Chapter 76: Moniqua and Roelle
For three whole hours the Del Montague household was in a state of panic. When Duke Roelle suddenly collapsed, they feared the worst. Had he been struck by the curse as well? This was the only thought in mind as Lady Helena desperately tried to revive him.
Thankfully, the Duke woke up and the physician assured everyone that the old man was simply worn out from his sorrow. A hearty meal comprised of nutritious broth and a tall glass of medicinal water gave him his strength back.
Still, it failed to ease the worries of Emperor Robert who feared that his dear friend would drive himself to death out of misery. Helena and Tyren insisted that he take a proper rest while they watched over Alex. Despite having been unconscious for three hours, the Duke still felt weary. After receiving assurances that he would be woken up if anything happened to his son, he climbed into the same bed and fell asleep holding Alex's brittle hand.
The Duke dreamt of nothing. Even in his sleep he was surrounded by nothing but an abyss.
The Emperor offered the family more condolences before departing. He instructed Duchess Tyren to inform the palace immediately if the situation worsened.
Seated back in his carriage, he instructed the coachman to take him to Lafayette Cemetery. It was located towards the eastern region of the Grand Duke's vast lands. It was the place where all members of the Del Montague family were buried. Emperor Robert visited Moniqua's grave more often than the Duke himself. He often felt a sense of relief after unburdening his heart to her. Even though he was talking to the air, he felt the same warmth he always did back when she was still alive.
Now more than ever, I regret not fighting harder to keep her by my side. Had she married me, none of this would have come to pass. I would have protected her at all costs and no daughter of ours would have been allowed to deteriorate the way Felicia did.
What exactly took place inside that household after Moniqua died?
And why did he marry Tyren? She is nothing like Moniqua and he was never interested in her.
The Emperor watched the trees pass by him, his mind contemplating his wife's half sister.
Lady Tyren had been dealt an unfair hand in life. Despite being born into nobility, she was the result of an affair. A bastard child that nobody really cared for. Even her siblings treated her as a non entity. According to his wife, Tyren was always desperate for attention and validation.
He remembered how the unremarkable lady would often try to win the Grand Duke's attention. This was years ago. Even before Roelle met Moniqua. Tyren was determined to marry into a prominent household and take her stand as an important lady of high society. She ran around trying to find the perfect husband, but it never worked. She even got herself pregnant out of wedlock. Though she was an insignificant thing, her family was still furious over her carelessness. They called her a whore and threw her out. Thankfully, her older sister took pity on her and gave her a place to live. His wife was the only one who had a relationship with the bastard child.
A few years after the birth of her daughter, Tyren was even more determined to marry and that's when she encountered the Grand Duke's heir. Young Master Roelle Del Montague was intelligent, charming, handsome and unwed. He was the husband of her dreams and she craved the title of Duchess more than anything. Sadly, her flirtations had no effect on him. Roelle had a particular woman in mind when he thought of a wife and Tyren wasn't it. In fact most women weren't it. He was being pursued by many and yet he had no interest for a single one.
That is until he met Lady Moniqua Viviane El Salvar. His life changed completely.
Lady Moniqua was the only daughter of the El Salvar family. They were a powerful military family who produced the finest knights and weaponry. Her father commanded the imperial army. He was a member of the royal cabinet. Her brother commanded the factories. Her other brother led the navy. They were highly respected by the entire empire and considered the backbone of the Cromwell's dominance. Hence, when the time came for Crown Prince Robert to get a bride, a maiden from the El Salvar family was selected.
Moniqua's father, Sir Jagr was a brilliant tactician who had overcome the border crisis and led his army in both covert and not so covert missions to secure the empire's safety from the barbarians of the eastern kingdom. Sir Jagr was admired and feared by many. He was a strict man who rarely smiled, even with his own wife and sons. That all changed the day his daughter was born. Moniqua was the most enchanting little creature he had ever come across. From the moment she opened her eyes, he was filled with a love unlike anything he had ever felt before. She brought light into his dark world and changed him completely. He laughed, he smiled and he openly doted on her.
His sons and wife who had never seen this side of him were shocked. Moniqua's brothers were massively jealousy and did not like her taking up so much of their father's time.
Moniqua's mother adored her daughter for thawing her husband's frozen heart.
All in all, the family were happy and functional.
As Moniqua grew up, she transformed into a stunning beauty. She was the jewel of the El Salvar family, gaining admiration from everyone she encountered.
Sadly, at the age of sixteen the family patriarch fell ill and became bedridden for the remainder of his life. Years of battle had taken a toll on the aged Sir Jagr and he eventually died from a stomach infection which his immune system was no longer strong enough to fight against. Her mother followed a few years later and with her brothers handling so many duties both inside and outside the household, the young Moniqua was essentially left by herself with nobody but her trusted maid and best friend Hildegarde for company.
As a result of the lack of attention, Moniqua lived a very liberal life where each day was an adventure. She would leave the house and explore the cities, the farmlands, the great lakes and national monuments. She wished for nothing more than to explore the entire continent.
At one point she even asked her brothers to allow her to train in fighting so she could join the army. They laughed at her and told her the battle field was no place for a lady. With the absence of her parents, Moniqua faced increased disrespect by her arrogant brothers who finally decided to vent out their years long resentment towards their pampered sister.
Bitter and upset Moniqua took off one night. She brought no guards with her and Hildegarde assisted her in sneaking away. She left the estate on horseback with her face concealed in a black cloak. Hildegarde was worried about her lady. She was very much heartbroken over the way her brothers now treated her.
Naturally, she supported her lady's new plan.
Moniqua had decided to ride until her heart no longer felt so heavy. Her life had grown too turbulent. She felt like she was standing on quicksand. She had lost both her parents, her brothers had turned cruel, she had the engagement with Prince Robert hanging over her head, she was conflicted over her feelings for the Del Montague heir and her bond with Pope Matthew was falling apart.
She was no longer in control over her life. Her late parents and her brothers had made it clear what they expected of her. She was to wed the Crown Prince and elevate her family to a higher state of honor. She did not wish for it.
As such, she had decided to take control back.
She was on a secluded trail when it started raining. Though visibility was poor she still made it to her destination in record time. Dismounting, she handed her horse to the young son of the innkeeper. She frequented this tavern and had a close friendship with the married couple who ran it.
Stepping into the warm room, she was greeted by one of the waitresses.
"Has he already arrived?"
"Yes, my lady. The Young Lord is inside the room we prepared for the two of you."
"Thank you."
The woman bowed.
Moniqua turned and walked upstairs. Taking a left, she was about to knock on the door she stood in front of when it abruptly opened. A strong arm pulled her inside and closed the door.
Roelle wasted no time undressing her. Filled with desire and determined to seal their fate as man and wife, the young lovers clung to each other all night along.
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