Charles and Edeline had just gotten married.
Both sat in silence inside their new room, neither looking at the other. The air was heavy with sorrow and frustration. Edeline sat at the edge of the bed, stiff and upset. Charles, across the room, slouched on the sofa, his head in his hands, gripping his hair in frustration.
"Charles," Edeline finally broke the silence, her voice soft and tired. "Did you know this was going to happen?"
Charles didn't look up. "No," he muttered. "I didn't know."
Edeline took a deep breath. "Your sister, Cassandra… she's going to be married to Edward when she turns eighteen."
"What?" Charles's head jerked up, his eyes narrowing. "But Edward is much older than her."
"I told Lady Helena," Edeline said, her voice trembling, "but she didn't care…"
Charles's hands curled into fists. Anger surged through him, and without warning, he grabbed the glass from the table and hurled it against the wall. It shattered loudly, pieces scattering across the floor.
