Derek
"Give Dorian to me and I'll accept you as my sister."
Estrella isn't entirely wrong. She is right in a way. If you're in love with someone you want them by all means. No boundary is visible nor is recognised. Love is selfish.
I love Melody and I want her only for myself. I don't care who she chooses for herself nor do I care who the goddess has paired her with. I also do not care who the goddess has brought to me as a second chance.
All I want is Melody and I don't care if the skies have to fall down just to help me get her, I just want her and my kids and I will not be at rest until it happens.
Everyone might judge Estrella for being selfish but I can relate with her reasoning. True love makes you selfish.
Now I know why I was temporarily attached to Estrella when we first met, it's all because we have several similarities.
We are selfish in love.
I am selfishly in love with Melody and I'm not ashamed. In fact, I'm proud.
I know that I have wronged and hurt her beyond Imagining but I don't mind if I have to grovel at her feet for her to forgive me.
I don't care if she sets a condition for me to fulfil before she gives me another chance. I am willing to set my position as king aside and humble myself before her.
"You love me too, Dorian," Estrella screamed. Her loud voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "You're just afraid to admit it. You're just scared that you might be accused of incest but...." She paused. "....Now you're free. We aren't related." She cupped Dorian's cheek. "You aren't my brother and neither am I your sister. So nothing should stop us from being together." Estrella explained.
Her voice was full of pain and hope.
Dorian flinched as soon as Estrella touched him. He stared at her hand in shock but reverted his gaze immediately before directing it to Melody.
"Why?" Estrella continued, her eyes escorting Dorian's gaze. "Why did you choose her when you are in love with me? Why do you want to be with her when I'm your first mate."
"Second," Dorian corrected.
His eyes widened and he looked at Melody as he seemed to realize what he just said.
"So you do agree that I was your second chance mate back then," Estrella shook her head and tears strolled down her cheek. "Yet you ignored the bond and left me shattered. You made me commit such a huge blunder of giving myself to that old hag."
She sounded bitter as she mentioned the past. Though she was sad about this, it was understandable. I wonder why she sounds as if this is Dorian's fault.
Is there something involved that we do not know about?
Why would Estrella sound aggrieved when she and only she is to blame for the mistake she made?
"I ignored the bond because it wasn't right." Dorian turned away from her. His eyes were deep with emotion. "It wasn't right then, it still isn't right now."
Estrella was desperate and didn't seem like she would relent.
"I agree that it wasn't right back then because I thought we were related and even though you knew that we weren't related, you played dumb and let it all play out this way," Estrella's were now on Melody.
"But now that it's all out in the open and everyone knows that we aren't related, why won't you still accept the bond?"
Now I'm irritated by her continuous ranting. She keeps repeating the same thing.
Malcolm returned to the study after taking Giovanni to his room. He looked from Dorian to Estrella before settling his gaze on Melody.
"Stop this, Estrella. Enough!" Dorian barked.
He didn't seem to like all that Estrella was saying.
"Why?" Estrella stubbornly retorts. "Why should I stop? I kept mum all these years because I didn't want to force you into committing incest, but now nothing should stop you from accepting me because I am your mate."
Dorian shook his head in disapproval before pointing at me.
"No. I am not your mate, Derek is." Dorian argued. "Accept your bond with Derek and let things be just as they are now." He placed his hand on Estrella's shoulder as if to reason with her.
"I love Melody and she's the one I choose to be with."
Dorian's blatant response had Estrella floored. She looked like she was seeing a ghost. It felt as if she was in a dream.
Honestly, those words also struck a chord in my heart. Even though I've heard those words several times, it hurts to see that Dorian's affection for Melody is unwavering. He is determined to be with her regardless of all the protests.
"I...You...." Estrella stuttered. She was lost for words.
She looked at Dorian and more tears trickled down her cheek.
"Believe me, Estrella, I love Melody regardless of the bond we share," Dorian repeated.
He went close to Estrella and brought her into his arms as he consoled her.
"I adore you because you are my sister and now you're Melody's sister, so I shall care for you even more."
His voice was soft and coarsening as he spoke to Estrella. He spoke to her as if she was a child.
"I....."
Estrella tried to speak but her tears poured before she could.
"Derek is a nice man. He'll take care of you just as I would."
My head banged as soon as Dorian said that. How could he pair me with this childish and spoiled brat while he keeps the mature and smart Melody for himself?
How selfish!
"How can I be with Derek when I'm in love with you?" Estrella asked, eyes locked on Dorian.
"You'll learn to love him just as I did after Malia's death."
Estrella cried and hugged Dorian while he pampered her and whispered consoling words to her.
Melody and Malcolm stood on the side and watched the scene unfold.
"No one can be like you." She muttered.
Dorian directed his gaze to Melody and a smile escaped his lips.
"I thought so too after Malia's death but Melody's arrival changed that."