The Secret Marriage Pact

Amelia was browsing through the grand library of the Blackwood estate, her fingers tracing the spines of countless books. The room was quiet, except for the faint sound of the wind outside. It was one of the few places in the mansion where she felt somewhat at ease. The overwhelming luxury and the sharp eyes of Lucas's family constantly reminded her that she didn't belong here, but the library was her sanctuary.

As she reached for a book on a high shelf, something slipped out and fluttered to the floor. Amelia bent down to pick it up, her curiosity piqued. It was an old photograph, slightly yellowed with age. She turned it over, and her breath caught in her throat.

The picture showed a younger Lucas, smiling an expression she rarely saw on his face now. He looked carefree, standing next to a woman who seemed close to his age. The woman's arm was looped around his, and her smile was radiant. They seemed happy, deeply connected.

Amelia's heart sank. Who was this woman? She couldn't recall Lucas mentioning anyone from his past, let alone someone who could make him look so... alive. The Lucas she knew was cold, guarded, and rarely showed emotion. This version of him was unrecognizable.

Amelia felt a strange mix of emotions: curiosity, jealousy, and unease. She couldn't tear her eyes away from the photograph. Was this someone he loved? Someone he still cared for? The thought stung more than she wanted to admit.

Hearing footsteps in the hallway, Amelia quickly tucked the photograph into her pocket and stepped away from the shelf. A moment later, Lucas entered the library, his sharp eyes scanning the room. "I thought I'd find you here," he said, his voice calm but guarded.

Amelia gave him a small smile. "Just exploring. This library is incredible."

Lucas nodded, his gaze lingering on her as if trying to read her thoughts. "It was my mother's favorite room," he said after a pause.

This admission surprised Amelia. Lucas rarely talked about his mother, and she didn't want to push him for more. Instead, she nodded, unsure of how to respond.

"Dinner with the family was difficult last night," Lucas said, changing the subject. "I know it wasn't easy for you."

Amelia shrugged. "I survived. Your family isn't exactly warm, but I'm learning to manage."

A faint smirk appeared on Lucas's face. "You're tougher than I thought."

Amelia felt her cheeks warm under his gaze. She quickly changed the subject. "Do you come here often? To the library, I mean."

Lucas's expression shifted, becoming more guarded. "Not as much as I used to. Too many memories."

His words hung in the air, and Amelia felt the weight of the photograph in her pocket. She hesitated, debating whether to bring it up. But before she could decide, Lucas turned to leave. "Let me know if you need anything," he said over his shoulder.

Once he was gone, Amelia pulled out the photograph again. She studied it closely, her mind racing with questions. Who was this woman? And why did Lucas keep this photograph hidden?

Determined to find answers, Amelia decided to search for clues. She started by carefully examining the back of the photo. There was a faint handwritten note: "To L, with all my love. C."

The words sent a chill down her spine. This wasn't just any woman; she was someone important to Lucas. Someone who had loved him deeply.

Later that day, Amelia found herself in the kitchen, where she often chatted with the staff. She decided to ask one of the older maids, Mrs. Harris, about the photograph. Mrs. Harris had been working at the estate for decades and seemed to know everything about the Blackwood family.

"Mrs. Harris," Amelia began cautiously, "I found an old photograph in the library. It's of Lucas and a woman. Do you know who she might be?"

Mrs. Harris froze for a moment, her face betraying a flicker of surprise. She quickly composed herself and said, "That would be Clara. She and Mr. Lucas were... close, a long time ago."

"What happened to her?" Amelia asked, her curiosity intensifying.

Mrs. Harris hesitated, clearly uncomfortable. "It's not my place to say, Mrs. Blackwood. But she left under difficult circumstances. It was a painful time for Mr. Lucas."

Amelia wanted to press for more details, but she could see Mrs. Harris wouldn't say anything further. "Thank you," she said quietly, retreating to her room with more questions than answers.

That evening, Amelia couldn't stop thinking about Clara. The photograph, the handwritten note, Mrs. Harris's vague explanation it all painted a picture of a complicated and emotional chapter in Lucas's life. She wondered if Clara was the reason Lucas had built such high walls around himself.

As she sat by the window, lost in thought, Lucas walked into the room. He paused when he saw her expression. "What's on your mind?" he asked, his tone softer than usual.

Amelia hesitated, then decided to be honest. "I found something in the library today. A photograph."

Lucas's eyes narrowed slightly, his posture tensing. "What photograph?"

Amelia stood and retrieved the picture from her pocket. She held it out to him, watching his reaction closely. Lucas's face darkened as he took the photograph, his jaw tightening.

"Where did you find this?" he asked, his voice low.

"In one of the books," Amelia said. "I didn't mean to pry, but..."

Lucas cut her off, his tone sharp. "This is none of your concern, Amelia."

His reaction stung, but Amelia refused to back down. "It's hard not to be curious when you're married to someone who keeps so many secrets."

Lucas's eyes met hers, and for a moment, she thought he might lash out. But instead, he sighed and looked away. "Clara was... someone I cared about. A long time ago."

"What happened to her?" Amelia asked gently.

Lucas's expression hardened again. "She's gone. That's all you need to know."

The conversation ended there, but it left Amelia feeling even more unsettled. Lucas's reaction confirmed that Clara had been a significant part of his life, and her absence had left a deep scar. Amelia couldn't help but wonder if Lucas still carried feelings for her, and what that meant for their arrangement.

As Lucas left the room, the photograph still in his hand, Amelia felt a pang of sadness. She had started to see glimpses of vulnerability in Lucas, but his past seemed to be a barrier neither of them could cross.

That night, as she lay in bed, Amelia made a silent vow. If she was going to stay in this marriage, even as a pact, she needed to understand Lucas not just the man he was now, but the man he had been before. Only then could she hope to find her place in his life.

As she closed her eyes, a knock at the door startled her. She opened it to find a small envelope with no name on it, the wax seal bearing the insignia she had seen only once before Lucas's family crest. Inside was a single line of text: "Some truths are better left hidden, but you're not the only one with secrets."

Her heart skipped a beat.