My Fiance In Disguise

Chapter 3

The aroma of freshly baked bread and roasted fruit wafted through the air, a comforting scent that should have settled Camellia’s nerves.

Instead, it brought a wave of unease. The maid, a kind woman with eyes the color of warm honey, stood at the door, her smile a beacon of normalcy in Camellia’s chaotic mind.

“Lady Jasmine, your parents ask for you to join them at breakfast,” she said, her voice as soft as the morning light filtering through the windows.

“Coming… Just a second,” Camellia managed, her voice a mere whisper. Her fingers unconsciously reached for the silver necklace dangling around her neck, a constant reminder of the life she’d left behind. The moon shines, a symbol of hope Ela had given her before vanishing into the swirling portal.

Camellia took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus. She pulled on the white dress, its soft silk Ariana Her mother’s gift, a symbol of her new life, a life that felt both strangely familiar and utterly alien.

The dining room, with its polished wooden tables and sunlight streaming through stained-glass windows, was a world away from the austere grandeur of the Celestial Palace.

Camellia surveyed the space, her eyes landing on family portraits adorning the walls. The Duke and Duchess, their faces etched with warmth and love, a stark contrast to the icy demeanor of the Empress.

And there, in a portrait of her new family, was a young girl with a mischievous glint in her green eyes and a cascade of brown hair. Ela

. Camellia's heart ached. She was just five years old in the picture, a vibrant young girl who had been away from her family and sacrificed everything for Camellia.

“Ela, I'm so sorry,” she whispered, her voice hoarse with unshed tears.

She shook her head, determined to push back the wave of emotions threatening to engulf her. “Just pretending,” she murmured, her fingers tightening on the necklace. “Just pretending to be your friend Ela, for your sake.”

Camellia took a deep breath and headed towards the dining hall, her steps a little unsteady. Her heart pounded against her ribs, a drumbeat of anxiety and guilt.

As she entered the room, the air hummed with warmth and laughter. Kael, his eyes sparkling with mischief, stood up, a smile lighting up his face.

"Here, sister… Sit beside me," he said, pulling out a chair with a flourish. His eyes held an unexpected tenderness, a warmth that startled her.

“Pardon me… I must have overslept,” Camellia said, trying to sound nonchalant.

Her mother, a woman with a gentle touch and eyes that held a quiet strength, patted her hand.

"It's okay, Jasmine darling, we understand you're exhausted. Actually, we have something to tell you.” Her voice was soft, a comforting melody that Celest found herself craving.

"We’ve planned to enroll you in your brother’s academy,” she continued, her smile a radiant beacon of hope. “The Celestial Academy the enrollment is next month.”

Camellia blinked, surprised. The Empress had never allowed her to attend any school, always preferring to home-school her.

“That would be great,” Camellia managed, a genuine smile spreading across her face. “I promise to do my best, to not fail you.”

“Oh, don’t worry too much, just have fun, no need to pressure yourself,” her father said, his voice laced with affection.

A sudden wave of memories flooded Camellia's mind. The Empress's icy voice, the sting of her words, the endless repetitions of the same lessons until perfection was achieved.

“You’re such a disgrace to this family, just like your mother,” the Empress’s voice echoed in her mind, her words sharp as shards of ice.

“Your Highness, Grandmother, it was just one wrong answer out of a hundred,” Camellia had pleaded, her voice trembling. She was just eight years old, a fragile child caught in the Empress's icy grip.

“It was your mother’s carelessness that brought about your father's downfall,” the Empress had declared, her eyes filled with disdain. “And you, like her, are nothing but trouble.”

Camellia closed her eyes, trying to shut out the memory, but the pain lingered. She felt a hand on her shoulder, and she looked up to see Kael's concerned face.

“Are you okay, sis? Did we say something wrong?” he asked, his voice laced with concern. His touch was gentle, a balm to her aching heart.

Camellia realized tears had begun to well up, blurring her vision. She quickly wiped them away, forcing a smile. “I’m okay,” she managed, her voice shaky. “Just… I never felt this much… love from a family before. My adopted parents… they always reminded me to be perfect at everything.”

A wave of sadness washed over the room. Her parents, their faces etched with empathy, exchanged a knowing look.

Kael, his arm circling her shoulders, pulled her close. “Don’t worry, sis. From now on, I will protect and love you.”

Camellia leaned into his embrace, feeling a sense of comfort wash over her. “I'm sorry, I’m being so dramatic.” She chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. “Let’s eat, it's bad to make the food wait, right?”

They all smiled, their warmth gradually pushing away the shadows of the past.

“By the way,” her father said, his voice warm. “We will host a welcome banquet for you the day before your first day of school.”

“Yes, Father,” Camellia nodded, her heart a little lighter.

Kael, however, seemed restless. “I still have something important to do. but I want to cancel it and spend time with my sister.”

Camellia reached for his hand, her own heart aching at his generosity. “Brother, it’s okay. I’m just going to explore the residence. You guys do your important business, and I’ll make myself busy. Don’t worry too much.”

Kael smiled, a relieved expression washing over his face. “Okay, okay, if you say so, sissy.”

As her family resumed their breakfast, Camellia felt a surge of gratitude mixed with apprehension. This new life, this new family, was a fragile thing, a delicate balance of love and uncertainty.

She knew there were still secrets to uncover, both within herself and within the walls of this new world. But for now, she would savor this moment of peace, of belonging.

She looked around the room, the sunlight dappling the walls, the warm scent of freshly brewed coffee filling the air.

She would make the most of this second chance, this opportunity to be simply “Jasmine,” a girl with a past, but a future full of hope.

A future where she could finally be herself, free from the shadows from being controlled, and maybe, just maybe, find a love that was both real and true.

The journey ahead was uncertain, but for the first time in a long time, Camellia felt a spark of hope ignite within her heart.

The question linger in her mind

Is she still pretending, this is too good to be real for her...