Episode 20

As they dined, Leonard scarcely touched his meal, somewhat irked because Olivia did nothing but gaze at Alexis with great admiration. Alexis was a strikingly handsome and charming man, a fact that made all women swoon at his feet.

Olivia laughed and spoke with him with such zeal, and this bothered Leonard, who found her usually quite shy and reserved with him. After they finished dining and rose from the table, Leonard wrapped his arm around Olivia's waist, and she flinched a bit at his touch. Leonard embraced his wife firmly, showing Alexis that she was his.

Alexis, noticing Leonard's jealousy over Olivia chatting so animatedly with him, was amused, having never imagined that the formidable Duke of Forest could act in such a manner. Knowing that provoking Leonard further could end poorly, Alexis bid them farewell and went home.

Upon arriving at his mansion, his sister Liria awaited him at the entrance. She bore the same red hair as he did, and her face was sprinkled with freckles that made her look mischievous. Liria was considered one of the empire's most beautiful women, having received numerous marriage proposals, all of which she rejected because she was deeply in love with Leonard. The news of his marriage had been a profound shock to her, and she had spent several weeks refusing to leave her room.

She had tried to meet Leonard's wife on numerous occasions, but each time she was told the duchess was ill. Learning that the duchess would be at the ball, Liria asked a designer to create a beautiful gown, purchased stunning jewelry, and arranged herself as much as possible. When she arrived at the ball, the ducal couple had been there for some time, with all eyes upon them.

Leonard's wife was youthful and petite, looking exquisitely fragile next to the towering duke.

As Liria approached the ducal couple, Olivia had already separated from Leonard and was at the snack table eating. Liria seized the opportunity to speak with Leonard, who typically dismissed all women that approached him, but as she was the sister of his best friend, he treated her slightly better. For this reason, she had always believed she might become his wife. While speaking, Leonard's gaze never left his wife, who, after several glasses of wine, was reaching for her fifth when he took it away.

At the party, all attention was on the prince dancing on the floor; no one paid heed to the ducal couple except for Liria. Olivia attempted to retrieve her glass from Leonard, who drank it himself and set it down. Seeing this, the duchess stood on tiptoes, grabbed him by the jacket collar, brought him close, and kissed him. Liria's heart broke watching the duke passionately return his wife's kiss. Then he swept her up in his arms and left the ballroom. Liria could not believe that this man, usually so cold and distant, could be so tender and kind with his wife.

That night she left after the ducal couple, unable to control the tears streaming down her cheeks. She cried all night, wishing the scene she'd witnessed was just a nightmare. She refused to believe it was real, yet deep down, she knew it was—that the man she'd loved for so long was married and, evidently, in love with his wife.

Nonetheless, when she learned that her brother had gone to visit Leonard, she waited for him at the house entrance. As her brother entered, she rushed to greet him and asked:

"Brother, how was your visit to the duke's?"

"How did you know I went to see him?"

"The butler told me. What do you think of his wife?"

"Well... She seemed very endearing."

"You think the duke is in love with her?"

"I suppose so. He got quite jealous when I was talking to her; she seemed very interested in my stories."

"What...!"

"Yes, I was quite surprised too. He held on to her all the time as if trying to show she belonged to him."

Liria felt her heart wrench knowing the duke was even jealous for his wife, and she couldn't help but let out a few tears. Seeing her cry, her brother hugged her and said:

"Don't cry. I know you were in love with him, but he’s married now. We cannot do anything. I am sure you will find someone else to love."

Liria wept for a while in her brother's embrace as he patted her back soothingly. Afterward, she retired to her room and continued to cry. Her brother assured her she would find someone else to love, but she doubted it. She had fallen in love unexpectedly, with someone she never sought or hoped for. From that moment on, she understood that love isn't chosen; it chooses us.

Since meeting the duke, all other men seemed dull and unattractive to her, but she was helpless, for the man she loved had another in his heart.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***