"What?" Daphne's eyes widened, surprise flickering across her face.
Vyan reached over, gently rolling up her sleeve to reveal the deep purple bruise marring her forearm. "This didn't co from an accident, Daphne."
She pulled her arm back, smoothing her sleeve down, her gaze darting away. "I... I hurt myself in the bathroom," she murmured, but her voice wavered, giving her away.
Vyan shook his head, his tone both soft and firm. "Daphne, please. I know abuse when I see it. This isn't just so accident. It looks like soone crushed your hand in a door."
Her shoulders slumped, and for a mont, silence hung between them. Then she whispered, a brittle smile tugging at her lips, "Not every man grows up with a mother who teaches him to be a gentleman, like yours did."
Vyan felt a painful twist in his chest. "You don't have to stay with him, Daphne. You are the rightful heir to the Ryen na, not him. The power is yours."
A sad, knowing smile crossed her face. "If only it were that simple. "He married with the understanding that he would rule as the Marquess. It was his condition for everything, and I... I didn't have the strength to refuse back then."
Vyan's hands clenched into fists, the frustration in his eyes barely masked. "There must be sothing we can do. You shouldn't have to live like this."
She gave him a small, tight smile, eyes drifting away. "I have learned to manage. Most of the ti, he is decent enough. It's just that he has a little bit of temper."
"A little bit? His fits of rage are infamous throughout the empire," Vyan grumbled under his breath.
"And he is a little more possessive than most. That's it. He doesn't let go out much, especially not if there is any chance of seeing other n. So, as long as I avoid going out much, things are okay between us most of the tis."
"So how did you manage to co here today?" he asked, skepticism and guilt mingling in his expression. "I thought he despised ."
"Oh, he does," she replied with a dry chuckle. "You are the younger brother of the man I was once supposed to marry. But good thing is Robin is away for the day. He was invited to so equestrian event out of town and won't be back until midnight."
Vyan reached out, gently covering her hand with his. "I am sorry, Daphne. I… hate seeing you like this. After all, I always thought of you as an older sister more than a sister-in-law. Are you sure there is nothing I can do for you?"
She squeezed his hand, her smile turning genuine, if only for a mont. "Thank you, Vee. Your concern ans more than you know. And really, I am okay."
"You might be okay, but you are not happy," Vyan murmured, watching her closely.
Daphne shrugged, offering a faint smile. "Being okay is more than I ever thought I'd be, you know?" Her voice softened, and for a mont, she looked away. "After I lost Ash, then my family… I didn't think I would ever feel anything close to okay again. Happiness, though? That's asking too much. So people just aren't ant for it."
"Daphne," he said, his voice tinged with frustration and sadness, "you deserve so much more than just 'okay.' You have such a kind and beautiful soul. Do you know how jealous I used to be of Ash because you loved him the most, not ?"
She chuckled, nudging his arm lightly. "Oh, I rember. You used to say that all the ti." She let out a sigh, her smile tinged with nostalgia. "But hey, it's alright, Vee. Really. I have co to terms with how things turned out."
He hesitated, searching her face before he spoke. "But what if I told you… Ash was alive?"
Daphne's eyebrows shot up, and she laughed softly, but there was a hint of sadness there. "Well, I would say that is so terribly bad timing," she replied, her hand drifting down to rest on her belly. "Because… I am carrying Robin's child."
Vyan's smile faded as the weight of her words hit him. He had planned to test the waters, to see if she could handle the truth about Ash. But now, knowing this, it was clear—he would have to let it go. It was too late.
"Oh… well, congratulations," he managed, his voice thick with emotion, unable to process how he should feel about it.
Daphne's smile was warm and gentle as she looked down at her hand on her stomach. "Thank you, Vee. This child… it's everything to now. Especially after the two I lost." Her voice broke, just slightly, and she turned her face away, taking a deep breath.
"Lost…?"
"Miscarriages."
"Oh." His heart twisted. "Daphne… I am so sorry. I had no idea."
"It's okay," she replied, her smile wavering before she steadied herself. "I just pray this little one is born healthy."
He nodded, his fingers squeezing hers briefly. "I will be praying for that too."
She took a breath, visibly shaking off the sadness before looking back at him with a cheerful smile on her face. "Enough about . What about you? Found your to-be wife yet? Or are you still hung up on ?"
Vyan chuckled, nudging her back. "Oh, you wish. I got over you for my brother's sake sixteen years ago. And believe it or not, as a reward for my noble sacrifice, I found soone even more amazing."
She smiled, playfully rolling her eyes. "Here I thought you once said you would never et anyone more amazing than ."
"I don't recall anything like that," he replied, grinning. "But, as it turns out, I did find soone like that. No offense to you, though."
"None taken. So, spill the tea—who is the lucky girl?"
Vyan's eyes lit up. "Well, her na is Iyana…"
And just like that, the hours lted away as Vyan and Daphne wandered back through the tangled vines of their childhood mories. They laughed, shared stories, and mostly, Vyan soaked up tales of his brother, Aster, as Daphne recounted monts filled with both joy and regret.
The more she spoke, the more he could see the shadows in her eyes, remnants of choices made and roads not taken. Her regret felt like a quiet ache woven into every word she spoke of Aster.
Undoubtedly, she shouldn't have waited for a ghost to return for sixteen long years, but did she really have to tie herself to soone who turned her life into a nightmare? Couldn't she have found a better life partner so that Vyan secretly didn't have to be wishing for this marriage to fall apart?
Guilt gnawed at Vyan for keeping Aster's secret from her, but he couldn't bring himself to shatter her fragile peace. Not now. Maybe after her baby was born. After all, she had endured so much heartache—two lost children before this one. He feared that the truth, as heavy as it was, might tip her over the edge and steal away yet another chance at happiness.
After all, Daphne's gaze lingered on the future, on the hope that this child might finally bring a little light into her life.
They talked on, with the sun shifting from high noon to the quiet blush of dusk.
Finally, as shadows deepened, Daphne rose to leave. She excused herself to freshen up in the restroom, leaving Vyan waiting in the grand hall, ready to escort her to the carriage and back to the world they had montarily left behind.
That's when Vyan spotted Iyana stepping in through the grand double doors of the manor. She looked utterly wiped from a long day, but the mont her eyes t his, her face brightened like sunshine breaking through clouds.
"Vee!" she called, and before he could brace himself, she launched into his arms, nearly knocking him over with her hug.
He chuckled, ruffling her hair as she nestled against him. "Rough day?"
She nodded, burrowing deeper into his chest, as if she could hide away from the world there.
"Why didn't you send a ssage through the artifact box?" he asked, holding her close. "I would have co to pick you up."
She shook her head, smiling up at him with that gentle, tired gaze. "I didn't want to bother you. You ntioned earlier you were going to be catching up with your brother's ex-fiancée today."
He softened, looking down at her with a warm, grateful smile. "Thank you for understanding."
"Always will." Iyana gave him a sleepy smile, rising on her toes to give him a quick, sweet kiss. "So, did you end up telling her about Aster?"
"Not yet. I just—"
"What about Ash?"
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