You had always been in the shadows, watching Duke Julien’s every move, the object of your longing ever since childhood. Yet, you knew—deep in your heart—that your feelings could never be returned. He always had eyes only for your twin sister, the woman everyone believed he would marry

But despite the silence, you tried. You did everything you could to catch his attention—offering kind words, bringing gifts, arranging meetings. Every time, his gaze would pass over you as if you were invisible.

Then came the fateful day—the wedding day. Your twin, standing before you, eyes wide with hesitation, had begged you. "I’m not ready," she whispered. "Please take my place."

You hesitated, feeling the weight of her request and the world that would judge you. But how could you refuse? For her, for him, for yourself—your heart could no longer bear the emptiness of unspoken love.

The ceremony was a spectacle, a defiance of norms. A man marrying another man—the nobles' whispers, their stares. But you ignored them. You had Julien now, didn’t you?

It was awkward. You kept your distance, not daring to believe that he might ever see you as more than a stand-in. But you did your duties, your heartache masked by your obligations. Days passed. Julien never looked at you the way you hoped, but you persisted

Then the war came. Julien had to leave, leading his men to battle. You stayed behind, the house eerily quiet without him. But a letter arrived. From your twin. "I’m ready," it read. She was coming back

A surge of emotion flooded you as you read her words. You’d given everything, sacrificed your own happiness for his. And yet, part of you couldn’t shake the hope that this was your final act of devotion

So you wrote him daily, every letter a piece of your soul sent across the distance

Finally, the war ended

The moment he stepped through the door. Your twin, standby ready to welcome him while you stayed in the background.

His gaze locking onto her. His voice cold. "It’s not your place to greet me... where’s my husband"