Breaking it Off
1101 Words
AURELIA was on her way to meet her master, the orchestrator of the plot against the Crown Prince.
"Have you been working well?" the man asked, his voice low and commanding.
Aurelia nodded. "I've executed the first move. I'll proceed with the next," she replied, her tone steady and confident.
The man smirked, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. "Excellent. Do well, and you'll be richly rewarded soon."
"Yes, Your Grace," she said before leaving discreetly, her heart pounding with the weight of her mission.
I must complete this plan successfully for a better life for my child and me, she resolved.
"MILADY?" Tia called softly.
Freya was dozing off, having lost sleep the previous night, preoccupied with thoughts about the events of the previous day.
He's such a great kisser... No! Erase that! He's a great player, not a kisser! Damn, he's taken over my thoughts.
"Milady?" Tia called again, her voice more insistent this time, finally catching Freya's attention.
"Yes?" Freya responded, snapping out of her reverie.
Tia handed her a letter. "A letter from the Imperial Family."
Freya opened the letter, discovering it was from none other than Crown Prince Zavier.
I wonder what could be in it.
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Dear Freya,
I miss you already. Can you visit me at the Palace? I want to see you, to be with you. Please accept my invitation, my love.
Love,
Zavier
________________
"What does it say, milady?" Tia asked, curiosity piqued.
"Get me a pen and paper," Freya ordered, her mind already formulating a response.
Tia complied, and Freya, hoping Aurelia would be there to sway Zavier, she then wrote a rejection letter and instructed Tia to send it to the Imperial Palace.
As she wrote, her thoughts wandered. Why do I keep pushing him away? Is it because I don't trust his feelings, or my own?
With nothing else to do, Freya decided to stroll through the garden. Tia insisted on accompanying her, but Freya refused, craving some solitude on her own.
The wind rustled the leaves, and Freya closed her eyes, feeling the gentle breeze against her skin.
Suddenly, she heard a scuffle behind her. Turning, she saw Felix approaching. She could've wished to bump into someone else rather than seeing her brother's unpleasant face.
"What do you want?" she asked, irritation evident in her voice.
"You're in the way," Felix responded.
Freya rolled her eyes and started to walk slowly. "You can walk on the side, you know?" Felix said, pushing her slightly, causing her to trip and nearly fall.
"The hell?!" Freya exclaimed, glaring at Felix. She saw a flicker of worry in his eyes before he quickly looked away and brushes it off.
"You're not hurt, are you?" he asked, his tone cold and detached.
Freya rolled her eyes. "No, but I almost hit my head on the beam and could have died."
Exaggerate it a bit to ease her slight annoyed feeling every time she crosses paths with this man.
"Well, you didn't," Felix retorted, resulting in Freya's nerves pumping to show.
"But I almost did, i***t," Freya snapped, surprising Felix.
He was taken aback by the sudden use of words by his younger sister to never in her life swore before. "Words, Freya," he warned, his expression hardening.
She rolled her eyes and walked away, leaving Felix standing there.
Freya's insult might have hurt Felix's pride; he never expected her to call him an i***t. He thought she might have picked it up from her tutor. Maybe I should suggest Father find a better tutor, he mused.
The day dragged on, with Freya running around the Ducal estate, Tia chasing after her, and Felix engrossed in reading and paperwork.
FREYA had grown bored of the repetitive routine. She thought Aurelia was moving too slowly. Deciding to do something to make the process quicker and easier for both of them.
She made her way to the Duke's office, determined to persuade him to cancel her engagement.
Theo opened the door, and she smiled innocently at her father. "Hello, Theo."
"Why, hello milady."
"Good day, Father. I'd like to discuss something important." Not wanting to waste time, Freya decided to get on with the business straight.
The Duke looked up, his expression unreadable. "Go on."
She took a deep breath before dropping it on her Father. "I want to break off my engagement to the Crown Prince," Freya said, her voice steady and secure.
The Duke remained serious and calm. She could not help but ponder as to why could the Duke not be surprised by such declaration of hers. "Tell me why," he prompted.
"I feel the love is gone, Father. Zavier has been so busy with his duties that I think he has forgotten about me," she said, trying to look as sad as possible.
Wanting to end this smoothly, she needed to play the part well. Still, the feeling that she might've looked stupid in front of the Duke makes her nervous at some point.
"Have you talked to him?" he asked, no longer giving Freya attention.
Freya blinked a few times. "I haven't..."
The Duke sighed. "Talk to him first. Our family's reputation is at stake, Freya. I expect you to make wise decisions," the Duke said, returning to his paperwork.
Freya sighed as she left the office, frustration bubbling inside her.
"Did the Crown Prince upset our lady?" Theo asked as she exited.
"Not yet, that is," Freya replied curtly.
"Then why cancel the engagement? May I know why?" Theo inquired.
Freya thought quickly. "I just don't love him anymore."
Theo stroked his chin thoughtfully. "The Crown Prince seems to love you dearly. It looks difficult to cut ties with him."
Freya felt a pang of disappointment. "You're right, but it won't last. I have things to do and commitments I've made."
"Is the lady in love with another?" Theo asked out of full curiousity.
Freya gave him a confused look. Why do they always think I'll leave him for someone else?
"That's funny, Theo!" she said sarcastically. "See you later, Theo. I have other business to attend to," she added with forced enthusiasm.
"I wish the lady good luck!"
Time for a meeting with that Bonavich. "Milady, how did it go?" Tia asked as she entered the chamber.
"Not well. Get me a pen and paper, quickly," Freya said, sitting at her desk, ready to write.
She began drafting a letter to the Grand Duke as soon as she had the pen and paper.
Let's not mess this up. I need to fulfill my duties right and justly!
- Writer
