Alina

Castle of Grytia

Alina lay lazily on her long red cushioned seat, talking to her kitten. She named him Snowball, because his fur was a pale silver like that of a snowy evening, and he often liked to curl into a little ball. Snowball was definitely one of the best gifts she had received from Tristan. He must have known how lonely she would feel while he was gone, and the kitten certainly not only kept her company, but also reminded her of Tristan with every passing moment.

It had been a month already since Tristan left for Vausterland, which meant he would be coming back very soon. Perhaps even in a matter of days. Her wedding dress was also almost finished, for she made sure to make Alexander work his pretty ass off every morning to finish it on time.

"Lina!" Alexander burst into her room a little while later, a wide smile on his face, and dancing excitement in his sparkling blue eyes.

"Quite cheerful today, are we?" Alina raised a curious eyebrow. She had not seen Alexander looking that genuinely happy for a very long time.

"And why shouldn't I be cheerful?" he shrugged, and she could notice him blushing.

"Don't tell me, did something happen between you and Jared?"

Alexander bit his bottom lip, giving Alina a cheeky grin.

"You naughty boy!" Alina chuckled. "The man can barely stand on his feet and you just had to..."

"Oh no, he's doing much better now, and he can definitely stand on his feet and more!" Alexander knelt eagerly by Alina's side, no longer able to remain quiet. "He can walk now, still using the help of a crutch though, but he's now able to make a complete round in the hallway outside his room. He can walk, and stand, and sit. And even fuck!" he giggled shamelessly and Alina shook her head. "Yes, we finally fucked this morning! But I made it very easy for him. I mean, I just let him stay on his back so that he wouldn't have to make any effort, and then I moved over his hips and took out his –"

"Alexander!" Alina gasped, cutting him off. "That's too many details."

"Come on Lina, it's not like you don't do stuff like that with Lord Tristan."

"Even if I did, I wouldn't brag and tell everyone about it!"

"Well, you're not everyone," Alexander pouted sulkily, and Alina sighed. She understood how much Alexander trusted her, how special she was to him. Because she felt exactly the same way about him. And she couldn't help but feel a little guilty for cutting him off like that.

"Alright bunny, so what else did you and Jared do this morning?" she smiled, giving in to her sweet friend's pout, and Alexander's face lit up again at once. She listened happily as he opened up to her, though she tried not to cringe as he narrated a few indecent details.

The morning passed peacefully as they talked and continued working on her wedding dress. Mira and Kat joined them later at lunch break, gasping as they noticed the great progress Alexander had done over the past few days.

"Holy Heavens, this is magical!" Mira's green eyes were wide with awe. Even Kat who was usually calm could not contain her excitement. "This must be the most beautiful dress in Engeldom indeed."

Of course it was. Alina folded her arms and took a step backward, admiring her precious wedding gown with a smug look on her face.

Full taffeta skirts in the palest shade of cornflower blue hung before the window and reached the floor. Heavy gold embellishments crowded along the hem and thinned gradually into less scattered florals towards the hips, growing thicker again at the waist and up towards the bust. Gold vines and smaller flowers travelled down the length of the long puffed sleeves. A matching cornflower veil embroidered in gold lay on a nearby chair, waiting for some final adjustments.

"It should be finished within another couple of days. Hopefully before Tristan comes home," Alina said.

"Oh, but haven't you heard?" Mira said, a slightly troubled look on her face. "Lord Tristan is being delayed at the capital. I heard he won't be coming back to Grytia for another month."

"What nonsense?" Alina frowned, her heart falling at the upsetting news. "He promised me he won't be long."

"But I heard Miss Klara and Miss Cylia talking about it yesterday. I assumed you already knew."

"Did you learn why he's being delayed?" Alina's frown deepened. Now she was getting angry.

"No one knows. According to what I heard, his message didn't seem to specify a reason so he's probably just being held back by the King," Mira said and she gently touched Alina's arm. "Don't worry Lina. You know Lord Tristan is King William's closest advisor, and perhaps the King just needs his help back at the capital, especially with the concerns about the recent attacks in the North."

Alina sighed, hoping that Mira was right. Her explanation did make sense. But it did nothing to put her at ease. She had been impatient enough already for Tristan to come back. And now to learn that he was being delayed again for another whole month. Or even more. That was just devastating.

