Locked In The Past

The heavy wooden door slammed shut behind me, the sharp click of the lock sealing my fate. I stood frozen in the dim candlelight, my breath uneven as the reality of my situation sank in. I had been jailed in my own room.

Well—not my room. María's.

I turned, my skirts rustling against the floor as I scanned the lavish space. The massive canopy bed, the ornate vanity, the gold-lined mirror—all of it screamed wealth, power, and control. But to me, it was just a glorified cage.

I pressed my forehead against the door, my fists clenched. Outside, I could hear the murmuring of the guards stationed at my door. There was no way out. Not unless I wanted to launch myself out the second-story window.

A sharp knock cut through the silence.

The door opened, and my father strode in, his expression carved from stone.

I swallowed hard, straightening.

"Father—"

A harsh slap against the wood of the doorframe made me flinch.

"You have disgraced this family again, María Georgiana," he said coldly.

I opened my mouth to protest, but he raised a hand, silencing me. His sharp blue eyes—our eyes—pierced into me like knives.

"You were promised to King Severinus, yet I find you in the gardens with a ruined man. Tell me, do you take pleasure in humiliating me?"

I gritted my teeth. "I wasn't—I mean, I wasn't doing anything wrong!"

"Enough!" His voice cracked like a whip.

I flinched again.

"You are a failure." His words were low, slow, deliberate. "A failure of a daughter. A failure of a lady. And if you continue this disgraceful behavior, you will be a failure of a wife as well."

A lump formed in my throat.

"You will stay here until you have regained some sense," he continued. "And tomorrow, you will apologize to Severinus for your disrespect."

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. "And what about Noachus?"

A muscle in his jaw twitched. "Noachus is no longer your concern. He is where he belongs."

My stomach twisted. "Where he—"

"You will never see him again."

I felt something deep in my chest crack.

With that final blow, my father turned and strode out, slamming the door behind him. The lock clicked once more.

I stood in silence, my body trembling with anger, frustration, and something dangerously close to hopelessness.

Then—another knock.

This one was softer.

Before I could answer, the door creaked open, and my sister stepped inside.

Ambrielle.

She moved with a quiet grace, her gown flowing like water as she crossed the room. She was stunning—regal, poised, everything a noble lady should be.

Everything I wasn't.

She shut the door gently behind her and sighed. "You're lucky he didn't do worse."

I scoffed. "Oh yeah, I feel so lucky."

Ambrielle gave me a look before stepping closer. "María… you truly meant to run away with him?"

I hesitated. "I—I don't know."

Her sharp gaze studied me, as if she could see straight through my lies.

"I understand why you would," she murmured.

I blinked. "You… do?"

She exhaled, folding her hands in front of her. "Do you truly think you are the only one who has longed to escape?"

Something in her voice made me pause.

Then—she hesitated.

Ambrielle never hesitated.

"You wanted to run too," I realized, my voice barely above a whisper.

Ambrielle looked away.

I stepped closer.

"You—" I sucked in a breath. "It was Grey Ivor, wasn't it?"

The way she stiffened told me everything I needed to know.

I gasped. "Oh my God. You and Grey?"

She shot me a glare. "Lower your voice."

I threw my hands up. "Ambrielle, what the hell?! You and Grey?"

She pressed her lips together, eyes flashing with warning. "It was years ago."

"But—it was a thing?"

She exhaled sharply, turning away. "It was never meant to be a thing."

I stared at her, my mind reeling. Ambrielle—the perfect, untouchable noblewoman—had fallen for the Lord Commander of the Royal Guards?

For out Father, who is a King, it is probably unacceptable.

But she had wanted to run too.

But something stopped her.

"What happened?" I asked.

Ambrielle's face hardened. "The same thing that will happen to you if you do not stop chasing foolish dreams."

I flinched.

She sighed and reached out, gently touching my arm. "Do not let Father hear of this. He will not be so lenient next time."

And with that, she turned and left, the door clicking shut behind her.

I stood there, my thoughts spinning.

Ambrielle and Grey.

She wanted to run.

She didn't.

Why?

I exhaled shakily, pushing my thoughts aside. My father and sister had both made one thing very clear—I was trapped.

But María Georgiana had a plan.

I needed to know what it was.

I turned, scanning the room. If María had been planning to run, she must have left something behind—a note, a letter, something.

My eyes landed on the ornate wooden chest near the vanity.

Bingo.

I rushed over, yanking it open. Silk gloves, ribbons, jewelry—nothing useful.

Then, at the very bottom, a book.

I pulled it out, my breath hitching as I read the words on the cover.

M.G.S

María Georgiana Salviari.

Her diary.

I sank onto the floor, gripping the worn leather, my pulse racing.

This was it.

This was where I would find the truth.

I flipped it open, my eyes scanning the first page.

"My dearest Noachus, if love were free from duty, I would choose you."

I sucked in a breath.

Whatever had happened between them… whatever fate María had been running from…

It was all right here.

And I was about to find out everything.