Shadows of Deceit

Time frame: war time

Despite the astonishment of the people, Sir Arthur George had chosen Lady Sophia Mary as his wife over the King's daughter, Princess Chalde Pynsia.

Many wondered why he made such a surprising decision. The unexpected turn of events took aback Lady Sophia herself.

She had only interacted with Sir Arthur a few times, providing medical care for his measles. She never anticipated that their encounters would blossom into a romantic connection.

According to Sir Arthur, he was captivated by Lady Sophia's beauty and the tender care she provided him.

It seemed like a tale of love at first sight, and Lady Sophia believed she had found incredible fortune in accepting Sir Arthur's proposal. She felt like the luckiest girl in all of Everkeep.

However, as time went on, Lady Sophia gradually discovered the truth. The love Sir Arthur professed was merely a facade, concealing a darker reality.

Behind closed doors, he revealed his true nature, one filled with deceit, manipulation, and disregard for her well-being.

The realization shattered Lady Sophia's initial perception of their relationship. She found herself trapped in a web of lies, unable to escape the clutches of a man she thought she knew.

The fairytale she once believed in had transformed into a nightmare.

Sitting at the dining table, surrounded by the familiar faces of officials, Lady Sophia observed as the conversation drifted from art and politics to the pressing matter of the conditions on the Clearport border.

With a determined resolve, she took a deep breath and began to address the urgent needs that plagued their once-thriving outpost.

"Clearport, once a beacon of strength and resilience, has faced unimaginable challenges," Lady Sophia spoke earnestly, her voice commanding attention. "Despite the valiant efforts of the dragon riders of Gamaaloth and the blessings of the Old God, our beloved harbor now lies in ruins. The destruction has left the townspeople destitute, their lives shattered, and our brave troops wounded and weary."

Her words hung in the air, carrying the weight of the suffering those at the border endured. Lady Sophia continued, her voice filled with a mix of urgency and determination.

"We find ourselves in dire need of medical support and sustenance. The scarcity of food supplies threatens the well-being of our people, and the lack of adequate medical care puts their lives at risk."

As the conversation shifted abruptly to Lady Sophia's presence on the battlefield, Sir Arthur interjected with an air of pride and enthusiasm. "Oh, but did you know that Lady Sophia, my beloved and courageous wife, also ventured onto the battlefield?"

Curiosity piqued, the officials turned their attention towards Sir Arthur, eager to learn more. However, Lady Giselle, known for her jests and frivolity, couldn't resist injecting a dose of humor into the discussion.

With a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, she chimed in, "Oh, pray tell, Sir Arthur, what did these Gamaaloth mutants look like? Were they as enormous as polar bears? After all, they do coexist with those majestic creatures. Perhaps they were a peculiar blend of humans and polar bears, ahahaha!"

Lady Giselle's laughter resonated through the room, eliciting chuckles from the others gathered. The jest spread like wildfire, and soon the entire table was filled with the lighthearted mirth of the officials.

"Oh, yes, Lady Sophia possesses remarkable wound-healing abilities," Arthur exclaimed, rising abruptly from his seat. He called upon one of the servants to fetch his pet sparrow.

"Arthur!" Sophia's voice carried a tone of reproach, her eyes reflecting her displeasure.

She detested the notion of being paraded like a spectacle, her unique talents reduced to mere entertainment for others. "My abilities are not meant for display," she expressed with a gentle yet firm voice.

"Oh, come on, I married you because of this ability of yours," Arthur retorted in a dissonant tone, his pride wounded by Sophia's rejection in front of his friends.

As the waiter arrived with a cage containing a small bird, Arthur eagerly took it in his hands, determined to prove his point.

He presented the bird to his friends at the table, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Witnessing the innocent yellow bird perched within Arthur's grasp, Sophia's heart sank. She knew what was about to unfold, and she couldn't bear to witness the consequences of Arthur's thoughtless actions.

