☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ༻✧༺ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ ☽
Adeline could hear Archie’s footsteps just outside the door, his concern evident in the knock that followed the sound of her retching. She gripped the edge of the washbasin, tears slipping down her cheeks as she realized she could no longer keep this secret to herself.
At first, when Adeline began feeling “ill”, her family dismissed it as nothing more than a passing cold. They were assured she would recover. But the maids who changed to her linens had noticed the truth way before anyone else. Her monthly bleeding had not come for some time.
Thea soon heard the whispers of the maids as they discussed how this was even possible but Thea knew immediately. The moment she put the pieces together, she knew. Her dear Adeline, the girl she loved as her own, was with child.
Taking a shaky breath, Adeline wiped her face and straightened her gown before looking at herself in the mirror, her make up was already ruined from all the tears and her wiping her face. ‘He loves you Adeline. You can tell him.’ She thought before letting out a loud sigh.
When she finally stepped out, closing the door behind her, she found Archie waiting, his face filled with worry. The moment their eyes met, her she felt herself become vulnerable once again. Tears formed in her eyes, slipping down her flushed cheeks.
“Oh, Archie,"she whispered, her voice quivering. ”Ihave committed the greatest sin… it was never supposed to happen like this."
She dropped her gaze, shame pressing heavily on her chest. Adeline’s life had always been carefully planned, if not by herself, then by her mother. She was meant to be the diamond of the season, to meet the man of her dreams in a perfect romance, to receive a grand proposal before her family, and to have a wedding blessed by the Queen herself.
Adeline knew Archie was the love of her life, there was no doubt, but maybe if things could have gone differently… would he see her less because of what has happened?
That night when you came to me…" Adeline hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper.
~flashback~
Adeline remained frozen, her heart trying to escape from her chest.
Gathering her courage, Adeline stepped into the hall, her hand gripping the banister for support. She could hear his measured footsteps below, and as she reached the top of the sweeping staircase, she froze.
There he was, standing at the base of the stairs. His coat was damp from the rain, his hair disheveled, and yet he looked as composed as ever. Slowly, his gaze lifted, and their eyes met.
Adeline’s breath hitched, her hand tightening on the banister. Archie began to speak, and although she wanted to move, to say something, the flood of emotions kept her rooted in place.
As he stood close to her, breaking the distance between them, and took her hand in his, Adeline finally began to speak.
”Archie, I—”
Adeline, go back to your room.”[/color] Adeline turned, her breath catching at the sound of her brother’s voice.
”Atlas, please don’t—” she whispered before Atlas interrupted her.
”Adeline, I told you to go to your room,” Atlas insisted, his tone firm. As much as she wanted to argue, Adeline reluctantly pulled away from Archie and began heading toward her room, glancing back one last time.
”Thea, please get Lord Hastingston some new clothes,” Atlas said, his gaze not meeting Archie’s. Walking toward his father’s study, he spoke over his shoulder, his voice softening as he finally addressed him, ”After you change, please meet me in my father’s study. We need to talk.”
~~
”When you sneaked into my room, we shouldn’t have—" She took a trembling breath, hands shaking. ”I am not saying I regret it. That night was the most magical of my life, but…"
Finally, she looked up at him, her tear-filled eyes searching his.
Slowly, she reached for his hand, guiding it to rest gently against her belly.
“That night, we didn’t just fall into each other’s arms," Adeline said softly placing her other hand on his cheek making sure he looked at her, ”We created something real, something lasting… a little piece of us."
☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ༻✧༺ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ ☽
