Chapter 1 A Final Break Chapter 1 A Final Break : 60 +10 Free Coins In the sixth year of the Loyal Dawn Dynasty , during the heart of winter , Soren Zonfrillo , son of the Zonfrillo family , led his troops to a decisive victory against Lableoton . When he returned in triumph , the nation celebrated him as a hero . After receiving his rewards and honors at court , he finally made his way back to the Zonfrillo Estate . By then , it was already well past midnight . Fiona Niven had gone to bed , but she stirred awake when she heard his deep , steady voice instructing the servants to prepare water . She pushed herself up and looked toward him . Soren , catching her gaze out of the corner of his eye , gave no reply . Without so much as a word , he walked into the washroom . A quarter hour later , he reemerged . His tall , lean figure filled the doorway . Dark brows slanted toward his temples , his sharp features strikingly handsome . When he didn't smile , his expression was severe , almost forbidding . Now that he stood draped in glory , ranked high and commanding immense power , the sense of distance he carried felt all the more chilling , making him seem like a stranger . Reaching out , he took Fiona's chin between his fingers , examining her calmly as if she were no more than a painting to study . Then , without warning , his hand slid downward , slipping beneath her collar . At that very moment , thunder cracked across the sky . Rain fell in torrents , hammering against the windows . Outside , delicate blossoms shivered in the storm , willow branches sway nd quivered , the night scenery achingly beautiful even in its violence . After some time , both the storm outside and the one inside the bedchamber came to a pause . For other couples , such a reunion would have been followed by tender words , murmured endearments , the kind of affection that springs from long separation . But for Fiona and Soren , despite being apart for an entire year , their meeting felt colder , more distant than ever . Soren had always been admired . At just seventeen , he had already followed his father , Alexander Zonfrillo , to battle and carved out achievements that made the empire take notice . Skilled both in the arts and in warfare , he was considered the perfect son - in - law by countless noble families in Jexburgh . Fiona's marriage to him had been arranged by her parents and blessed by the matchmakers . Yet , before their wedding , Soren's heart had belonged to another - the second daughter of the 1/4 14:34 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 1 A Final Break : 60 +10 Free Coins Thankerton family , now the Fourth Princess Consort . The two had been deeply attached , lovers matched in both talent and affection . If not for the intervention of the Fourth Prince , they might have wed happily . The thought of it still stung Fiona . She was no less beautiful or in family background than that other young woman . Yet while the Thankerton daughter now lived blissfully with her husband , Fiona's marriage was a gulf of silence and neglect . " Three days from now , I'll be returning to Broadmoor , " Soren finally said . His tone was flat , as though he were simply announcing a piece of military strategy . Every time he returned home , he stayed no more than two or three days . Fiona remained silent . For the next several days , he buried himself in official duties , often spending nights in his study . Not once did he visit her chambers . It wasn't until the night before his departure that Fiona saw him again . As he lay upon her once more , she finally whispered , unable to hold back any longer , " I want to go with you to Broadmoor . " He stilled . Then his voice came , low and detached . " The winters in Broadmoor are bitter . Your health won't withstand it . Stay here in the estate . If you're lonely , you can always invite your mother to visit . " Fiona said nothing . She turned over , her back to him , feigning sleep . Still restless with desire , he reached for her again . She dodged his hand . " Please , Lord Soren , have some mercy on my body . " His hand froze midair . He lingered for a long moment , staring at the curve of her back . Then , slowly , he withdrew , his interest extinguished . Fiona didn't sleep . Silent tears soaked her pillow . She knew the truth - he simply did not want to take her with him . As she reached to wipe her tears , his arm suddenly slid around her waist , pulling her against him . " Why do you want to go to Broadmoor ? " His voice was deep , steady , and close against her ear . Her eyes were red , but her tone was deliberately light . " I've never been there . I was curious about the landscape . But since you say it's so cold , I suppose I don't want to go anymore ." 2/4 14:34 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 1 A Final Break " Good . " Relief flickered in his voice , as though her lack of insistence eased his burden . & 660 +10 Free Coins She said nothing more . She would not let him hold her . Pretending to be asleep , she drifted off for real . When she awoke , the bed beside her was empty . Esme came in to serve her and said softly , " Lord Soren left for Broadmoor early this morning . He told me not to wake you . " Fiona merely nodded . She was used to this . He never told her when he would depart . She said not a word while Esme combed her hair . In the mirror , her face was much the same as it was three years ago . Only her eyes were different - dull , numbed by years of disappointment . Is this to be my entire life ? A lonely , neglected existence ? Everyone said Fiona had made a brilliant match by marrying Soren. Yet , if given the chance to choose again , she would never choose him . She didn't need a brilliant husband admired by the world . She only wanted a man who would not ignore her . Her days followed the same dull rhythm . After breakfast , she was expected to go and pay her respects to Penelope , Soren's mother . That morning , as she took the shortcut near the rock garden , she overheard a group of servants whispering . " I heard the Duchess Zonfrillo tried to persuade Lord Soren to take Lady Fiona with him ," one said . " But he still left alone . " " How could she go ? Haven't you heard ? Lord Soren has a woman in Broadmoor who looks remarkably like ... the Fourth Princess Consort . " Esme's face paled . She was about to scold them when Fiona raised a hand to stop her . " Let's go. " Esme bit back her protest , but Fiona had already believed enough of it . Broadmoor abounds with beauties , not to mention someone who bears a striking resemblance to that woman ; how could Soren resist ? He was young , passionate , and powerful . He would never reject such temptation . That was why he didn't want Fiona there . If the servants knew this much , then surely half the estate had already guessed . No one dared say it aloud , but the whispers were everywhere . No wonder her mother urged her to bear a child , for she feared Fiona would lose her place . A wife with no child to her name - what dignity remained in that ? Perhaps it would be better to divorce than to go on like this . 3/4 14:34 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 1 A Final Break 60 +10 Free Coins Just then , her foot slipped . She tumbled down the artificial hill , pain flaring as she hit the ground . The sharp scent of blood filled her nose . She must have struck her head . Strangely , she felt no pain , only a hazy weakness pressing in . Am I actually going to die here ? Fiona could not muster a single syllable . Compared to life itself , it didn't matter if Soren kept a mistress . If she survived , even if he took a hundred concubines , she would never utter a complaint . " Lady Fiona ! " Esme's panicked cry reached her ears . Fiona's heart clenched . Besides her husband , there were many who loved her dearly - Esme , her mother , her family . What sorrow would I leave behind if I were gone ? And then , darkness swallowed her whole .