Chapter 30: The Distance Between Us
The ballroom had long emptied, its chandeliers still casting cold, glittering light over the empty dance floor. Servants moved quietly, clearing away the remnants of the grand 16th birthday celebration. The echoes of laughter and music had faded, replaced now by tension that clung to the marble walls like mist.
The Grand Duke stood at the edge of the ballroom, his jaw clenched, his wine untouched.
The Grand Duchess was already striding through the corridors, her silk gown whispering with every furious step. "I can't believe what he did. In front of everyone."
"Cassia—" the Grand Duke called, walking swiftly behind her. "Cassia, stop. Don't go barging into his room like this."
She didn't listen.
"He humiliated us! Do you realize how they'll talk?" she snapped, her heels striking like hammers on the floor. "He poured wine on that girl's face. Our guest. The daughter of a noble house. She's done nothing but try to love him."
The Grand Duke frowned. "You're upset. I understand. But that's still no excuse to push him into a marriage he clearly doesn't want."
"He's our only son," she spat, turning on him. "He's not normal. Cold, silent, unreachable—he barely speaks unless spoken to. And when he does, it's with a sharp tongue and dead eyes. He doesn't care about me. About us."
The Grand Duke's voice was calm, but firm. "He still treats us as his parents. You know that."
"Does he?" she whispered, almost to herself. "He barely looks at me. Do you remember how warm he used to be when he was little? Now I feel like I don't even know him anymore."
The Grand Duke paused, his expression heavy.
"Maybe… maybe you just don't want to know the boy he's become."
Her eyes narrowed. "He should have listened. I chose a girl who truly cares for him. And he—he threw it in my face."
"You should have let him choose for himself," the Grand Duke said quietly.
She turned away from him. "No. He's the one who ruined everything."
They stood before Sirius's chambers now. A quiet hallway of marble and moonlight, untouched and rarely visited. The door stood like a sentinel—dark, plain, and utterly closed.
For years, Sirius had kept it locked. Even servants weren't allowed inside. He cleaned the room himself, with magic, and never gave reason or explanation. They had long since stopped asking.
"I told you not to force this," the Grand Duke murmured.
But she was already reaching for the handle.
"Cassia—" he warned again, stepping forward.
She didn't hesitate.
Her hand closed around the doorknob.
And she pushed it open.