Alora couldn't stop thinking about what Duncan had said. Every time she remembered him calling her beautiful, her heart skipped a beat.
When they returned home, Irene served dinner while William joined them at the table.
"Alora," Irene began, breaking the silence, "I think it's time you found another job. I'm no longer comfortable with you working at the bakery."
Alora frowned.
"But why, Mother? Mr. Benjamin can't treat me however he likes anymore."
"That's not what worries me." Irene sighed. "I saw the way Lord Duncan looked at you. He's interested in you."
Alora nearly choked on her food.
"Mother!" she exclaimed, her cheeks turning red. "You're overthinking it."
"No, I'm not," Irene replied firmly. "A lord cannot marry a commoner, especially someone with our past. I don't want you getting hurt."
William shook his head.
"Mother, perhaps Lord Duncan was only being kind. Not every act of kindness means love."
"Oh, both of you are too naive," Irene replied. "At the celebration, I heard people talking. They say Lord Duncan is involved with Miss Maya. I don't want anyone dragging our family into noble affairs. If people start digging into our past..."
She stopped herself.
Alora gently placed a hand on her mother's shoulder.
"Mother, please stop worrying. Lord Duncan hasn't done anything inappropriate. If he meant us harm, he wouldn't have restored my job or spoken to us openly. Lucas protected me, too. I truly believe they only wanted to help."
Irene looked at both of her children and sighed.
"I hope you're right."
Valcrest mansion
Ruby returned to the mansion deep in thought. During the journey home, she watched Duncan carefully. One moment, he smiled to himself. The next, he seemed lost in thought. It troubled her.
After changing into more comfortable clothes, she sent for Lucas.
Lucas entered and bowed.
"You wished to see me, my lady?"
"Yes." Ruby set down her teacup.
"Tell me everything that happened at today's celebration." Lucas hesitated.
"My lady..."
"And don't lie to me." Ruby looked directly into his eyes. "I overheard enough to know it involved a girl."
Realizing there was no point hiding the truth, Lucas explained everything-from the bakery incident to Maya slapping Alora and Duncan asking him to protect her.
When he finished, Ruby leaned back.
"So that's what happened..." After a moment, she smiled faintly.
"You did the right thing. Sometimes Maya lets her temper control her."
Lucas lowered his head respectfully.
"Thank you, my lady."
Ruby became thoughtful once more.
"Tell me honestly... Does Duncan care for someone?"
Lucas smiled awkwardly.
"I honestly don't know."
Ruby sighed. "Then perhaps you should advise your friend."
Lucas looked surprised.
"My lady?"
"Duncan isn't getting any younger. It's time he began thinking seriously about marriage."
ASHBOURNE MANSION
Mr. Damon Ashbourne sat quietly in his study, reviewing several documents spread across his desk. A gentle knock interrupted his concentration.
"Come in."
The door opened, and Maya stepped inside.
"You sent for me, Father?"
"Yes." Damon looked up briefly before clapping his hands.
The servants and maids immediately bowed and left the room, closing the doors behind them.
Silence filled the study.
Damon folded his hands together.
"Maya... when do you intend to get married?"
Maya blinked.
"Very soon, Father. I simply haven't found the right suitor."
Damon gave a humourless laugh.
"Haven't found one?"
He slowly stood from his chair.
"Or are you still waiting for Duncan?"
Maya lowered her eyes.
"Father... Lord Duncan will marry me. He's only taking his time."
"Duncan... Duncan... Duncan!" Damon snapped, striking his hand against the desk. "Is that all I ever hear?"
Maya flinched.
"Look at yourself."
He pointed directly at her.
"Do you know what people are saying?"
"They're beginning to laugh at you."
"They say you've rejected countless noblemen because you're waiting for a man who hasn't even proposed."
Maya clenched her fists.
"He will marry me."
"When?" Damon demanded.
"When you're twenty-two?"
"When society starts calling you too old for marriage?"
His voice softened slightly.
"I hope the two of you haven't crossed any boundaries."
Maya's eyes widened.
"No, Father."
Damon studied her face before sighing."Good." He sat back down.
"Listen carefully. You have until the end of this year. If Duncan proposes, then I have no objections."
"But if he doesn't... I will personally choose a husband for you. And if you refuse..." His expression became cold.
"You will leave this house."
The room fell silent.
"You may go."
Without another word, Maya hurried out of the study.
The moment she reached her room, tears filled her eyes. She closed the door behind her and leaned against it. Only until the end of the year...
How could she possibly make Duncan propose in such a short time? She loved him. She couldn't imagine marrying anyone else. Suitors had come before.
Powerful nobles.
Wealthy merchants.
Even the son of a duke.
She had rejected every single one of them. Because in her heart...
There had only ever been Duncan.
She buried her face in her hands.
"I won't lose him..."
"I can't."
A gentle knock came at the door.
"Maya?"
It was her mother.
"Come in."
Lady Evelyn Ashbourne entered carrying a small tray of tea and pastries. She placed it gently on the table before sitting beside her daughter.
"I heard everything."
