Chapter 1: Prince Édouard, Duke of Wexnon
Charlotte was happy as she finally got married to Prince Mathieu Bourdillon, Duke of Beromont, whom she had loved since her teenage days.
Her dream of having a happy family was shattered when Mathieu died after a month of their marriage because of a sudden illness.
With his death, she also broke apart. She wanted to end her life after she was taunted by not only the Royals, the Nobles but also the people of Beromont. She wanted to escape this life, but was it even possible for her!?
Her family would be beheaded if she escaped from the Palace of Beromont. Being from a noble house, she was taught from a young age how important her family was. She peeked out of the window and realized that the carriage had slowed down before coming to a halt.
She had finally reached her parental home.
Charlotte's father, Marcus Bourbon, had sent a letter to her to have an urgent meeting with her. The footman opened the carriage's door and she stepped out of it. Tears formed in her eyes as she recalled the day when she left it happily.
She had worn a heavy black gown made of silk, which had covered her well, while her face was covered with a black veil with a hat over her head.
She lowered her head and, with gradual steps, she moved forward. As she walked along the cobblestone pavement, she felt the gazes of the few servants upon her, and it made her feel awkward. She gripped her right hand's fingers with her left one and walked straight towards the mansion.
"Welcome, My Lady," said the butler of the house, Roger Waller, and bowed.
Charlotte gave a slight bow before walking in with Roger. Everything in the mansion was the same as before, except for the furniture in the living room. The baroque-style three-seater sofa was placed at the center with one seat on each side. It was painted in gold, and was richly upholstered.
"Please take a seat, My Lady. Sir will be here in a few minutes," Roger said in his humble tone and walked away.
Charlotte looked around and recalled the days when she used to play around. Tears appeared in her eyes, and she lowered her head. She gently removed her hat from her head and put it on the table before her.
Charlotte's mother had passed away when she was seven years old. She had two older brothers, who were also married. Her brothers never once visited after her husband passed away. However, she received a letter from them stating that they were too busy within their respective work.
"Charlotte, My Child!"
She came out of her thoughts when she heard the voice of her father. Promptly, she sat up and broke into tears. Marcus hugged his daughter warmly and caressed her back.
"Father," Charlotte sobbed as she closed her eyes.
"It's alright, My Child. Everything is good," Marcus said as he continued to caress her back. After a while, they pulled away while Charlotte wiped the tears from her eyes and cheeks using the silk handkerchief.
"Sit, Charlotte," Marcus told her as he settled on the single seat sofa set with his hands resting on the armrests. He rested one leg above the other and noticed Roger approaching with a maid.
The tea was served to them, and they walked away.
Marcus asked Charlotte to drink the tea. She shook her head as the tears fell from her eyes onto her black gloves. "Father, I miss Mathieu so much," she said as her voice choked.
"Who knew that your husband would get such a deadly illness which had no cure? I empathize with you, My Child," Marcus said and looked up at the ceiling for a brief moment, not wanting his tears to fall down. His daughter would fall weak if she saw him crying.
"Forgive me, Father," Charlotte said and looked into his eyes. "Because of me, Father has to listen to so many people around him. I blame myself that Mathieu died this way," Charlotte said while she continued to weep. She should not be crying in front of her father in this way. But she could not help.
Marcus leaned forward and told her not to blame herself for the short life of Mathieu.
"But Father, everyone in the town is saying how Charlotte's ill fate became the reason for her husband's death." They both heard a familiar voice and found it was none other than Fleuretta, the eldest daughter-in-law of Bourbon's family.
"Fleuretta, leave!" Marcus said in a harsh tone. She scrunched her nose and walked away without once asking Charlotte if she was good. She didn't even sympathize with her situation let alone empathize with her.
"Don't mind her words. You know that they have always been like this," Marcus told his daughter.
"Yes, Father," Charlotte said.
Marcus picked up the scroll from the sofa side table and forwarded it to Charlotte. She confusedly glanced at him before taking the scroll from her father.
"His Majesty has sent this," Marcus said.
Charlotte was perplexed to hear about it. The King sent a message to her father instead of her! But, why? Numerous questions flooded her mind, and she asked, "What is it about?"
"Read it yourself," Marcus said.
Charlotte was scared thinking what it could be about. She gradually opened it and started to read it.
"Marry his eldest son?" As soon as she read the words, the scroll fell from her hands and her eyes flickered. She picked it up and put it on the table beside her hat.
"His Majesty wants you to marry Prince Édouard, Duke of Wexnon," Marcus said with a serious tone.
"I will not marry him," Charlotte refused with a stern tone.
"Why, My Child? This is your best chance to change your life," Marcus told her.
"Father, I love Mathieu. How am I supposed to marry his elder brother, who didn't even come when he died? I will not marry the Duke of Wexnon." Charlotte was firm in her decision as tears again filled her eyes. She would love to die willingly, but she would never marry Édouard.
"Then, are you going to make us humiliated for the rest of our lives?" A loud, familiar voice fell into Charlotte's ears. It was her eldest brother, Hayden Bourbon. He finished his work as soon as possible to see Charlotte. He knew about the message that they had received from the King. He was well aware of his sister's answer that she would refuse, which he could not let happen.
"Hayden, I am talking to her. You don't need to intervene," Marcus told his eldest son. However, he didn't listen to Marcus.
"Because of Charlotte, Winfred and I have to hear the taunts from the nobility. "They think Charlotte is a jinx," Hayden exclaimed, returning his gaze to Charlotte.
"Marry Prince Édouard," Hayden stated.
"What if he also dies because of me? You have already labelized me as a jinx" Charlotte forgot her manners for a brief moment. She didn't expect Hayden to force her into the marriage.
"Then, you should die too!" Hayden said.
Marcus stood up and slapped his son. "How could you say this to your own sister?" Marcus shouted at him. "She has lost her husband and you have to speak this way to her!" Marcus reprimanded him.
Charlotte could not believe her eldest brother would say such a thing to her. She wore the hat and stood up. "I am leaving," she said with a dejected tone and dashed out of the house.
~~~~~
Hello Dear Readers,
This is my first time trying a period romance in the western setting. In the story, the female lead married for the second time and how many difficulties she faced I have shown that. How male lead supported her throughout the story, you'll see that.
It's a weak to strong plot. The female lead will take time to come out of her trauma.
I hope you will give it a read at least hundred chapters or so to understand the story better.
This story will be a sweet romance like the other stories I've written.
Follow me on instagram: rayoflight_pcy
THANK YOU
HAPPY READING
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