When I Love You, The Fog Rises Ahead

Alexander returned to the estate three days later.

I went to see him, but he refused me at the door.

"Brother, why?" My voice trembled as I asked, but there was no answer from inside.

By the time the moon had risen high, I finally whispered, "I don't want this."

The words had barely left my lips when the door opened.

Alexander stepped out, his cold gaze meeting mine. "Why not?"

"Is it that you already have someone in your heart?"

My pulse skipped, my fingers tightening around the embroidered handkerchief. I stared back at him, unable to believe what I was hearing.

In the pale moonlight, I caught a fleeting glimpse of cold indifference in his eyes.

Suddenly, everything became clear.

"It's someone from our household, isn't it?" Alexander continued, his gaze fixed on me, refusing to let any of my expressions escape his notice.

He pressed on, "Someone who has been by your side, who treats you like family, am I right?"

He knew. He had always known.

My breath caught in my throat, the blood draining from my face.

Alexander moved closer, step by step until he was standing right in front of me.

Just like before, he bent down, gently wiping away the tears from my cheeks. His voice softened, "She doesn't want to go. You go in her place.

"Consider it repaying the kindness I've shown you. Would that be fair?"

I looked up, meeting Alexander's gaze. The once-clear, bright eyes I knew so well had darkened with shadows, unreadable and distant.

I knew then—I couldn't refuse him.

But the words wouldn't come. They stuck in my throat, tightening painfully, leaving me speechless.

"Alexander, how much longer will you stand out here with her?"

A woman's voice floated out from inside the room. It was a voice I knew all too well.

Princess Arabella.

The rightful bride.

There was nothing left for me to misunderstand.

Tears blurred my vision.

I took a step back, curtsied, and severed the last tie between us.

"I'll do whatever you ask, Brother."