"Because he doesnae love me back!"Sophie exploded, whirling to face them. "He made that perfectly clear when he told me this marriage was nothing more than a political arrangement. He said love was a luxury we couldnae afford."
Colette stepped forward,her face sympathetic. "Oh, mε dear girl. Men, especially men like Kenneth, aren't always the best at expressin' their feelings."
Sophie paced the room,her emotions in turmoil. "I daenae care!" she cried, tears of frustration burning in her eyes. "I cannae spend me life tryin' to decipher his moods, hoping for scraps of affection. I deserve more than that. I deserve... something real."
Arabella's voicewas uncharacteristically gentle. "Sophie, me brother... he's not good with emotions. But that doesnae mean he doesn't feel."
Sophie shook her head violently."Stop makin' excuses for him! Ye dinnae hear him, Arabella. He was so cold, so distant. It was like he was discussin' a business transaction, nae a marriage."
"And yet ye agreed to it,"Colette pointed out softly. "Why?"
Sophie froze,caught off guard by the question. She thought back to the moment she had agreed to marry Kenneth. Despite his cold demeanor, there had been something in his eyes - a flicker of something she couldn't quite name. Had it been concern? Warmth? Or was she simply seeing what she wanted to see?
"I... I daenae ken,"she admitted, her anger deflating slightly. "Because I kenned it was the best solution for everyone. For the clan, for me own safety."
"And for Kenneth?"Arabella prompted.
Sophie felta blush creep up her cheeks, quickly followed by a wave of self-loathing. "Aye," she whispered. "For Kenneth too."
She thoughtof the way Kenneth's shoulders seemed to carry the weight of the world, the lines of worry that creased his forehead when he thought no one was looking. Despite his gruff exterior, she knew he cared deeply for his clan, for the people under his protection. And somehow, without her even realizing it, she had come to care for him.
Colette's voicewas gentle but firm. "Carin' for someone isnae always grand gestures and passionate declarations, Sophie. Sometimes it's doin' what's best for the person, even if it's difficult."
"But what about me own happiness?"Sophie asked, hating how selfish the words sounded even as she spoke them. "Am I supposed to sacrifice everythin' for a man who cannae even bring himself to show me the slightest bit of warmth?"
Colette reachedfor Sophie's hand, squeezing it gently. "Openin' yer heart is always a risk, me dear. But sometimes, it's a risk worth takin'."
Sophie closed her eyes,torn between her growing feelings and her desire to protect herself. Could she do it? Could she open her heart to Kenneth, knowing there was a chance he might never return her feelings? The thought was terrifying.
"I daenae ken if I can,"she whispered, her voice breaking. "I daenae ken if I'm strong enough to risk being hurt."
Arabella's voice was firm."Ye are strong enough, Sophie. Ye're one of the strongest people I ken. But ye daenae have to decide everythin' right now. Give yerself time to sort through yer feelin's."
Sophie nodded,feeling simultaneously relieved and more conflicted than ever. She didn't have to have all the answers right now. She could take things one day at a time, one moment at a time. But the thought of walking down the aisle to a man who might never care for her the way she was beginning to care for him... it was almost too much to bear.
"Thank ye,"she said, looking at both women with a mixture of gratitude and uncertainty. "I daenae ken what I'd do without ye both."
Colette pulledher into a warm embrace. "That's what family is for, dear."
As Colette and Arabella left,promising to return later to help with wedding preparations, Sophie found herself once again drawn to the window. The sun was setting, painting the sky in vibrant hues of orange and pink. It was beautiful, but Sophie couldn't fully appreciate it. Her mind was too full of doubts and fears.
She cared for Kenneth.It was a truth she could no longer deny, no matter how much it terrified her. But caring, she waslearning, wasn't always enough. It couldn't erase the memory of his cold words, couldn't guarantee that he would ever return her feelings. As she stood there, watching the light fade from the sky, Sophie wrestled with her heart, trying to find the strength to protect herself while still leaving room for the possibility of something more.
I feel so alone…
The next fewdays passed in a blur of activity as preparations for the wedding kicked into high gear. Sophie found herself swept up in a whirlwind of fittings, meetings with the castle staff, and endless decisions about flowers and food. Through it all, she caught only fleeting glimpses of Kenneth, who seemed to be deliberately avoiding her.
Each time she saw him,her heart would leap in her chest, hope and dread warring within her. She longed to speak with him, to ask him if there was any chance he might come to care for her as more than just a political ally. But every time she gathered her courage, he would disappear, leaving her feeling more confused and alone than ever.
On the eveof the wedding, Sophie found herself once again in her chambers, this time staring at her reflection in a full-length mirror. Her wedding gown was a masterpiece of ivory silk and delicate lace, fitting her like a glove. She looked every inch the bride.
As she gazedat her reflection, Sophie felt tears welling up in her eyes. This should have been one of the happiest days of her life. Instead, she felt like she was preparing for battle, steeling herself for a future filled with loneliness and unrequited love.
"I can do this,"she whispered to her reflection, trying to summon the strength she needed. "I can be the wife he needs, the lady the clan deserves."
But even asshe spoke the words, Sophie felt her resolve wavering. Could she really go through with this? Could she bind herself to a man who might never love her, who saw their marriage as nothing more than a political necessity?
She thought of Kenneth,of the rare moments when she had glimpsed the man behind the stern facade. The way his eyes softened when he spoke of his clan, the gentleness in his touch when he had helped her from her horse.
