Page 39 of The Duke’s Duet

"Someone who won't be destroyed by association with you." His mother's voice gentled. "Harper... my son... I see how this pains you. But sometimes the kindest thing we can do for those we care about is to let them go."

He closed his eyes, remembering Melody's face during their duet - the trust in her expression, the way that she'd let all her walls down, sharing her true self through the music they created together. The thought of deliberately withdrawing from that connection, of treating her with cold formality, made his chest ache.

"And if I can't?" The words emerged barely above a whisper. "If what I feel for her is—"

"Don't." His mother's voice cracked slightly. "Don't say it. Don't even think it. Such feelings can only lead to pain - for both of you." She moved closer, reaching up to touch his cheek as she always had when he was a child. "You are the Duke of Brightwood. Everything you do affects not just yourself, but everyone who depends on you - our family, our estates, our people. You cannot afford the luxury of following your heart."

The room fell silent except for the quiet ticking of the clock on the mantle.

Each click seemed to emphasise the weight of duty pressing down on him, the impossibility of what his heart wanted.

"I understand," he said finally, the words tasting like ashes in his mouth.

But even as he spoke, even as he saw the relief cross his mother's face, he knew that he was lying.

Because understanding what he must do didn't make it any easier.

Didn't stop him from hearing Melody's voice in his mind, didn't ease the ache in his chest when he thought of treating her with cold formality.

His mother moved towards the door, then paused.

"Your father never regretted choosing duty over his personal desires. He found satisfaction in doing what was right, what was necessary."

"And you, Mother? Did you ever regret loving someone whose duty would always come first?"

She didn't answer immediately. When she did, her voice held an emotion he couldn't quite identify.

"Some loves are worth the pain they bring, my son. But that doesn't make them wise."

The door closed behind her with a quiet click, leaving Harper alone with thoughts of impossible choices and the memory of Melody's voice joining with his in perfect, heartbreaking harmony.