Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1803

But Blossom had never been academically gifted, nor did she have any interest in digging up dirt. She couldn't pass the exams, and she didn't want to.

It caused a massive rift with her parents, leaving her thoroughly depressed for months.

Lancelot saw her struggling and, without a word of complaint, enrolled in the archaeology program himself to appease her disappointed parents.

His sacrifice made Folly and Hollis ecstatic, which in turn took the pressure off Blossom.

Over the years, Lancelot had never formally confessed his feelings, but every single action he took screamed of his love for her.

The only problem was... Blossom was completely oblivious.

Perhaps they were just too familiar. She saw him as a brother.

She would fight tooth and nail for Lancelot, even die for him, but she simply wasn't in love with him.

Whenever Winona and Elysia discussed it privately, they couldn't help but sigh in pity.

It was a classic romantic tragedy—the childhood best friend rarely beat out the thrilling newcomer.

Nibbling on her pastry, Winona carefully tested the waters.

"Blossom, do you really not feel any romantic spark with Lancelot at all?"

Blossom shot back, "Does your left hand feel a romantic spark with your right?"

Winona paused. "...I just think he's a really great guy."

Elysia agreed. "He really is. He's practically flawless. If you decided to be with him, I'd fully support it."

"I'd back you too," Winona nodded.

Blossom immediately bristled.

"You two better not betray me! We're supposed to be a united front. You can't join Folly and Hollis's side!"

"I'm in love with Axel, and I refuse to marry anyone else!"

Elysia gently tried to manage her expectations.

"What if Axel doesn't want to settle down?"

Blossom slumped, looking utterly heartbroken.

"Then I'll just cry my eyes out. And if the crying doesn't take me out, I guess I'll die a lonely spinster!"

Elysia and Winona exchanged helpless looks.

...

Later that afternoon, as the party wound down, Blossom had fully intended to ride back with Elysia.

But as they stepped out of the venue, Lancelot was waiting by the entrance.

Elysia sighed.

"She's not interested in Lancelot. She's holding out for Axel. Speaking of which, when is he finally getting back? Didn't you say he was returning for the holidays?"

Tarquin nodded slowly.

"He should be back in the next couple of days. I'll check in with him tonight."

Pausing for a moment, Tarquin looked at Elysia with rare earnestness.

"Axel doesn't have the same advantages as Lancelot. He has no family to advocate for him. Since you're the closest thing he has to a sister, do me a favor and put in a good word for him with Blossom's parents."

Tarquin had specifically mentioned her parents, not Blossom herself.

After all, dating was between two people, but marriage meant joining two families.

No matter how deeply Blossom felt for Axel, if Folly and Hollis fiercely opposed the union, a happily-ever-after was practically impossible.

Elysia studied Tarquin's expression.

"You've never actually given me the full story on Axel's background."

"Blossom jokes that he's as cold as ice, but honestly, he's even more guarded than that!"

"What exactly did he go through to end up this way?"