Villains also get Second chance

Marianne pov contd

"Marianne. I love you. I know that I have made mistakes but so have you. I promise to love and cherish you in future." he said as he held my hand, my fingers quivered a bit, as he added that ring on my fingers.

I looked at him and then at the others who were giving a round of applause. My mother was smiling with tears in her eyes. My brother who was looking at me intensely and last but not the least Isabella who was seething in anger. 

I smiled as he took me into his arms and soon the game continued. The music started again, and this time it stopped on Jamie. I looked at him as i asked, "would you get married just for the sake of it or would you rather like to fall in love and then marry with someone whom you cherish all your life?'' I asked and he blinked, even Charles looked at him as if waiting for his reply seriously.

"I have never thought about it seriously.. I would do things that would be in favour of my family." he said, shrugging his shoulders.

I wanted to ask further but I didn't. Charles smiled and patted his shoulders as if it was his indirect acceptance to his marriage with Diana.

The music started again and this time it stopped on Isabella. She looked straight at me and I smiled "I am very curious about what you have gifted me. '' I just want your permission to open the girl in front of everyone.'' I said and she looked at me with confusion but nodded, since it was not a big deal for her.

I looked at Lina who nodded and moved to bring a gift box, it was hers. I looked back at her as if asking her to give her permission and she nodded.

I opened the box but it had letters not the jewels as she had expected. She looked at the box with confusion and so did others.

"Oh.. have you written letters for our good future.'' I asked with a smile and she shook her head but I did not let her speak further.

"Oh. .that so thoughtful lady Isabella. Let me read a letter to tell everyone how caring you are towards us. I always thought there was still a difference between us due to the last argument. But you proved me wrong. I apologise for my judgemental behavior." I said as I opened the letter with a grateful face.

"But.." 

"That is very kind of you, Lady Isabella" said Cassius, silencing her, and she could only smile and nod.

"My dear Cassius, 

I have loved you from the time I first met you. I was not able to profess my love for you at that time because you proposed to my sister. But now that she has died, I am very happy about it. I can finally be with you legally. I am waiting for you ro come and ask for my hand. Please do not disappoint me this time.

Yours only

Isabella Wiltshire" 

My eyes widened and my hands covered my shocked mouth. Then I skimmed the box and took out another letter. This time my voice was filled with anger as I started reading it.

"My dear Cassius,

I know that you marry Marianne, just because you love her. There were no emotions in that relationship. My heart bleeds for you when I see you suffering alone. Please give me a chance to be with you and end all your sufferings. I don't even care who your wife is. I just want to make you happy and fill you with my love. Hope you will give me a chance to love you back

Your only

Isabella Wiltshire'' i glared at her with anger filled eyes. Her face had turned white long ago as she shook her head.

"No, that is not me. I have not written those letters. It is not mine. Someone has played a prank or someone is trying to malign me." she shouted as she shook her head.

She walked forward and tried to snatch the box from my hands while I pulled towards myself. Roselia stood in the middle of us to keep her away from me.

"If you think there is a mistake. I want to believe you. But the words are too provoking so I want proof before making any decision. Have any of you ever received a letter from lady Isabella? Can anyone help in recognising her handwriting?" I asked , trying to wipe my tears as I acted like a pathetic voice.

Many nobles raised their hands as she had written letters to one or another for inviting them to parties or for other reasons. Roselia moved and passed letters to many and most of them bowed their heads after reading the letters.

"No, someone had forged my handwriting. These are not my letters. There is no seal of my name in them." she said confidently and I glared at her again.

"What are you saying lady Isabella. I am feeling ashamed to even call you a lady. There is your personal seal in every letter. See, here it is' 'I said as I forwarded her a letter. She looked at them with wide eyes and soon the commotion took place. All the nobles started talking about it and soon the crowd increased.

Isabella's parents who were talking to the emperor heard the chaos and moved towards us too.

"No, this can not be possible. Cassius, why don't you explain to them. Things are not like the way it seems.." she pleaded as she moved towards him but he looked at me and hugged me. He slowly rubbed my back as if trying to soothe my anger and tears.

"I did not know about the letter, Marianne. And trust me I never looked at the young lady of Wiltshire with any other feeling except a sister." he said as if he was afraid that i would announce him guilty too.