Chapter 2
"Don't bring this up again. This is my fault, not Rowena's," I said.
"You still have younger siblings to look after at home. Don't get yourself caught up in all this mess," I told her gently.
Cicely looked like she was about to cry again.
As I comforted her, I quietly slipped the 13 thousand dollars back into her bundle.
When I stepped outside, I saw Alaric standing by the door, wearing black and standing tall.
I was not sure how long he'd been standing there, listening in.
"You did the right thing. You really do owe Rowena this.
"Don't let the servants spread rumors about you," he said.
His face softened a bit, and for a moment.
This made me recall the brother who used to make paper kites for me.
"And what about your jewelry? You can—" he started.
My words tumbled out, quick and anxious. "I didn't take any. Not a single piece."
I dropped my gaze again.
"I know. None of it was ever really mine," I added softly.
After a long pause, Alaric just murmured, "Mm."
His tone softened a bit.
"Make sure to mind your conduct while you're with Caspian," he reminded.
"Give it a month, tops. I promise, I'll bring you back home.
"You'll still be the Ashworth family's heiress then," he promised.
Since I wasn't going to Hawksmoor Grange, everyone just assumed I'd turn to my fiancé Caspian for support.
Once I heard his footsteps fade away, I slipped out through the side gate with my bundle on my back.
But I didn't seek out Caspian.
Alaric didn't know, but I knew.
The moment it was revealed that Rowena was the true daughter of the Ashworth family, Caspian's parents came to call off the engagement.
At the time, my father sat in his study, his voice completely devoid of emotion as he spoke about it.
"I thought you two cared for each other, and when you married him, you would remain the Ashworth family's heiress," he said.
"But now they've called off the engagement. Do you understand what this means for you?" he added.
My gaze fell on the pouch I'd made for Caspian, lying on the desk.
And a sharp pang of bitterness hit me.
I never imagined Caspian would be the first to abandon me.
That year, when my father and brother went back home for the ancestral rites, Caspian was stationed at the northern frontier.
Still, he raced against time, traveling day and night just to make it back and spend Lanterneve Eve with me.
Back then, Caspian promised me with all his heart.
"Liana, I swear I'll never let you be alone," he said.
Fighting back the ache, I spoke each word with deliberate care.
"I understand. I won't take anything from Rowena," I said quietly.
Only then did my father finally let me go, his expression finally content.
I thought I could at least stay until my Naming Day Feast was over.
But in the end, not even a scrap of warmth was left for me to cling to.
After leaving home, I went to Sovereign Academy.
I knew I wouldn't be able to come back again, so I needed to say goodbye to Master Osric.
When I walked in, there were still plenty of familiar faces around.
I knew what happened at the Naming Day Feast had already spread.
Everyone knew I wasn't the true Ashworth family's heiress anymore.
Not wanting anyone to see me falter, I slipped on a lace veil before I went in.
As I walked in, I overheard someone inside saying, "Thaddeus promised he'd bring me that embergold elixir when he comes back. I'll give it to Rowena, okay?"
All the flattery and chatter instantly died the moment I walked in.
They nudged each other, and finally, Rowena made a cute face and turned to the charming boy next to her, calling out, "Caspian, your fiancée's here!"
That was when I finally noticed Caspian was there too.
Without thinking, I blurted out, "Caspian..."
Caspian didn't even look up.
He was totally focused on picking a splinter out of Rowena's hand, like I wasn't even there.
"Seriously, how many times do I have to say it? We're not engaged anymore," he said.
He shot me a careless look.
"You don't even know what you're talking about," he scoffed.
Everyone started laughing and jeering.
Rowena was laughing so hard she nearly doubled over.
"Liana, Caspian really doesn't want you clinging to him like that," Rowena said with a playful smirk.
I couldn't stop my mouth from trembling.
And I forced myself not to let the tears spill over.
I was so grateful for the lace veil. At least it let me hide my face right now.
It was the last shred of dignity I had left.
I rushed away, making a quick escape to find Master Osric and say my goodbyes.
Master Osric gave me a heartfelt reminder, urging me not to slack off in my studies, even if I was no longer part of the Ashworth family.
By the time I stepped outside, the courtyard was deserted.
Only Caspian stood beneath a tree, absentmindedly toying with something in his hands.
I kept my head down, ready to slip away, when suddenly there was a sharp crash behind me.
Something had hit the ground.
I turned, and there it was: a porcelain fawn, broken into jagged pieces.
It was the Naming Day gift I'd made for Caspian with my own hands, all those years ago.
Back then, he loved it so much.
His eyes would light up as he told me he kept it under his pillow every night, like having me right there with him.
As if I was always there for him, keeping him company.
Caspian glanced at me, his eyes deep and unreadable, like an autumn lake.
"Sorry, I was a bit heavy-handed," he said.
"But I guess you don't care, right?
"We're strangers now. There's nothing left between us," he added.
He turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, not even giving me a second to respond.
The early summer courtyard echoed with the mournful song of cicadas.
I crouched down, my hands trembling as I stubbornly tried to fit the porcelain shards back together.
But the pieces just wouldn't fit, just like Caspian and me.
What's broken couldn't be made whole again.
Then I left the Sovereign Academy.
I walked up to a house in Lavender Close and knocked on the door.