Duke Of Darkness

CHAPTER 3

The wedding took place in the capital on a cloudy afternoon. Dark clouds hung low in the sky, as if signaling the secrets and burdens that surrounded the ceremony. Yet, for those who knew the Hurbret family present, the wedding of Rafael De Carlies and Annette Hurbret still appeared grand, though wrapped in an enforced simplicity. White lilies adorned the main aisle, but the fragrance of the flowers was overpowered by the scent of iron, sweat, and the worry clinging to the skin of everyone there.

Rafael stood before the altar, dressed in formal robes embroidered with golden threads, though the dark circles under his eyes revealed sleepless nights. Annette, by his side, looked like a newly blossomed flower. Her ivory silk gown and blonde hair that cascaded gently over her shoulders gave her an air of grace, despite the unease that she could not fully hide on her face. When their eyes met, something warm and light passed between them—a flicker of hope amidst the fog of uncertainty.

“From now on, you are my responsibility.”

The first days after the wedding felt strange. The Hurbret family house, which was now Rafael’s home as well, carried an unfamiliar atmosphere. The stone walls, adorned with luxurious tapestries and large mirrors, felt more like a prison than a sanctuary. Yet Annette was a light in that dark environment. The woman known for her shyness had a way of turning silence into warmth with just a few words.

“Rafael,” Annette called one morning as they sat together in the quiet dining room. Rafael looked up at her over the rim of his steaming tea cup, one eyebrow slightly raised.

Annette looked down for a moment, her eyes sparkling with an unusual glint of mischief. “I’ve been wondering,” she said softly, “does a soldier like you… know how to plant flowers? Or do flowers bloom out of fear of your sword?”

Rafael paused, surprised by the jest. Then, without realizing it, his lips curved into a small smile. “Those flowers must be very clever if they know what’s good for them,” he replied. “And yes, perhaps I could try planting flowers… if I have enough courage not to make them die.”

Annette’s gentle laughter filled the room, bringing it to life. Rafael, accustomed to the harshness of the battlefield and deadly commands, found himself entranced by the simple joy his wife brought. Annette had a way of making small things beautiful. Her laughter could fill the empty spaces in Rafael’s heart, and he began to realize that although he married Annette out of obligation, life with her was not as bleak as he had imagined.

That night, as the candles burned low and shadows danced on the walls, Rafael sat by the fireplace. Annette approached with a cup of tea whose scent was soothing. She slid the cup toward Rafael and tilted her head curiously.

“I can’t stop thinking about something,” Annette said, her eyebrows quirking in an amusing way. “How is it that someone like you, with such an intimidating gaze, can look so… awkward at the dining table? You hold a spoon as if it were a secret weapon.”

Rafael rolled his eyes, though a faint smile appeared on his lips. “Maybe I believe that dinner could turn into a battlefield at any moment,” he replied in a serious tone, but a glimmer of humor shone in his eyes. “Who knows when frozen soup might strike back?”

Annette laughed again, louder this time, making Rafael feel a warm sensation spread through his chest. He couldn’t remember the last time someone laughed like that because of him. Usually, people were afraid, respectful, or wary in his presence. But Annette? She was someone who didn’t see Rafael as a shadow warrior or a bearer of terrifying power but simply as her husband—odd and awkward as he was.

There was a warmth that began to grow, an unexpected familiarity amidst a world full of threats. Between the small laughs and smiles they shared, Rafael realized that this married life, born of responsibility, might become something more beautiful. Annette, with her gentle ways, was slowly opening the door to a side of Rafael that he had long buried deep within himself. A side that craved simple happiness.

“I’m glad I married you, Annette. Please don’t let me down.”

Annette blushed at the words, letting out a soft laugh as she looked at Rafael. “Of course, my husband. I will never forget you.”