Once childhood friends, now reluctant strangers—Lady Clara Valdemont and General Darrell Storm are bound by an arranged marriage meant to unite two feuding houses. Once allies, the Storms and Valdemonts were torn apart by betrayal and bloodshed. Now, the kingdom’s fragile peace rests on the shoulders of a bride and groom who barely speak. As Clara walks down the aisle, memories of the boy who used to tease her and teach her how to fish clash with the man waiting at the altar—stoic, cold, and unreadable. Darrell has not forgotten the past, nor has he forgiven it. Their vows are spoken through clenched teeth, their first kiss a mere brush on the cheek. This is not a love story born of fate—it is one that must fight to be written. In a kingdom of politics, pride, and pain, can two broken hearts learn to beat as one again?
View MoreThe chapel bells rang like war drums.
I stood beneath the arch of the ancient cathedral, her silk veil trembling in the wind. The scent of old stone and incense cling in the air. I gripped my bouquet and fixed my eyes on the long aisle that led to my husband. General Darrell Storm. He stood tall in his ceremonial armor, dark green cloak trimmed in the colours of house Storm. His jaw was set in stone, gaze unreadable. The boy I'd once known, the one who teased me and taught me how to fish — was gone. In his place was a man shaped by war and power. My heart thudded like hooves on dry land. This was not a matrimony of love but an arranged one. It was a treaty signed for peace between two names bound by bitter history. The Storms and Valdemonts. Their father's had once fought side by side, then turned on each other after a failed murder attempt. The kingdom never healed from the divide. Now, with unrest rising again, the high council had found an answer in old bloodlines and public displays of unity. A marriage to bring the two old generals together and help quickly calm the unrest. Bring a hope to the people. I began walking. The crowd watched in stiff silence. Nobles, commanders, their faces unreadable. Somewhere near the front my mother sat rigid, lips pressed in a thin line. Darrell's father was absent, reportedly too ill to attend. Or he was too bitter to watch an enemy's daughter marry in the family. As i neared the altar, my steps slowed. I remembered the last time I saw Darrell— standing in the garden as my family fled out of their estate at dawn. He had thrown rocks at my brother, but guards held him. His angry shouting as he accused my brother of trying to kill his sister, haunted me still. Now neither of them spoke. The priest muttered ancient words, invoking gods Clara never believed in. Gold threads in my dress shimmered faintly as the runes on the wedding band were unveiled —symbols as old as the enmity that run between the two families. "Do you take this man," the priest said. "To be your wedded husband, in unity and honor, until fate claims the both of you." My throat tightened. I looked up at Darrell. At his indifference, the shadow in his eyes. Something flickered there. Anger or was it disgust. He remembered everything and he hadn't forgiven. "I do," I said. Darrell's voice was low, steady. "I do." The rings were exchanged. Hands bound in silver thread. The kiss was brief, cold. On my cheek. The bells rang again. _______________________________________ The ballroom of Storm estate gleamed with polished marble, crystal chandelier. I stood beside Darell a flute of untouched champagne in her hand. My veil had now been removed, my gown dragging behind me. Guests mingled with careful grace —diplomats in navy suit, military officials with tight smiles and aging aristrocrats. Everyone was happy or pretending to be. "Do you want a refill?" I whispered to Darell. He didn't respond. Just placed the empty glass on the table, face unreadable. Clara stole a glance at him. He looked every bit the war hero the country adored— stoic, composed, untouchable. But i remembered the boy who'd pull my pigtails and grin crookedly whenever he caught a fish. The boy was long gone. The string quartet played a hollow waltz. Servants in black jackets moved with grace between tight circles of conversation. In one corner, someone laughed too loudly. In another two aides argued quietly in a diplomatic tone. "I see only your mother attended," Darrell said . I nodded. "She had to see her only daughter off and she doesn't believe in making scenes," "What happened to your sister?" "She had a complication during childbirth and sadly left for the other realm," I answered, finally taking a sip of the champagne. "She was the better person out of all of you." I turned to him slowly, her eyes cool, "Yes, I agree she was." A flicker passed through his expression and then he quickly masked it with a grunt. Before either could say more, a booming voice interrupted them. "General Storm! Lady Clara!" We turned to see viscount Reeve approaching, arm wide, smile wider. His wife trailed behind him, wrapped in jewel and a rigid kind of grace. "Congratulations," he said clasping Darrell's hand with both of his. "A union like this gives our kingdom hope." I smiled, "We're honored." "We're relieved," Reeve corrected. "We doubted this would happen. But now we can all rest easy after the reunion of war giants." Darrell's jaw clenched, "The unrest will be over before you know it." Reeve chuckled, "Ah, always the soldier. May your house be strong and your heirs plenty." He moved on before either of us could respond, his wife nodding with elegance only a swan could maintain. Darell exhaled slowly, "Do they think will be breeding heirs and heiresses before dessert?" I looked at him and smiled. A little of the boy she knew was still in him. Maybe getting married to him wasn't a bad idea. "Do you think this will work?" Darrell asked, still stoic. I shrugged. "It won't." He said picking a glass of whiskey from a passing servant. "Don't expect me to perform any duties as your husband in private." A pause. Music floated back in. Then the master of ceremonies called for the first dance. All eyes turned to us. Darrell didn't offer his arm. He turned and walked away. The silence was defeaning. Shame spread through me like spilled ink. I stood beneath the chandelier, nauseous, heart pounding,skin hot. The music continued. But I remained still— frozen in the center.My steps fell softly over the gravel path, my cloak brushing against the flowering hedges. It was peaceful here, deceptively so. I breathed in deeply letting the warmth of the sun settle over my skin. Just as I rounded the lilac arch, a blur of movement startled me.A wild hare darted across the path, no more than a whisper of fur and muscle. I gasped, frozen for a moment, stunned by it's speed. I didn't know they were so near the residence.The groundsmen should be worried of burrows being dug in his garden.As I was staring at where it dissapeared to, and arrow whistled past my ear, grazing the air with deadly precision before burying itself in the bark of the willow tree just ahead.I screamed, the sound torn from my throat as I stumbled backward and fell hard onto the path, gravel biting into my hands. My heart thundered in my ears and the world started spinning for a second."Lady Clara!"Boots pounded the ground. The duke appeared in my vision as I blinked up. Bow in hand, his
