I thought to myself as I kept walking the servants nervously after me, however...I still had a bad feeling it hadn't been long since I arrived at the duke's estate and now he was away on an important mission at the border on the other hand her days had been quiet yet haunted with restless thoughts.

Suddenly Katherine paused as the servants flinched at the sudden stop of their lady.." my lady?" one of the servants asked, confused.

"Fetch me a pen and paper. I will be sending it to my husband to make it quick''. The servants nodded immediately, surprised by the sudden request after all ever since the lord's departure she hadn't uttered a word about him.

Later that evening, Katherine sat at one of the grand sofas, staring intensely at the still-empty paper before her. She had never been at a loss for words, yet now, she found herself hesitating. The northern border was dangerous, and though she would not openly admit it, a part of her was curious—was he faring well? Had he even thought of her since his departure?

Exhaling softly, she finally dipped her quill in ink and began to write.

To His Grace, Duke Eldridge,

I trust this letter reaches you in good health and sound mind. Though our arrangement has never been one of sentiment, I find myself writing to inquire about your progress at the border. News in the capital isn't quite reliable. The whispers that do reach me speak of unrest. I suspect much is being hidden.

The court has taken note of your absence. Invitations flood my doorstep, and I am well aware they come not from goodwill, but curiosity. The wolves have begun circling, testing the strength of my position. You, of all people, understand the nature of such games.

I do not ask for pleasantries or reassurances—I know better than to expect them. But if you have a moment between battles and strategy, I would know whether you intend to return victorious or if I should begin making arrangements for your memorial.

Do not mistake my words for worry. I merely prefer certainty over speculation.

Katherine Marlowe.

She closed the envelope sealing it with the mansion seal and gave it away. It was almost breathing down her neck with curiosity and anticipation. She wondered if the letter would reach its destination safely.