C22 Epilogue

Few days past since the dissolution of her contracted marriage. It was also been three days since she last saw the man who had served as a host for her grand counter attack plan, and whom had taken away her innocence.

Lady Francesca hadn’t waited for Lord Syford to wake up and left, running back into the manor. There she was being confronted by the prideful man, who later ended things between them, ignoring Duchess Carlotta’s plea for swallowing the shame and continue with the wedding.

Since then, the Augusts woman had rarely got out her room as if losing the will to live. Perhaps, she was having a deep remorseful moment for the grand plan she set out all these years ended up turning into dust.

That’s the thing with living up one’s life plotting against neighbors that one often overlook to find a purpose for self-growth and improvement for themselves.

Sitting at the side of her window, Lady Francesca couldn’t help but to ponder. What possibly the reason why Dynirho was not trying to reach out to her after that intimate night they’ve shared? She couldn’t stopped thinking.

Was it because, just like other men, he was already done with her after taking her purity? Or was he attending to some important matters more worthy of his attention than entertaining himself with a muse?

Ugh! Shaking her head, she got rid of the thoughts. Overthinking things aren’t helpful at all.

The young lady was taken aback her senses when Eloisa entered the room, holding a parchment of paper in her hand. It was a small note. It was the same familiar small note she also received before while in Verindale.

“Someone had sent this to you, my lady,” the handmaid had explained.

Lady Francesca received it and unfolded it to read its content.

‘Come at Great Petersburg’s Square Theatrical House at seven pm sharp, my lovely lady.

-Dynirho Syford

She could feel her heartbeats skipped in a moment. He did ran away from her at all. In fact, he was inviting her to meet him at her favorite opera house. Great! She could feel something interesting was awaiting her there.

She couldn’t wait for the time. She spent half the day wondering of what possibly could it be, until such scheduled time arrives.

Dress on her best gown, she proceeded into the said theatrical house with Eloisa. Nothing unusual as the seats were occupied by few individuals who casually dropped by to watch plays.

But such typical description applies, no longer once the curtains draws over, revealing a very familiar scene, she could never forget.

A female main lead had stolen a random horse from the stables and rushed home to see her dying father. The opening of the story can be likened on her experience. Not to mention, the horse itself resembled the same exact description of the horse she also rode before.

Then a good looking young man follows afterward, who appeared to be the horse owner; and chased after it. But he couldn’t be more upset to the woman once he caught up on her house when he realize such woman just recently lose her father.

The play continues until Lady Francesca started to feel very much related to the story line as if it was her life that was being played in front of him, only that the names of the characters were different.

And her guess confusion came to find its enlightenment when suddenly a very familiar figure of a man appeared in front, right after the play ended and the curtains were down.

Even from her distance, she could see it was Lord Dynirho of Verindale.

And she couldn’t be more surprised when he started by calling her attention.

“Lady Francesca Chandler, may I have the honor to have you join me in the stage?” he asked loudly while locking his eyes with hers.

Everyone looked at her and started making their own opinions and speculations. It was only about few days ago when her engagement broke off because of an indecent scandal with another man. Now, she was reinforcing the spotlight over her again yet again.

Left with no choice, and driven by her own personal choices, she sauntered in front as instructed.

She literally hold her breath when the earl bent his one knee and lower himself before her. Putting the open fan over face of her face, she freely smiled brightly with no reserve as her cheeks blushed into pinkish pigments.

Her chest was rising up and down unusually fast than before. She was nervous. At the same time, very much delighted. Tears of joy and happiness started to form on her eyes as shove a small black box, containing what she expected were a symbol of love and commitment.

And she was right.

Opening its lid, a 14 carat diamond ring placed between tantalizing gold band revealed. Now, Francesca couldn’t hold her tears any longer. It escape from her eyes freely like a waterfall.

She didn’t knew superb happiness such as this actually existed. She didn’t knew the idea of wedding proposal could be this romantic and heartwarming until he met him and his beautiful soul.

“Lady Francesca Chandler, love of my life, light of my darkness, and the living source of my energy, will you be kinder and more generous to make me the happiest man alive in the planet? Will you be, forever be, the woman I will wake up every morning when the sun rises in the east, and sleep with when the sun sets in the west?

She was crying hard. She was crying hard in excitement on where his question was leading them.

“You are the best thing that happens to me, despite the social turmoil we’ve raised together. I couldn’t find anyone who can best you in winning my heart. That is why, I am taking this opportunity of asking you this…

Dynirho took a deep breathe. It wasn’t long since he started taking women seriously, but he was already sure about ending his bachelor life and start a family. This woman in front of him always made him do things he normally couldn’t have perceived he was capable of doing so.

“Will you marry me?” Finally, he asked the final question.

Filled with so much joy, Lady Francesca nods her head in answer. She could barely finds her strength to speak a single word as all her energy seems to have been concentrated on filling her eyes with unending tears.

“Yes!” she finally shouted once recovered her lost voice. Such answer received an applause from the people.

Dynirho immediate got up happily and encased him in between his strong arms while putting on the ring as a sign of his love.

“Did you know why I asked you to call me on my first name before?” he asked.

She shook her head in response. She had no idea why.

Kissing her forehead, he answered.

“Only my family members call me on first name basis. And even then, I always knew you will soon become part of my family that’s why I allowed you to.”

Francesca could feel the warmth of his honest confession. After all what she had been through her life, a warm feeling like this was enough to take away all the pains of yesterday.

“I love you, Francesca...”

“I love you, Dynirho...”

Not withstanding the large audience in front, they joint their lips in unison to seal their profession of love. Genuine and sincere. Not a big deal actually as they were already both used to scandals.