***

The second month was terribly long and endless. Alina passed the time sitting in her terrace overlooking the west, hoping to catch the first glimpse of Tristan when he came flying back to Grytia.

Snowball mewed, or rather squealed at her feet, scratching and hopping up to reach her. The silver fur ball had grown quite bigger, which only reminded her of how long Tristan was gone. It had been two months already. And summer had just started. She sighed in frustration. Just how long did she still have to wait? He had to come back soon. He had to come back and marry her!

Snowball's squeals turned into louder cries, drawing Alina away from her thoughts.

"Alright little beast. Let's go get you something to eat," Alina said as she picked up the hungry creature in her arms and headed outside her room.

She could hear the loud chatter coming from the other end of the corridor as she approached the kitchen, and she couldn't help but chuckle as she remembered the good old days. Well, they hadn't been exactly good. Holding Snowball closer to her chest, she raised her head high and was just about to enter, when she suddenly stopped in her tracks as she heard the girls' conversation inside. And her heart sank to her feet.

"I can't believe what happened with Lord Tristan!"

"Me neither. That was completely unexpected."

"Poor Alina will be devastated."

Alina suddenly stormed into the kitchen, holding on tight to Snowball while her whole body shook with horror.

"What happened to Lord Tristan?" she asked, her heart racing as the most horrible thoughts spun within her mind.

Silence fell over the place, and the girls only looked back at her with expressions as horrified as her own. Even Maggie, who would have loved nothing more than seeing Alina distressed, seemed upset. That was not a good sign. No, that was a terrible sign.

"What happened? Is he hurt?" Alina shouted, panicking. "Why are you silent all of a sudden?" she turned to look at Mira, who was deliberately avoiding looking at her. Then she turned to look at Kat who only looked back at her with a sorrowful face. In a final desperate attempt, she turned to look at Maggie. But even Maggie did not speak.

Alina felt her head spinning and she didn't notice when Snowball had squirmed out of her arms and hopped to the floor.

"Alina," a voice called behind her, and she spun around in alarm. It was Klara, and behind her usual cold stare, Alina could catch the hidden sorrow in her grey eyes. Even Klara? "Come with me," Klara simply ordered.

Alina's heart raced madly as she sat in her own bed while Klara stood before her with a deep frown and a lowered head, apparently struggling to speak. Klara never lowered her head before anyone. And she definitely never struggled to speak.

"Klara, please tell me he's not hurt," Alina sobbed, no longer able to hold herself.

"Lord Tristan is completely fine, and we have just received a message this morning that he will be arriving at Grytia within a few days," Klara assured her, her voice firm and calm. But her eyes were still holding some reserved emotion, like sorrow or sympathy. "However..." Klara hesitated, and Alina's heart raced anew. "He is not coming back alone."

"What do you mean?" Alina frowned, wondering why that should be a problem.

"Lord Tristan has..." Klara hesitated again, and she took in a deep breath before she forced herself to continue, "Lord Tristan has wed Her Highness Princess Sophia, King William's daughter, and she is now his wife."

"His wife?" Alina blinked. "How... no, no, you must be mistaken," she chuckled nervously. "Tristan is going to marry me. He promised he will marry me when he returns from Vausterland. You of all people Klara shouldn't be listening to silly rumors."

"These are not rumors, Alina."

"Are you just trying to spite me?" Alina scowled, and her body started shaking again. "Do you think I will believe you when you say such absurd and ridiculous lies?"

"These are not lies Alina," Klara replied calmly. "And if you do not believe me, you can go and ask Miss Cylia. You may as well ask her to show you the official message we received from Lord Tristan himself."

Cold dread filled her guts as Klara's words started to sink into her head. No, this could not be happening. How could Tristan do that to her? 

Her chest heaved as she struggled to gasp for breath, and uncontrollable sobs escaped her despite her will.

"Please calm down," Klara said. But Alina could no longer hear or see anything as her insides churned and the world spun around her.

Tristan had broken his promise. He was not going to marry her.

Tristan had abandoned her again.

No, he had betrayed her.

And this time, he had broken her beyond repair.

*************

Yes, this was quite an unpleasant ending. Did you expect that to happen?

If you like this chapter, don't forget to leave a comment and vote!

A/N.

So, this was the last chapter for this book, but there is an epilogue next, which is also kind of a teaser for the second book. Make sure to read it as well (especially if you want to know what happened to a certain someone we all love and hate so much, lol).