~ The String of Fate ~

Chapter 11:

Well, I wasn't so excited to go meet my annoying sisters again but even they were better than the bastards I was living with now.

I waited impatiently as the duke sighed at my "indecent" behavior and brought out the letter bearing the Imperial family's seal.

"Here." The duke handed me the letter as I tore it open and brought out the letter holding the desired information.

"Hold on, Sovine." The duke spoke up preventing me from opening the letter as I raised a brow of confusion at him.

"Yes, your grace?" I questioned as he seemed to be struggling to find the right words.

"Well... Before you open the letter," He began with a deep breath.

"I must have you agree to and carry out the next engagement I arrange for you despite who the other individual is if your request to annul the engagement with the crown prince is accepted."

The duke declared as I couldn't help but allow my brows knitted together clearly displaying my displeasure.

'Well, I guess it can't get much worse than the crown prince... Unless it's a cranky old man again.'

I debated on whether to accept the duke's condition or not but soon realized I didn't have much of a choice here.

Plus, I doubt the imperial family would even allow the engagement to be broken off.

The Emporer is widely known to be quite a prideful man who refuses to go back on his word in any way after all.

'That's probably why the crown prince deals with most of his affairs but they couldn't possibly have left out the Emporer on his son's engagement plans... Right?'

"Alright, I'll do it as long as the age gap is within reason." I agreed after much more debate as the Duke let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.

"Then you may open the letter now." The Duke stated seeming satisfied with my answer, which began giving me second thoughts on my decision.

'There's no way they broke the engagement off that easily...'

I reassured myself profusely as I unfolded the letter and began reading through its contents.

'No way...'

My mouth fell slightly agape as I gazed down at that one specific paragraph near the end of the letter with trembling hands.

There, it was written...

"THOUGH USUALLY WE WOULD HAVE NEVER ALLOW THIS, SINCE IT HAS BEEN DIRECTLY REQUESTED FROM SOMEONE WITH A TITLE AS HONORABLE AS YOURS, WE SHALL ALLOW THE ANNULMENT OF THE ENGAGEMENT TO PROCEED."

The paper said in big bold uppercase letters.

I internally sobbed as I clenched my hand crinkling up the letter in my hand in despair though I had honestly predicted this but attempted to fool myself into a delusion.

'So they basically just let us break the engagement off because of the title if "Grand duke"?! Then why did the book mislead me so much into thinking they wouldn't?! I should burn that
cursed diary!'

I continued to drown in despair at the news though I would've probably found the answer if I just used my head a bit.

It was obvious why the diary said Sovine would be executed.

It was probably because the original Sovine wouldn't have asked for the engagement's annulment.

Since she had always been starved of love. So she sought out any little bit of love she could get from anyone.