The silence between Tristan and me was stifling. Tension settled in the air, heavy with the weight of the upcoming revelations. Tristan interlocked his fingers in front of him and swallowed thickly, steeling himself for what he would divulge.

"She was the first woman I loved, truly and deeply," his started, his voice composed.

I, on the other hand, felt every nerve within me, unravel by the fact that Tristan was confiding in me of his own will.

"Before her, I was but a reckless rake, eager to impress my peers and fit in. Isaac Greene was one of those peers. I didn't have friends growing up. All of them simply put up with me because of my family name, and because I was Adrian's brother. They were never really interested in me, as I lacked in comparison to Adrian. So, I changed myself—became more like them and did things they liked, hoping to be accepted. I joined the army, I became promiscuous, and I finally had a group of friends who liked me.

"Aurora and her father weren't well-off. He was a travelling merchant, while she earned a living making and selling bracelets and other crafts. She loved to play with the children in the city, to sing songs and play the piano forte at auctions and parties. Everything she did, she did it with a smile. She looked to the future with immeasurable optimism. Even with her difficulties, she was always herself. She lived for herself, not to please other people—that's what I believed. Perhaps I fell for her because she was what I strived to be. She knew all my secrets, doubts and fears, and still loved me. At least, I thought she did."

From the deep frown on his face, I knew the rainbow she'd brought in his life soon faded.

"She comforted me and everyone at the orphanage when we learned of Miki's limited time. When I said I would find the fairy's tear for Miki's sake, she encouraged me to. Told me that I would succeed and Miki would be saved. She was so happy when I retrieved it and showed it to her—within a special wooden box. What she didn't know was that I had retrieved something else from my quest especially for her."

He sighed, his eyes shutting tightly as the memories flooded in. He was trying to stop them from being relived, but the pain on his face was clear. The effort was futile.

"I was going to propose to her that very night. And do you know what she did? She took it. She took the fairy's tear. It was by chance that Rebecca revealed to me her whereabouts. I caught her red-handed, selling the tear to some greftyrs for a hefty sum. I tried to stop everything, but I was outnumbered and overpowered. She got away, and do you know who helped her? One of my so-called friends," he spat bitterly, resentment and anger seeping ito his voice."They fled on a horse with their money while I called out to them. While I lay there helpless, being beaten by the people she sold it to.

"When I awoke later, I was told I'd been asleep for five days—it was Rebecca who found me and took care of me. Miki..." His voice shook and his lip trembled, so he caught it between his teeth. "Miki had been dead for three days."

My heart sunk with grief, my mind slowly processing all he told me. How could she have done such a thing, knowing...

"I was in pain," Tristan admitted, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Emotional, physical. psychological pain. Every part of me hurt. Yet I...I still couldn't believe it. I told myself there had to be an explanation. That the woman I wished to spend the rest of my life with would not betray me like that. So I searched for her despite not wholly recovered from my injuries. I could not accept the pain fully, didn't want to grasp the truth of her betrayal. Finally, I found her."

His eyes grew cold, his face still with a malignant calm. "I saw her from a distance in Lenshire province, but couldn't approach. She was with him. That so-called friend Richard with whom she'd run away. They were embracing each other. Laughing happily as though their actions hadn't completely broken me. As though a child didn't die because of them."

I didn't have the words to speak, too befuddled and incredulous. His emotions called to mine, urging me to feel his anguish towards Aurora, Richard, and the injustice of Miki's death. It was a feeling of a hammer against my chest to simply imagine how tormented he must have been, the rage he must have felt...all because he fell in love with a woman who did not deserve him.

"It was pointless trying to ask myself why they'd do this, or for how long it had been going on. Because why not? From the start, no one's ever truly liked me. No one. Of course, even she would be the same. I was a pass time. Someone she could toy with while her heart was with another. She never truly loved me, no. And once she obtained the greatest, most priceless thing from me, I was of no use anymore. My misfortune was my own fault. Because I am...." He sighed—a sound deep with sadness and dejection. "...I am unlovable."

My soul squeezed within me, my heart fracturing at those words. Those very words had come out of my mouth at Devereux mansion; reckless and vengeful, intended for no other reason but to hurt him the same way he'd hurt me.

"No." I stepped closer to him, shaking my head adamantly. "No, Tristan." I swallowed a lump in my throat, my heart heavy with sorrow and regret.

My hand found his cheek, urging him to look at me. His dark brown eyes were dull with desolation, glistening with tears he held back. It was excruciating to see him this way, and more so with the knowledge that I had broken him a second time with an insecurity he'd held so deeply and for so long. I wished I could take those words back, but the awareness that I couldn't was a twisting stab to my gut.

"Don't say that," I begged, my voice wobbling. "I'm sorry I ever called you that, because you are more than worthy of love. You are compassionate and generous. Just and selfless. You are everything good and wonderful. Everything about you is beautiful, even the flaws. Tristan, I..."

I stepped closer, cradling his face with my hands. One of his hands covered mine and he shut his eyes, leaning into my touch.

"Forgive me for calling you unlovable," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Even when I said that, I didn't mean it one bit. If anyone—anyone at all knew you the way I do, why wouldn't they love you?"

He opened his eyes and met my pleading yet steady gaze.

"There isn't a single reason," I whispered.

He stared at me, his eyes full of an emotion I couldn't quite name. His thumb stroked my palm, his lips parting with slow, light breaths.

"Mavis, I..."

I leaned in subconsciously. His voice was so low, I had to be as close as possible just to hear him. Our breaths mingled, the slight scent of alcohol lingering between us.

"If I..." he rasped. "I mean...would you...?"

My heart pounded fast against my rib cage, anticipating his next words. "Yes?" I whispered back, certain that this would be the same answer I gave if he asked anything of me right now.

He leaned in, brushing his nose against mine.

My skin was alive with shudders at the simple contact. His free hand skimmed up against the curve of my neck, his thumb tracing my jawline. The caress was gentle, yet it caused my entire body to heat up. Tremors passed underneath the skin he touched, spreading all over. My eyes fluttered close at the almost dizzying sensation.

"There you two are!"

We sprang a part like frightened cats at the cheery voice. Dorian and Diana were side by side, grinning at us. The former stood with his back straight and hands behind his back while the latter stood with her legs slightly a part, her thick muscular arms crossed over her chest.

I swallowed down my lungs and struggled to get my racing heart under control, all the while appearing nonchalant in front of the siblings.

"We came to fetch you to show you to your rooms," Dorian relayed. Amusement lit up his face, and I bet he knew exactly what he had interrupted. "You must be exhausted, and you have a long day tomorrow!"

"Time to sleep!" Diana barked.

And so they led us towards the main house. Silence reigned between Tristan and me even as we parted ways to our respective bedrooms, leaving behind unanswered questions and unresolved feelings.

Author's note.

Well, I'd say that was a heavy chapter. At least we now know the mystery of Tristan's first love.

What do you think he was going to ask Mavis in their 'moment'?

Thank you for reading😊and don't forget to vote ⭐️