Elric Aldenar was her husband once.
And soon, whether fate liked it or not, he would be again.
That thought had been on Verona's mind since dawn.
Back then, she never wanted the marriage. How could she? It was supposed to be Liera's. But after Liera's sudden death, their father had decided a replacement bride was better than losing an alliance.
Verona, still grieving and hollow, hadn't fought the decision. She remembered staring at the mirror before her wedding, face pale as sheets of paper, thinking, maybe this is better, to be somewhere they can't hurt me anymore.
And she was right. Oddly, Aldenar's Estate turned out to be the only place she ever knew peace. No one dared to whisper behind her back. No servant mocked her, no one dared to call her useless. All because Elric made sure they treated her right as the lady of the house.
He was feared for so many good reasons. Yet with her… he had never raised his voice nor a hand at her. Whenever he looked at her, there was something in his eyes, something she had mistaken for pity, when perhaps it had been love.
She remembered how he always made sure her meals arrived warm. How he stood up for her, calling her his wife with a calm authority that made men twice his age bow their heads. How he never corrected her or mocked her trembling when she spoke.
And what had she done? She'd built walls higher than the ones surrounding his castle.
She had believed she was stealing her sister's place. How could she possibly accept his affection when every gift, every smile, every soft look, felt like something meant for Liera?
When Elric died, Verona found his diary, hidden inside a drawer, wrapped in dark blue silk. Every page filled with words she hadn't been brave enough to believe.
How he admired her calm grace.
How he'd fallen for her before the proposal was even made.
How he couldn't understand why she flinched whenever he tried to touch her hand.
And how helpless he felt watching her drift away from him, as if she'd already decided she didn't deserve to be loved.
If she never loves me, I'll still thank the gods for the quiet mornings beside her. That is enough.
She'd read that line until the ink blurred with her tears.
"You always said I was the one you wanted to marry," she murmured now. "And I didn't believe you. Not until the end."
The end.
The word still stung like the brand of a hot iron.
The day before her execution, her father visited her cell and revealed one last secret. It was her, not Liera, who Elric had wanted to marry.
That was the moment she finally cracked. Not because she was going to die, but because she realized she'd spent her entire life denying the one person who truly saw her.
"What did you say?"
Liera's soft voice pulled her back. Her sister sat on the edge of the bed, the hem of her lilac dress pooling around her ankles.
"No," Verona said, smiling faintly. "Nothing."
Liera sighed, fiddling with the hem of her dress. "Father said Duke Elric will arrive today or tommorow. I can't believe he still expects me to marry that man."
Right. If time followed the same path, he would arrive today to claim his bride. But this time, her father would never let her go. Liera was alive, and he would see no reason to waste another chance at an alliance.
Still, Verona knew Elric Aldenar better than anyone. He would not accept another woman. Not when he had once vowed himself to her.
"I don't want to marry a man like him. People say he's ruthless. Cold. The kind who kills first and asks later."
Verona's lips curved, though her eyes didn't match the smile. "He's not what people say."
Liera blinked. "You sound like you know him."
A silence stretched between them. Verona looked out the tiny window, the light hitting her face in a way that made her look older, distant. "Just stories," she said finally.
Her sister studied her for a moment, perhaps sensing something, then Verona changed the subject. "Is your ideal type still the same?"
Liera's ears perked up like a puppy at that. "Of course. Someone funny. Smart. A man who loves me and only has eyes for me. Maybe he can cook too."
Verona chuckled quietly. "You want a perfect man, then."
"Not perfect," Liera corrected, smiling. "Just someone who sees me not because of this healing power. You know?"
Verona did know. Far too well. Everyone praised her here and there for healing them, but if she didn't have that power, would people still treat her the same way?
Their laughter filled the room for a brief momen, almost as if it could be called peace. But peace in this house never lasted that long for her.
BANG!
The door burst open with their father storming in, followed by guards behind him. His expression was as stern as ever.
"I thought I told you this many times before, Liera," he said coldy, eyes darting toward his adoptive daughter, "to not waste your time with the useless one."
Oh, if it were her old self, she would've kept her head down hearing that.
"Father…" Liera began, but he silenced her by raising his hand.
"Take her," he ordered
"What?!" Liera got up. "Why? What are you doing?"
Verona didn't resist when rough hands grabbed her arms. She only looked at her sister, still beautiful but trembling, and forced a faint, reassuring smile. "It's all right, Liera. Don't worry."
It wasn't all right. But she couldn't let Liera worry more than this.
Their father said nothing more, only turned and walked ahead. The guards dragged Verona after him through the long corridor. Behind her, she could still hear Liera shouting, pleading for them to stop, but another guard blocked her path.
For a while, no one made a sound. Only the sound of boots and her own heartbeat.
What was this? Punishment? A warning? He must have discovered that she had been the one who talked Liera out of the trip to Phios. That would explain his fury. But to drag her out like this…
They passed through the grand hallway, then out of the manor's side doors and...
Verona's eyes narrowed.
He was taking her toward the forest.
They walked deeper into the trees until the scent of damp moss replaced the perfume of the manor gardens. Birds scattered above them as they reached a lonely stone tower.
Why?
The guards shoved her inside. The door slammed against the wall as she stumbled, catching herself before she fell.
Her father's voice came sharp and final. "Don't even think of leaving this place."
Verona straightened, brushing dirt from her dress. "So that's it?" she said, her voice oddly calm. "You plan to lock me up until the duke leaves?"
His shoulders stiffened. He didn't answer.
"Afraid he'll see me?" she asked lightly, almost teasing. "Afraid he might remember who he actually asked for?"
He turned then, eyes flashing. "Stop your nonsense."
"Oh, it's not nonsense," she said, smiling thinly. "You can hide me, Father. But how long do you think this little trick will last?"
For the first time, she saw him flinch. Just slightly. Enough to confirm what she already suspected. He was hiding her because he knew Elric wouldn't choose Liera this time either.
He composed himself quickly, mask snapping back in place. "You've always been trouble, Verona. Best you stay where you can't ruin your sister's future."
He stepped out, slammed the door, and the heavy lock clicked into place.
Silence.
Only her breath filled the tower, shallow and slow. Verona walked to the wall and pressed her palm against the cold stone.
Her lips curved upward.
"Let's see how long you can keep me here."