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The War Bride Who Waited No More

The War Bride Who Waited No More

Short Story · Romance
By:  RullieneCompleted
Language: English
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Synopsis

Marriage

Mistress

Bias

Cheating

Bittersweet

Melodramatic

Before heading off to war, Sebastian Crawford made a solemn blood vow on his honor—just to keep me from worrying while he was gone. He promised to come back and marry me with a grand ceremony, the whole nine yards. Eight years later, Sebastian returned as a general, draped in glory. But by his side was a woman—dressed like a man, her very pregnant belly sticking out like a sore thumb. I took a deep breath, calmly slipped off my engagement ring, and called the whole thing off. Sebastian scowled, clearly annoyed. "Lena bled with me on the battlefield. I've always seen her as a brother in arms. She's pregnant because she helped me take care of a physical need. It was simple and practical. No strings attached." I let out a bitter laugh. Then I sent a messenger pigeon. "Fine. Then I'll find someone to help me out too."

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9 Chapters
Chapter 1
Before I could say another word, Sebastian's temple vein bulged. He grabbed his bow and shot the messenger pigeon right out of the sky."Don't say things you don't mean. Lena and I will stay in your guesthouse tonight. Better than going back to the barracks and having the whole garrison gossip."I didn't hesitate. "If you insist on keeping her here, then consider this engagement dead. I'll go to the King myself and have the decree revoked."Lena stepped forward and punched Sebastian lightly on the shoulder. "Let's just go back to camp. No need to trouble Miss Lindon—she's a sheltered noblewoman, after all. Besides, the men already know how close we are. We've stripped down and shared a hot spring together. No one bats an eye."She looked up at me, a dare in her eyes. "Hope you don't mind, Miss Lindon. On the march, we don't stand on ceremony."I let out a dry laugh, too tired to play along. "You have ten seconds to get off my property. After that, I'm calling the sheriff for tresp
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Chapter 2
Charles shot a mocking glance over his shoulder at his men, his voice dripping with arrogance."Ten years ago, I told you not to marry this guy. First, he's not as fit as me. Second, his family's not as wealthy as mine. Third, he doesn't treat you half as well as I do. Marrying me? That's just common sense."I didn't have the energy to trade barbs with him. I spoke softly instead."Did you ask the King for his decree? And if I say no mistresses—ever—would you agree?"He snorted, nodded once, then waved lazily and headed back to the palace.A small laugh escaped me. But before the smile even left my lips, I turned and saw the chaos inside.Lena had somehow gotten her hands on all the jewelry Charles had brought—the hairpins, the necklaces, the rings. She was wearing them like they were hers. And Sebastian was right beside her, smashing everything she didn't want against the floor.I crossed the room in a flash and slapped him across the face."Put it down!"Lena flinched at my
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Chapter 3
Sebastian let go of me immediately and rushed inside without a second glance.There was Lena, sword pressed against my maid's throat."No one in the army dares defy me. And you, a servant girl, think you can bar my way?"The maid stood her ground, voice trembling. "My lady has never allowed strangers inside her bedchamber."Lena pressed closer. Blood beaded along the blade where it touched the maid's neck. Her voice came out choked."The west guest room was prepared especially for you to rest during your pregnancy…"I moved before I could think. I reached for Sebastian's sword and pulled it from his scabbard in one smooth motion.The blade stopped at his throat. My eyes were bloodshot."Let her go, or I'll kill Sebastian."Lena's smile was cruel. "Do you really think you can kill him before her head hits the floor?"She didn't wait for an answer. She swept the blade across.Blood splashed across the floor.The maid collapsed in front of me, eyes wide and unseeing.I droppe
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Chapter 4
I froze. The dagger slipped from my hand and clattered to the ground.Sebastian's voice lifted with smugness. "Beg for mercy now, and I might still put in a good word for you with the King. Wait until that decree is read, and no one will be able to save you."I let out a soft laugh and shot him a sideways glance. "You should be more worried about yourself. Charles won't let this slide."I turned to leave. He laughed behind me."You really think a man like that will marry a woman with no sense of propriety? I'm the only one who doesn't look down on you."I stopped, turned back, and gave him an icy stare. Then I grabbed his arm, twisted it behind his back, and pinned him in place."You really think all those years on the battlefield make you superior to me, General?"I held him there until the footsteps drew close. Then I let go.Charles walked up with a warm smile. He patted my hand gently and knelt beside me.The royal herald unrolled the parchment and read aloud, "By the grac
