Love's Tragedies

Chapter2

Benedict Hayt, the Duke of the South's son, the childhood friend of the twin sisters. He is arranged with the older twin, Josefina Zinnia Belle.

Avellana's face lit up with the recognition of a childhood friend. She was about to step up and hug Benedict with excitement but stopped as a thought came up, 'Oops... I must behave, this is not a casual meet-up between friends and right now, he is my sister's fiancé.'

The other guy also stepped up and introduced himself, "My ladies," he gracefully bowed, "I am William Merediz." He pulled out a small marigold flower from behind and gave it to the girl he had arranged to...to Avellana.

Surprised, Avellana accepts the flower. She blushed and hid her face behind her sister.

Surprised by the gesture, Avellana couldn't help but blush as she accepted the flower. She smiled shyly and glanced at Zinnia, who was watching with amusement. Feeling a bit overwhelmed by the attention, Avellana playfully hid her face behind her sister's shoulder.

Zinnia chuckled softly and gently nudged Avellana forward. "Go on, Avellana," she teased teasingly. "Don't be shy. William has clearly gone to great lengths to make a charming first impression."

Avellana peeked out from behind Zinnia, her cheeks still tinged with a rosy hue. She looked at William with gratitude and a hint of curiosity. "Thank you, William," she said softly, her voice filled with genuine appreciation. "It's a lovely gesture."

As they settled around the tables, the fragrant scent of marigolds mingled with the aroma of tea, creating a serene and welcoming atmosphere. The men exchanged introductions and friendly banter, their conversation flowing easily.

...

On the other hand, the Duke of the North, the father of the twins, watches his daughter get along with the two young men at his office. He was supposed to participate, but due to unforeseen work, he had to witness his daughters from afar.

From his vantage point, he observed Avellana accepting the marigold flower from William with a shy smile, while Zinnia stood nearby, her laughter and encouragement evident even from a distance. The duke couldn't help but feel a swell of worries about making his daughters engage early.

He has to...or else the emperor will intervene and make him and his daughters engage with the prince. Their futures will not do well in the royal family. It was a fate the duke hoped to avoid, wanting his daughters to find love and happiness.

As Benedict engaged Zinnia in conversation and William continued to charm Avellana with his wit, the duke's heart swelled with paternal warmth. He knew his daughters well—Zinnia, with her quiet elegance and thoughtful demeanor, and Avellana, with her infectious laughter and quick wit. They complemented each other beautifully, a testament to the bond they shared as twins.

Despite the distance, the duke felt a sense of contentment knowing that his daughters were in good company. The garden of marigolds, bathed in the soft glow of twilight, seemed to embrace them with its tranquil beauty, fostering an atmosphere of camaraderie and possibility.

"Your Grace, the mercenaries that you have sent out again to check the backgrounds of the gentlemen have returned. There's no change in what they found." Sir Sinclair said as he had just arrived, standing at the front of the duke's desk.

He had ordered the mercenaries to thoroughly inspect the backgrounds of the two gentlemen many times now, a precaution he took seriously. It was reassuring to hear that their findings remained consistent.

"Thank you, Sir Sinclair," the Duke replied, his voice calm yet decisive. "Please convey my gratitude to the mercenaries for their diligence. It appears we have nothing to worry about."

Sir Sinclair nodded respectfully before taking his leave. As the door closed behind him, the duke turned his gaze out the window, his mind already considering the implications of the report. While the arrangements were proceeding as planned, he couldn't shake off a lingering sense of caution, knowing that the future of his daughters might be influenced by more than just background checks.

Though he longed to join them, duty bound him to his responsibilities. Nevertheless, he silently blessed the evening, hoping it would bring his daughters joy and perhaps even forge new paths for them amidst the blooming marigolds and the company of newfound fiancés.

...

The couples decide to stroll around the garden, Benedict with Zinnia and William with Avellana.

Avellana has been wondering for a while and likes to question William about it, Avellana and Zinnia are identical twins, and she knows that her father has already told the men who are arranged with whom, but a person just cannot pinpoint who the twin is. Did he give the marigold without knowing who is Avellana and Zinnia?

Avellana had been wondering for a while, her curiosity piqued by the thoughtful gesture of the marigold flower from William. As they continued their conversation amidst the blooming marigolds, she found a moment to gently broach the subject.

"William," Avellana began, her voice tinged with curiosity, "I've been meaning to ask... Did my father inform you which of us is Avellana and which is Zinnia?"

William smiled warmly, his eyes meeting Avellana's with understanding. "Yes, he did," he replied honestly. "But I must admit, even knowing that it's not always easy to tell you apart. Your father spoke highly of both of you, and I wanted to make sure the gesture of the marigold was meant for the right person."

Avellana nodded thoughtfully, a small smile playing on her lips. "I see," she murmured, feeling a mix of relief and amusement. "Thank you for clarifying. It's just... we've always been mistaken for each other, even by those who know us well."

William chuckled softly. "It's a testament to your bond as twins," he said warmly. "But rest assured, I made sure to give the marigold to the correct sister."

Avellana's cheeks warmed slightly at his reassurance. "I appreciate that, William," she said sincerely. "It was a lovely gesture, and it means a lot to me."

As they continued their conversation, Avellana felt a sense of comfort knowing that William had taken the time to understand and respect their individual identities.

She thought that she would have trouble knowing William and might run back to her father to beg to escape the arranged situation but with William's sincerity and warmth, this persuaded her to give the set-up a chance. Perhaps, she thought with a hint of amusement, this unexpected arrangement might lead to something more than she had anticipated. Love, after all, had a way of blossoming in the most unexpected places.