"My lady, a letter is waiting for you." Eli dragged her tired body and sat on her office chair.
There was a letter in the envelope of red colour with a royal seal but it had a flower with it. She did not need to open it to know the contents.
These days each letter has the same words. She knew that the matter was pressing and needed urgent actions but she was not able to react to it.
She knew that she had to take action quickly but her family was suffering from too many problems that she was not able to put herself on priority.
Taking a deep breath, she opened the letter,
"My love,
I am missing the warmth of your body so damn much that I am thinking of kidnapping you once again.
But wouldn't it be better that we will finally do the ceremony and you will come to live with me forever. Then I will be able to see you to my heart's content.
But for that, you have to decide. It is an all known secret that the duke's eldest child is a man named Ethan, not you.
Now either you have to rebel with me or you have to accept them as your new patents.
I know that I should not force you to make a decision. But my father had already written a letter to the duke and it would only be a matter of time when you would be called into the royal court for the annulment of our engagement.
But let me remind you, I would burn the whole empire but not leave you. Decision is in your hands and I beg you to not ask for more time.
I love you, Andrew." she sighed as she hugged the letter.
She knew that the matter was pressing and he was suffering from her delays. But choosing someone else as parents would mean that she had to leave this palace. And with the chaos here, she could not think of doing that.
She closed her eyes as she felt the pain in her heart.
Just when she was about to stand up, her eyes fell on the file again. The image of a family that looked happy together passed through her eyes and soon the image was replaced by her family where Duke William and his wife were sitting on the sofa and three kids were standing behind them in a poised manner.
Leo's hands were on his mother's shoulder while she and Eve had a happy smile on their faces.
That was a peaceful and loving period of their life.
In the end, she picked up the parchment and wrote a letter back to Andrew with a heavy heart.
"My lady, would you like to eat something? You have had a meal since morning." Eli shook her head and went to her balcony to get some fresh air when she noticed a horse she was too familiar with and the man who was hidden in a cloak.
As if sensing her presence, Andrew raised his head and smiled looking at the horror on her perfect face.
"What! What are you doing here?" She looked around like a cat stealing the milk when he took off his cloak from his face and stood up on the horse.
"I came here to meet you since you have not replied to me." with great excitement and feigning ignorance of her worries.
He jumped from the horse only to land on the floor of the balcony beside her.
The sound of the strong thud gained the attention of many maids who walked towards her.
"My lady, are you alright?" cae the worried sound from the other side of the curtains when she shook her head but realized they could not see her.
"No, I am fine. You do not need to worry about me. I am tired and want to rest, so, all of you can leave." she ordered and could hear a lot of mirrors. They all were looking confused and worried but none of them had the courage to defy her orders.
They all bowed their heads and left the area. When the man hugged her with all his might.
He hid his head on the crook of her neck and took a whiff. She was the only thing that calmed him.
"How did you even get in?" she asked as listened carefully. She wanted to check if all of them had already left when he rubbed his forehead on her shoulders.
"I was missing you and,.. You were not replying. So, I was worried.'' He spoke softly while looking at her with an aggrieved look.
From the time they had spent together in the inn, she had become too busy that she was not able to spend any time with him.
She was no less than a noble man who had forgotten about his lover after spending one night with him.
"That.. you know how things have turned messier. Father is sick too and Eve.. she is gone. Sigh.. I did not know whether to laugh or cry to think that I am the only sane one left in the palace.`` She did not even want to talk about others.
Even if he asked, she had no explanation except apologising.
"What do you mean by run away?" he frowned when she realized he still did not know anything. So, she told him everything happened with her and in the family when his eyes widened.
"If you want, I can send the search party and knights to look for Evelyn.
But I do not think that Leo was a fool to help her when he knew that his father did not support their relationship.
But you should have supported us. But i will send the best physician to look for the duke,
But if you waited for this period to end to make excuses about our marriage, then i am afraid i would not be able to wait for more."
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