Shattered into fine dust

He knew the de Lara family for long. He was familiar with the humble nature of the current Duke of Barasca and his lovely family, as his father had become the Barasca knight even before he was born. And Duke John de Lara, the father of his best friend, Phillip de Lara, and his lovely lady, Joanna de Lara, had never seen others who bore a humble blood as a lowly person.

He always respected them, seeing them as the same breathing, living being. Hence, once he proved to him that he could stand on his feet to protect and provide a decent life for Joanna, he believed that Duke John de Lara would grant his proposal for Joanna's hands in marriage.

Nonetheless, all his hope was shattered into fine dust when he heard the news about the betrothal of Joanna with a general from Archess. He was shattered, dispirited, not only toward the lady that he loved would get married but also toward the man who would become her husband.