With a misplaced sense of power, Arthur firmly pressed his thumb and forefinger against the delicate neck of the tiny bird, causing a sharp, pitiful squawk to escape its fragile form. The life within it faded away in an instant, silenced forever.

Lady Sophia clenched her hands tightly on her thighs, her anguish palpable. She bit her lip hard, fighting back the tears threatening to spill from her eyes, desperately trying to compose herself in the face of Arthur's callousness.

"Oh!" Arthur exclaimed in surprise, his tone lacking any true remorse. "Oh!" he repeated, his voice filled with feigned concern. "Looks like I broke its neck too much this time. Oh! It's not moving at all! Help it, my dear, please. It may not be too late." He hastily placed the lifeless bird on Sophia's lap, expecting her to miraculously revive it.

Sophia's heart shattered, and the dam holding back her emotions crumbled. She could no longer contain the grief welling up within her.

Tears streamed down her face as her voice trembled, filled with pain and anger. "I can't," she choked out, her words strained and raw. "It's dead... I'm a healer... I'm not God..."

The room fell silent, but the collective reaction was far from genuine mourning. Instead, it seemed to be an orchestrated display of superficial sympathy devoid of true empathy or remorse.

Their hollow expressions of sorrow masked the underlying indifference that permeated the room.

In that moment, Sophia felt the weight of disillusionment settle upon her shoulders.

She realized the depths of Arthur's disregard for life and the callousness of those surrounding him. The true nature of their characters was laid bare before her, revealing a profound disconnect from the empathy and compassion she held dear.

As the room feigned grief, Sophia's heart broke for the bird that had lost its life in a cruel display of arrogance and insensitivity.

The tears she shed were for the bird and the realization that she had married into a world that lacked the compassion and kindness she so deeply believed in.

"It's okay, my dear Sophia. You're just too tired to exert all your energy at the border. Rest and your abilities will return," Lady Giselle consoled, her lips adorned with a bright red smile.

Arthur swiftly motioned for one of the maids to remove the bird carcass from Sophia's lap, a look of disgust crossing his face as it was taken away.

"Yes, of course! I'm tired! All of us at the border are exhausted! We put our lives on the line to protect Everkeep, to safeguard all of you within its walls! And what did you do while we were fighting? Indulge, drink wine, and smoke cigars?!"

"Sophia!" Arthur's voice boomed, reprimanding her loudly.

"We need your support in supplying us with enough food and medicine to sustain our fight. I implore each and every one of you at this table to consider the gravity of our situation," Sophia asserted, her voice filled with conviction.

With a resolute gesture, she placed the white napkin on her lap back onto the dining table and strode away, leaving the room behind.

Feeling a surge of frustration, Sophia marched down the castle hallway towards the North wing, her fancy dress trailing behind her, its luxurious fabric brushing against the cold stone floor.

Each step she took echoed with determination, fueled by her growing discontent.

She was tired of the lavish clothes Arthur constantly bought for her and yearned for a more practical approach, directing resources to support the needs of the war. These expensive gowns seemed unnecessary, with most of them never even worn.

Arriving in her room, Sophia shed her garments with disdain. She unfastened her corset, feeling its tight grip relinquish its hold on her body, granting her a moment of relief.

Her skirt and outer dress followed, cast aside carelessly, no longer symbols of status but rather burdensome reminders of life out of touch with the realities of war.

Just as she settled in her lace undergarment, the door swung open, revealing Arthur standing in the doorway.

He had been chasing after her, catching up at last. Without warning, he delivered a stinging slap across her face, the force reverberating through her jaw.

Pain blossomed on Sophia's cheek as she cradled it, her eyes welling with tears. She had endured countless such acts of aggression from Arthur, but this blow was the harshest yet.

"You're spoiling the harmonious ambience of our meal! How dare you show such disrespect!" Arthur's voice thundered with anger as he scolded Sophia.

Sophia cradled her throbbing cheek, feeling the sting of his powerful blow. Her jaw felt slightly out of place, but she managed to realign it with a determined effort.

This slap had been the harshest of many she had endured from Arthur.

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