Chapter Forty-Six

The days blurred together as Lucien and I spent countless hours lost in each other's company. We wandered through the castle gardens, lingered in the library, and shared meals in the grand dining hall. Yet, as intimate as these moments were, they were often interrupted by stolen kisses and passionate embraces.

Guilt gnawed at me, a constant, heavy weight on my conscience. I had abandoned my connection with Aiden, the man who had loved me unconditionally. I couldn't fathom how I had managed to reach out to him that one night, and now, with the chasm of my betrayal widening, I dreaded the thought of facing him.

The knowledge that Aiden was alive, at least for now, offered a flicker of hope. I prayed that he would remain hidden until Lucien's reign ended, giving me a chance to atone for my mistakes. Only then, perhaps, could I face Aiden with any semblance of dignity.