Maya wiped her tears.
"Mother..."
"I don't know what to do."
Evelyn took her daughter's hand. "My child... I think you should consider another suitor."
Maya immediately shook her head.
"No, I want Duncan."
Evelyn smiled sadly.
"But does Duncan want you?"
The question hung heavily in the air.
Maya looked away.
"He does... He's only taking his time."
Evelyn sighed.
"If a man truly wishes to marry a woman...,He doesn't keep her waiting forever."
She gently brushed a strand of hair away from Maya's face.
"I should have spoken to you years ago. I was too busy encouraging your dreams instead of preparing you for reality."
Maya's voice trembled.
"So you're telling me to give up?"
"I'm telling you not to build your happiness around someone who hasn't promised you his."
Silence filled the room.
Finally, Maya spoke again.
"So... Father never loved you either?"
Evelyn smiled bitterly.
"No. Our marriage was arranged. I thought love would come with time. It never did."
She squeezed Maya's hand.
"Please... I don't want you to spend your life hoping someone will love you back."
Maya slowly withdrew her hand.
"You don't understand. I love him, and I won't stop."
Evelyn stood.
"I hope... one day... you understand why I'm saying this."
She quietly left the room.
Left alone once again, Maya stared at the ceiling. Memories of her parents' endless arguments filled her mind, her eldest sister had already married and moved away.
Her older brother was preparing to inherit the Ashbourne estate.
Her younger brother was still too young to understand any of it.
But Maya...
Maya had spent her entire childhood believing that marrying Duncan would give her the happy family her parents never had.
She closed her eyes.
"I'll make him choose me..."
"No matter what
Later That Evening
Lady Evelyn made her way back to her husband's study. She paused outside the door for a moment before knocking gently.
"Come in," Damon's voice answered.
She stepped inside.
"I heard what you told Maya," Evelyn said softly. "Perhaps... you were a little too harsh."
Damon didn't lift his eyes from the documents before him.
"I've been patient for years, Evelyn."
He signed another document before continuing. "Far more patient than I should have been."
Evelyn walked closer and sat opposite him.
"She truly believes Duncan will marry her."
Damon sighed.
"So do I. But believing something doesn't make it true."
Silence settled between them.
After a moment, Evelyn spoke again.
"What if we spoke to Lady Ruby? Perhaps she could arrange the marriage."
Damon finally looked up.
"And force Duncan into marrying our daughter?"
He shook his head.
"No. I respect Duncan too much for that. And deep down... I don't think he loves Maya."
Evelyn lowered her gaze.
"I've thought the same. Maya is passionate and quick-tempered. Duncan is calm and patient. They've known each other since childhood, but friendship and love are not the same."
Damon nodded slowly.
"We spoiled her. We allowed her to believe that Duncan was already hers. Now, she's afraid to imagine a future without him."
The room fell silent once more.
Evelyn looked at her husband.
"May I ask you something?"
Damon raised an eyebrow.
"What is it?"
She hesitated.
"Do you... love me?"
The question caught him completely off guard. He slowly placed his quill on the desk, For several moments, neither of them spoke.
Finally, Damon broke the silence.
"You should leave."
Evelyn gave a faint, painful smile.
"That's answer enough."
She stood to leave, but Damon's voice stopped her.
"Evelyn."
She turned.
"You said Maya fears marrying someone who doesn't love her because she doesn't want a marriage like ours." A shadow crossed his face.
"Perhaps... she's right."
Evelyn remained silent.
Damon slowly stood and walked toward the window.
"I wanted to marry your sister. My heart belonged to her. When she refused me... everyone insisted I marry you instead."
"I thought..."
He paused.
"I thought that because I'd known you since childhood... love would come naturally."
He closed his eyes briefly.
"It never did."
Tears welled in Evelyn's eyes.
"Then... why did you marry me?"
"Because I thought it was the right thing to do."
He turned to face her.
"And because I convinced myself that affection could grow into love."
He smiled sadly.
"I was wrong."
A tear rolled down Evelyn's cheek.
Damon instinctively reached into his pocket, took out a handkerchief, and gently wiped away her tears.
"I'm sorry."
Evelyn looked into his eyes.
"You've never said those words before."
"I should have."
Another silence passed between them. Finally, Damon spoke again.
"I don't love you the way a husband should. But I respect you, I admire your strength, You've stood beside me through every hardship You've raised our children well. And for that... I'll always be grateful."
A faint smile appeared on Evelyn's face. "Perhaps... gratitude is the closest we'll ever come to love."
Damon didn't answer.
Instead, he stepped forward and gently embraced her, it wasn't a passionate embrace nor was it the embrace of two lovers it was the embrace of two people who had shared a lifetime together, carrying a burden, and neither had chosen.
After a long moment, they slowly pulled apart.
"I'll speak with Maya," Damon said quietly.
"I don't want her to repeat our mistakes."
Evelyn nodded.
"So do I."
She smiled sadly before leaving the study. Left alone, Damon stared out the window into the night sky.
"For her sake... I hope Duncan makes his choice soon."