Chapter 27: The Hunting Lodge

Chapter 27: Chapter 27: The Hunting Lodge

The Imperial Hunting Lodge sat at the edge of the northern forests.

Surrounded by golden autumn trees and rolling hills, it looked less like a royal residence and more like something from a painting.

Which was unfortunate.

Because Marian was in no mood to appreciate scenery.

The carriage rolled to a stop.

A servant opened the door.

Marian stepped out.

Cold mountain air immediately greeted her.

Sharp.

Clean.

Refreshing.

For the first time in weeks, she felt like she could breathe.

The feeling lasted approximately three seconds.

Then she spotted Adrian.

There he was.

Standing near the main entrance.

Speaking with several nobles.

Perfect posture.

Perfect appearance.

Perfect smile.

Marian’s heart betrayed her instantly.

She hated that.

Because after everything—

after the gala

after the arguments

after Elena—

she still loved him.

What an embarrassing thing.

Adrian looked up.

Their eyes met.

For one brief second, something softened in his expression.

Relief.

Then he excused himself from the nobles and headed toward her.

Immediately.

Marian hated the way her stomach fluttered.

"Marian."

His voice sounded warm.

Familiar.

Dangerously familiar.

"Your Highness."

The warmth vanished.

Only slightly.

Enough for her to notice.

Enough for him to notice.

Neither seemed happy about it.

"How was the journey?"

"Uneventful."

"I’m glad."

Silence.

Neither knew what to do with each other anymore.

That realization hurt more than Marian wanted to admit.

A few months ago they could have talked for hours.

Now they could barely survive three minutes.

"I thought perhaps—"

Adrian began.

A servant suddenly appeared.

Naturally.

"Your Highness."

Marian nearly laughed.

Of course.

The servant bowed.

"The hunting routes require your approval."

Adrian visibly suppressed a sigh.

"Now?"

"The other nobles are waiting."

For one brief moment Marian thought he might refuse.

He didn’t.

"Very well."

Of course.

Adrian turned back toward her.

"I’m sorry."

The apology sounded sincere.

It always did.

"We’ll talk later."

Marian smiled politely.

"Of course."

The words tasted bitter.

Because she knew.

Later.

Tomorrow.

Soon.

After this.

After that.

There was always a later.

And somehow later never arrived.

A few minutes later, Marian entered the lodge.

The interior was beautiful.

Wood-paneled walls.

Massive stone fireplaces.

Tall windows overlooking the forests.

Nobles moved through the halls.

Servants carried luggage.

The atmosphere felt far less formal than the palace.

Which somehow made everything worse.

There was nowhere to hide here.

Everyone would see everyone.

For an entire week.

A terrifying thought.

"Lady Marian."

Marian turned.

Elena Hart stood nearby.

Looking nervous.

Again.

At this point Elena spent most of her life looking nervous around Marian.

Which was probably fair.

"Miss Hart."

An awkward silence followed.

Neither woman seemed eager to break it.

Finally Elena smiled.

"The lodge is beautiful."

Marian stared.

Then, despite herself:

"That’s your opening?"

Elena blinked.

"What?"

"The lodge."

Marian gestured around them.

"Of all possible topics."

To her surprise, Elena laughed.

A genuine laugh.

The tension eased slightly.

Only slightly.

"To be fair," Elena admitted, "I panicked."

Marian almost smiled.

Almost.

Then footsteps approached.

Adrian.

Again.

For one ridiculous moment Marian felt hopeful.

Then Elena brightened.

Not dramatically.

Not obviously.

Just enough.

Enough that Marian noticed.

Enough that Marian wished she hadn’t.

"Your Highness."

Adrian smiled.

And immediately launched into a discussion regarding the medical initiative.

Just like that.

Marian stood there for several seconds.

Listening.

Trying.

Really trying.

Then she realized neither of them had noticed she wasn’t speaking.

A strange feeling settled in her chest.

Not anger.

Something quieter.

Something worse.

Loneliness.

Eventually she excused herself.

Neither stopped her.

Neither noticed immediately.

That hurt too.

Wonderful.

Everything hurt lately.

Later that afternoon, Marian changed into her riding clothes.

The hunting retreat officially began the following morning.

Traditionally the first ride was conducted by members of the Imperial Family and their closest companions.

Normally she rode with Adrian.

Always.

The thought comforted her.

A little.

Enough.

Maybe this week would be different.

Maybe they would finally talk.

Maybe they would finally fix things.

Maybe she was an idiot.

That possibility seemed increasingly likely.

The next morning dawned bright and cold.

The stables buzzed with activity.

Horses.

Servants.

Nobles.

Riders preparing for the day’s excursion.

Marian arrived early.

For once.

And immediately spotted Adrian.

Good.

Perhaps today—

"Elena."

Marian’s thoughts stopped.

Adrian stood beside a chestnut horse.

Looking toward Elena.

"Come with me."

Elena looked surprised.

"Me?"

"We need to discuss the northern clinic proposal."

Work.

Of course.

Always work.

Always something.

Always someone.

Marian stood perfectly still.

Watching.

Waiting.

Perhaps Adrian would remember.

Perhaps he would turn around.

Perhaps he would realize.

Perhaps—

Nothing.

A moment later Adrian and Elena rode away together.

Talking.

Focused entirely on each other.

Neither looked back.

Marian stared after them.

The autumn wind felt colder than before.

Somewhere behind her, a horse snorted.

Life continued.

Unfortunately.