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Chapter 5
Sebastian's voice suddenly rose, panic flickering in his eyes."Your Highness, this was all my doing. Lena had nothing to do with it. She spent eight years on the battlefield to earn her rank as Deputy Commander. Please—spare her. Let her keep her post."Charles looked at him, amused. "Are you negotiating with me, General?"Sebastian shook his head quickly, muttering that he wouldn't dare."Choose a soldier from your ranks to replace yourself. Once you've found someone worthy, then I'll consider letting her stay."Charles left those words hanging and moved to put his arm around me.But before he could, several guardsmen returned from the family crypt—carrying two sets of remains. They walked right into the courtyard without a care.They saw Sebastian kneeling and frowned. "General, why are you on your knees? We did what you ordered. Dug up the remains. Taking them to be cremated now."They hadn't seen Charles. He was blocked by the other soldiers.I walked past them, staring a
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Chapter 6
Charles frowned deeply as the guardsman caught his breath and continued."But she didn't succeed. We stopped her."I exhaled in relief. I couldn't let her die that easily. Not yet.…Sebastian sat at Lena's bedside, his face etched with worry. The moment I stepped inside, the complaints spilled out of him."Catherine, did you really have to push Lena this far? She's spent too long on the battlefield—she doesn't understand proper manners. And we're just brothers in arms. There's no need to keep doubting us."I let out a dry laugh.I touched the new silver bracelet on my wrist and spoke coldly."Just because I'm not married, Sebastian, doesn't mean I've lost my senses all these years."As I finished speaking, Charles walked into the room—leading a small child by the hand.The boy was about five years old."You stopped writing to me in your second year at the border," I said. "Do you know this child?"A flicker of panic crossed Sebastian's eyes. He said nothing. He just shook
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Chapter 7
Charles always wore that carefree, idle look—like nothing in the world troubled him. It made me forget that he too lived within the walls of the royal court.And that came with its own fears.I lifted my head and looked straight into Charles's eyes. Softly, I said, "I won't. Because I don't want some ghost hovering behind me, watching nothing but my tears."He laughed at that. Then he pulled me into his arms, his voice muffled against my hair."Then let's marry soon. Right now, I have no claim to you. And I'm terrified of ending up like Sebastian."I wriggled out of his embrace, laughing. I told him no—that would never happen.A moment later, Sebastian emerged from the side chamber. He dropped to his knees on the floor and spoke in a hollow voice."Let her go. She doesn't know anything anymore. She won't take back her rank. Just—let her return to her own country. Please."All the arrogance from the past days had drained out of him. He looked twenty years older.I stared at his
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Chapter 8
Sebastian tucked the map back into his coat. He wouldn't even let me touch it."Your father never imagined you would change your mind. He never thought we'd be apart for eight years. This belongs to me."It was as if he hadn't heard a word I said. He pressed the map against his chest.Before I could speak again, Charles took my hand—looking almost wounded—and led me to the carriage."It's just a cask of wine. I'll find it with you. I don't need his map to do it."I couldn't help but laugh. Was the Crown Prince actually jealous?"Don't laugh. You already loved me eight years less than you should have. And now you're mocking me."The more he spoke, the more pitiful he sounded. I half expected tears to start falling.Charles Crane—who could out-argue any scholar in the royal court—was, in private, my insecure fiancé.I hummed a tune as I sat at the front of the carriage, plucking a wildflower from the roadside. My voice was soft."Your Highness, tomorrow is a lucky day. Perfect
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Chapter 9
The King had summoned Charles.Charles kissed my forehead and patted my back gently to reassure me."I'll be back tonight. Don't worry."When Charles arrived at the palace, he found that the King had also summoned Sebastian.The King hurled a stack of reports at both of them, his face red with rage.The two men knelt almost simultaneously, their voices fawning."What can we do to ease your burden, Your Majesty?"The King's brow was deeply furrowed. He looked up at Sebastian, his voice cold."I never imagined that the great General Sebastian—covered in glory—would have such a secret history. Conspiring with enemy rebels. Embezzling military supplies. Slaughtering the innocent. How much more have you hidden from me?"The King's fury shook the hall. Sebastian pressed his forehead to the floor, again and again."Your Majesty, please calm yourself! I am guilty, but I never conspired with the enemy."Deputy Commander Lena may not be one of our soldiers, but she fought for this kin
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