Betrayed by First Love

The carriage wheels crunched over the gravel path as we approached the capital after three long years. Dust clung to the windows, a reminder of the harsh frontier lands I'd left behind. My fingers traced the scar running down my forearm—a souvenir from the battle of Blackwater Ridge. Three years of bloodshed, of commanding troops against enemies who'd threatened our kingdom's borders. Three years away from home... away from Dominic.

"General Scott," my aide called from outside, "we've arrived at the city gates."

I straightened my uniform, adjusting the row of medals pinned to my chest. Each one represented a victory, a life saved, a battle won. But none of that mattered now. All that mattered was seeing Dominic again.

"Thank you, Lieutenant," I replied, my voice steady despite the flutter in my chest. "Let's proceed to my father's estate."

The capital looked exactly as I remembered it—majestic buildings with gleaming spires, carriages streaming through cobblestone streets. Yet something felt different. Perhaps it was me who had changed.

"General," the driver said as we pulled up to the Scott estate, "welcome home."

Home. Such a simple word for a place I'd barely seen in years.

I stepped out, my boots clicking against the stone pathway. The familiar oak doors of my father's mansion loomed before me, but something was wrong. The household staff stood rigidly at attention, their expressions carefully blank.

"Where is my father?" I asked the butler who greeted me with a stiff bow.

"In the study, General," he replied, unable to meet my eyes.

As I walked through the halls of my childhood home, I noticed the whispers, the averted gazes. The house felt colder than I remembered.

"Is everything alright?" I asked a maid who dropped her gaze when I approached.

"Fine, General," she murmured, hurrying away.

My father received me with formal courtesy rather than warmth. "Nina," he said, rising from behind his desk. "You've returned."

No embrace. No questions about my well-being. Just those distant words.

"I expected Mother would have prepared for my arrival," I said carefully. "The staff seems... unsettled."

Something flickered across his face—discomfort? Guilt? "There have been changes since you left."

Before I could press further, an invitation arrived. The royal court was hosting a reception in my honor, celebrating my military victories. I accepted immediately, knowing Dominic would be there.

---

The grand ballroom glittered with candlelight, nobles in their finest attire mingling beneath crystal chandeliers. I stood tall in my dress uniform, the medals catching the light as I moved through the crowd.

"Nina Scott," a voice called out—Marcus Thornfield, Dominic's closest advisor. "The hero of the frontier returns."

I smiled, scanning the room for Dominic. "Just doing my duty, Marcus."

"Prince Dominic requested I bring you to him when you arrived," he said, gesturing toward the center of the ballroom.

My heart leapt. Finally.

But as Marcus led me forward, I noticed the strange hush falling over the crowd. Conversations died mid-sentence as I passed.

The court herald stepped forward, his voice ringing through the sudden silence. "Attention, honored guests! Prince Dominic Pierce requests your attention for an important announcement."

I froze, my breath catching in my throat.

"It is with great pleasure that His Royal Highness announces his engagement to Miss Kayla Scott."

The world tilted beneath my feet. Kayla? My half-sister?

Through the roaring in my ears, I heard gasps and murmurs ripple through the crowd. Then I saw them—Dominic standing proudly beside Kayla, her hand possessively on his arm.

Kayla's eyes met mine across the room, a smug smile curving her lips as she curtseyed to the crowd.

I stood motionless, my face burning with humiliation as hundreds of eyes turned to watch my reaction. The medals on my chest suddenly felt heavy, like anchors dragging me down.

---

I found him in the palace gardens later that night, standing beneath the old oak tree where we'd carved our initials as children.

"Dominic," I whispered, my voice breaking. "What is happening?"

He turned slowly, his face a mask of polite indifference. Gone was the warmth I remembered, the boy who'd promised to wait for me.

"Nina," he acknowledged coldly. "I'm afraid I don't know what you mean."

"The engagement," I said, stepping closer. "To Kayla. What about us? Our plans? The future we talked about?"

Something flickered in his eyes—recognition, perhaps even regret—but it vanished quickly.

"I'm sorry," he said, his voice detached. "I suffered an accident recently. A riding accident that resulted in... amnesia."

"Amnesia?" I echoed, disbelief washing over me.

"I don't remember any plans between us," he continued, each word a dagger to my heart. "Any promises or... childhood bonds."

I reached for his arm, desperate to break through this cruel facade. "Dominic, please—"

He stepped back, his expression hardening. "Miss Scott, I believe you're confused. My future is with Kayla now."

As he turned and walked away, leaving me alone in the moonlit garden, I felt something inside me shatter—the last remnants of the girl who'd believed in fairy tales and forever promises.