I’d ever seen. Taking a step forward, she took a step back and I felt a laugh rumble in my chest.
“Now who's the one pulling away from who.”
She sobbed again and my heart tightened in my chest. I was causing her this pain. This was my fault. All of it was my fault.
I pushed her away over the words of my court, my lords, who were asking if now that I was married and announced my love
for my wife, was I now too soft to keep our lands protected?
I was allowing the voices of men who surely did not matter to come between me and my wife. If my mother could see me
now, she'd grow with rage at the thought of me treating another person this way. Especially someone I cared for and had made
vows to. Someone she knew I’d cared about since when I was just a child. She would be ashamed of me. She had taught me
better.
“Please, leave me in peace, Nicholas. It’s what you wanted right from the start. You never wanted this marriage or me. I am
just a pitiful, foolish princess and now I have brought war to your door. I should have just accepted my fate.”
It pained me as her words came out heartbroken and filled with sorrow. She’d rather be married to the one who hurt her
more than anyone in this world, than be married to me.
Oh, the fool I had been. I could see it now as she broke in front of me. How poorly of a husband I’d become, an idiot and a
fool.
“Ornella. I—I have no excuses. I cannot be the man you hoped for me to be. I cannot be both a king and Nicholas.”
She placed a fist on her chest, as if it were holding her together and I tried to step forward again, but she moved back. She
didn’t want me near her. I couldn’t say I blamed her.
“You—but you promised. How you break your word so easily” She mumbled through trembling lips as tears continued to
flow down her cheeks.
She didn’t seem to care about wiping them away. How could someone cry so beautifully even when they were breaking?
Everything about her was beautiful. Perfection.
“I lied.”
I didn’t. I meant every word. But my kingdom needed me more than the woman who stood in front of me. There was a war
coming and I needed to protect my people. If it meant sacrificing my heart—my soul—then that’s what would happen.
A good man got a happy ending.
I was not a good man.
I’d ruined lives since the moment I was able to. I didn’t deserve her love, kindness, or forgiveness. I didn’t deserve her.
“It was always part of the plan. My game. I have never wanted you. Why would I truly desire a foolish, stupid girl?”
Her breath rattled in her chest as she tried to cover a sob. I kept my face stone cold. I needed her to hate me. I needed her to