CHAPTER SEVEN : THE PRICE OF LOYALTY(3)

Diana smiled softly as she accepted the bouquet of flowers from Julian. The vibrant blooms were delicate and fresh, their fragrance wafting gently between them. She glanced at him, noting the awkward way he rubbed the back of his head, avoiding her gaze. There was something almost boyish in the gesture, a flicker of the man she had once fallen in love with.

"Thank you," she said, her voice calm and composed, though her chest felt heavy. She reached out to touch one of the flowers absentmindedly before lifting her gaze to meet his. "Julian, about this morning... I think we need to talk."

Julian's hand froze mid-motion, his expression stiffening. "Diana..." he began, but his voice faltered. He hesitated, then walked to the desk, pulling open one of the drawers. He retrieved a bundle of letters tied neatly with string and set them on the table between them.

"These," he said, his voice tight, "came to me while I was away."

Diana's brows furrowed as she looked at the letters. "What are they?"

"Letters," Julian explained reluctantly, "from someone anonymous. They said... things. That you had an affair. That you disliked me. That—" He stopped himself, shaking his head. "I didn't want to believe them, but when I came back and saw how much you'd changed... I didn't know what to think."

Diana inhaled sharply, her hand tightening on the bouquet. "You thought I had betrayed you?"

"No!" Julian said quickly, shaking his head. "I—I didn't know what to believe. It's just... when I was at my lowest, when I couldn't even bring myself to face another battle, Evelyne was there. She helped me recover, Diana. Her kindness, her gentleness—it was different. I owed her that much."

His words hung in the air, a blade between them. Diana's expression didn't falter, but her grip on the flowers loosened slightly. "And now?" she asked quietly, her tone even.

Julian hesitated again, running a hand through his hair. "It's just a phase," he said finally. "I promise you, Diana, it doesn't mean anything. After all, it's normal for a man to have a few lovers, isn't it? But you—you've always been the most important to me."

Diana stared at him, her thoughts a whirlwind. She forced herself to take a deep breath, her voice steady when she asked, "And Evelyne? What is she to you?"

Julian's gaze wavered. "I... I like her, Diana," he admitted, the words barely audible. "But I can't do anything about it. I'm a married man. You're my wife."

The room was silent for a long moment, save for the faint rustling of leaves outside the window. Diana's chest felt tight, her thoughts spiraling. She understood now what had been gnawing at her heart. Julian had never truly left the duchy before. He had only ever seen her—a girl, a woman—as a partner, someone taken for granted. But the vast world outside had shown him something new, something he hadn't realized he was missing.

And yet, as her mind wandered to darker places, she caught a glimpse of his eyes. They were filled with worry, not for himself, but for her. The same eyes that had once looked at her with unshakable devotion.

Diana smiled faintly, pushing the pain deep into the recesses of her heart. She had always been practical, always resilient. "Maybe you're right," she said softly. "Maybe we just need time together."

Julian looked at her with a flicker of relief, nodding. "Yes. We do."

She forced herself to smile wider, stepping closer to him. "Let's not think too much about it, then. After all, it's not uncommon for a man to have... mistresses, is it?" Her voice didn't waver, though the words tasted bitter. "As long as I'm still the one by your side, it's fine."

She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into an embrace. Julian flinched slightly at the contact, his hesitation noticeable. But after a moment, he returned the hug, his arms wrapping around her stiffly.

As Diana rested her head against his chest, she closed her eyes. It's fine, she told herself, though the ache in her heart didn't lessen. Julian would never betray me. This is just how things are. This is what it means to be a wife, isn't it?

But even as she thought it, a single tear slipped down her cheek, hidden from Julian's view as she clung to the man she loved—and the man who might never fully understand the depth of her devotion.

*****

Diana was walking through the hall when she heard the familiar sound of Evelyne's light, melodious laughter. Following the sound, she saw Evelyne sitting gracefully at the tea table, chatting happily with none other than her mother-in-law, Madam Ausben.

Diana paused for a moment. Madam Ausben, who was usually cold and disapproving, seemed utterly charmed by Evelyne's presence. Their smiles and laughter filled the room as though they had known each other for years.

"Ah, Diana," Evelyne called sweetly upon noticing her. "Please, come join us for tea."

Diana hesitated, but stepped into the room. Madam Ausben wrinkled her nose in displeasure but said nothing as Diana took a seat. The conversation resumed, and Diana found herself quickly sidelined, a quiet observer as Evelyne and Madam Ausben fell into an easy rhythm of compliments and shared opinions.

"She's truly elegant, isn't she?" Madam Ausben said, gesturing to Evelyne. "Such beauty, such grace. And her hands—so soft and delicate, like a proper lady. A stark contrast, I must say."

Evelyne smiled faintly, as though trying to deflect the praise. "Madam, you're too kind. But truly, I admire Diana's intelligence. It's not an easy path she's walked."

Despite the words, Diana felt the underlying sting, subtle and sharp like a blade hidden beneath silk. Evelyne's gaze lingered on her, soft but calculating.

Madam Ausben clicked her tongue. "Still, I can't help but think... if only you, Evelyne, could be his wife instead of just a concubine or lover. After all, you're a noblewoman—unlike some who are born low and simply use their looks to climb."

The words struck, but Diana sat still, her face composed. Evelyne's expression shifted slightly, a hint of discomfort flashing across her features. "Madam, that's unfair," Evelyne said softly. "Diana is Julian's wife and has done much for the duchy."

Diana's lips tightened. Evelyne's words were a defense, but they wrapped around her like a serpent, squeezing and suffocating her.

When Madam Ausben began to speak again, Diana finally had enough. Rising from her chair, she stared coldly at the older woman. "If I'm unmannered, then let me embrace that title fully," she said sharply.

Both women looked up in shock, Evelyne raising her hand as if to protest. "Diana—"

But Diana wasn't done. Her gaze fixed on Madam Ausben, calm but piercing. "If not for this 'lowborn seductress,'" she said, her voice cutting through the air like a blade, "you wouldn't have had the money to purchase that necklace you're wearing so proudly." She pointed at the extravagant piece adorning Madam Ausben's neck.

The older woman's hand instinctively flew to the necklace, her face flushing with a mix of indignation and embarrassment.

"It's a gift bought with the earnings of your 'educated daughter-in-law,'" Diana continued. "So tell me, Madam, who exactly has disgraced this family?"

The room fell into a stunned silence. Evelyne's lips parted, but no words came out. Madam Ausben sputtered, her usual composure shattered.

Diana turned to leave but stopped at the doorway. Without turning back, she said, "Next time, Madam, remember that I am not someone who will bow my head to empty words. And Evelyne," she added, her tone icily polite, "I suggest you enjoy your tea. After all, it seems you've found your place here already."

With that, Diana walked out, leaving the room heavy with the weight of her words.