The embroidery needle paused between my fingers, hovering over the delicate floral needlework that no longer held my focus. I'd tried all morning to quiet my mind with the meticulous stitch work that my mother once claimed could cure even the most restless soul.But not today. Not when my soul felt like a wound still bleeding and aching.A knock sounded on the door."Come in," I said without looking up.My maid, Lara, stepped in quietly, her hands folded before her apron. "My lady."I nodded, resuming my needlework with feigned calm."I've brought you a fresh pot of tea," she said, setting the tray down on the side table. "And....some honeyed biscuits."I nodded, again.She didn't budge."Thank you, Lara," I said my voice shadowed with tiredness. "Is there anything else?"She hesitated. "Lord Darell and the his grace went out hunting in the southern woods."I didn't reply, but my hands stilled.She then continued, carefully. "I told Lady Coral as you instructed. That you were unwell
I placed the teacup down with careful deliberation, the porcelain making a soft click on the tray. I rose from the chair, smoothing the folds of my skirts as I stood.Darrell looked up, his eyes briefly catching mine."I'll return to my tasks then," I said, my voice steady despite the strange ache forming in my chest.But as I turned to leave, his voice came again. "We're not done with the ledgers.""We?" I turned to look at him. Who was 'we'? He'd been working on the ledgers alone. He nodded, then put his head back down on the ledgers. "My lord," I called. "I've been seated there, just sipping tea, while you work alone on the ledgers you called me here for.""And?" What was wrong with this man? His nonchalance, him acting like whatever he was doing wasn't strange. Him making me the strange one."Thank you," I said, sighing. "I enjoyed the breakfast. And watching you work the ledgers was quite inspiring and I've learnt a lot.""Have you?" He asked, still not looking up."Yes, My l
The next day arrived with a pale hush, the kind that signaled the seasons were changing. The chill no longer bit as sharply, and the frost that once clung stubbornly to the windows had begun to melt into soft beads of dew.I sat at the vanity, fingers deftly adjusting the ribbon at my collar, my gaze distant.Yesterday, after Darrell left my chambers, I'd finally opened my letter.It was from my mother—gentle, warm and full of the things I hadn't realized I missed so much. She wrote of quite hopes for my well being, her prayers reaching across the miles. She mentioned that my father had with my brothers to help quell a riot near the southern border. And that once it was resolved, my brother Edmund and his wife, who was now expecting, would be moving into a new home of their own.A simple letter.But it had left me aching.The world was changing. My world. I was playing wife. I was no longer the go—merry young lady of the mountains. And the letter reminded me that.I reached for my glo
My heart lifted before I could stop it.The Valdemont crest.After weeks of silence..... finally.I didn't want for permission or pleasantries. My skirts swept behind me as I turned and hurried up the stone path, taking the side stairs two at a time. Darrell had said the letter was sent to my chambers.I reached the door, flinging it open.Empty.The room greeted me with its usual stillness. No scrolls on the desk, no sealed parchment on the table, nothing slipped under the door or resting on the velvet bench near the window.I blinked, stepping in slowly, confused. Perhaps the maid hadn't brought it yet. Darrell said he sent it, not that he had delivered it himself.I turned sharply at the sound of soft footsteps behind me.My maid, Lara, entered with a small curtsy and smile. "My lady, shall I bring your evening shawl—""Lara," I cut in, "has anyone given you a letter for me? From Lord Darrell or anyone else?"Her brows furrowed. "A letter? No, my lady. I've just come from the linen
Julian was fast asleep when we stepped inside Coral's chambers. His tiny chest rising and falling with the gentlest of rhythms. He looked peaceful, utterly untouched by the chaos he'd narrowly escaped.Coral's face softened the instant she saw him.The maid stood from her chair near the cot and offered a smile. "He just fed, my lady. I tucked him in moments ago."Coral nodded and moved slowly towards her bed. "Thank you. You may leave us."The maid gave a curtsy and slipped out quietly.I crossed to the other side of the room, watching as Coral eased herself onto the edge of the bed. Her fingers rubbed absently at her temples.I spoke first, "He might not know."She looked up at me, her voice not convinced. "He might."Her hands dropped to her lap as she stared at Julian, wrapped safely in linens of soft blue and ivory."Perhaps he found him," she murmured. "Or maybe it was Lady Annalise....am scared, Cici."I sat beside her. "Then I'll find out. See if he's guessing or he knows."She
Welcome to GoodNovel world of fiction. If you like this novel, or you are an idealist hoping to explore a perfect world, and also want to become an original novel author online to increase income, you can join our family to read or create various types of books, such as romance novel, epic reading, werewolf novel, fantasy novel, history novel and so on. If you are a reader, high quality novels can be selected here. If you are an author, you can obtain more inspiration from others to create more brilliant works, what's more, your works on our platform will catch more attention and win more admiration from readers.
Comments