Chapter 14
Three days later was the Mid-Autumn Gala at the Royal Palace.
Just as our car arrived at the palace gates, Alexandra’s car pulled up as well.
Damon helped me out of the car. I looked up and saw Colton step out of Alexandra’s vehicle, dark circles under his eyes.
I’d heard the palace had granted him a medical leave of absence, citing that the Princess’s consort needed time to
recover. The commander position in the Royal Guard had been reassigned.
The King had approved it.
At this point, Colton held no official position. He was simply the Princess’s husband.
As he caught sight of me, he froze for a moment-but before he could react, a stern voice arose.
“Mr. Prescott, are you not going to help the Princess down?”
Colton’s hand clenched at his side, then loosened. He turned back without expression and extended his hand toward
Alexandra, who stepped out, regal as ever.
She smiled brightly when she saw us.
“Damon, Isla. What a pleasant coincidence-let’s head in together, shall we?”
I smiled politely, making no mention of any recent unpleasantness.
When I looked away, I caught Colton staring directly at the fading marks on my neck, half-concealed by my collar.
His pupils trembled. A mix of disbelief and something darker flickered in his eyes.
Even the earlier public embarrassment from Alexandra hadn’t shaken him, but this… this nearly unhinged him. His fists
tightened, and he stepped toward me on instinct.
But Damon moved in front of me casually, blocking his path. He was smiling, but his tone was sharp as ice: “Quite a strong sun today. Shouldn’t you be shading the Princess?”
Alexandra let out a cold laugh from the side..
“Mr. Prescott, you seem distracted. What are you staring at so intently?”
Colton finally backed off, forcing a stiff smile as he lifted the parasol behind her.
“My mistake. I wasn’t thinking.”
“Huh. Sometimes I think Deacon does a better job than you,” Alexandra added, referencing the master of servants who
handled most of her affairs.
That was a direct insult-comparing her husband to a servant in front of others. Colton’s hand trembled slightly, veins
raised, but his voice stayed even:
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“Your Highness… when do you think I’ll be allowed to resume my position?”
Alexandra gave a slow, syrupy smile.
“When you learn to behave, darling. Then we can talk about letting you back into the field.”
And “behaving,” of course, was entirely up to her interpretation.
Colton’s face paled. He followed behind them, shoulders heavy as if carrying a body rather than walking into a banquet.
At the banquet, I accidentally spilled some wine and went to change.
As I stepped into a side room, someone came in in a sudden. Before I could scream, a hand clamped over my mouth.
It was Colton.
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His eyes blazed as they zeroed in on the marks at my collarbone.
“He touched you?!” His voice trembled with barely restrained rage.
I wrenched his hand away, breathing hard.
“I’m married to him. What exactly do you think happens between a husband and wife?”
“No. No, I don’t believe it…” he muttered, shaking his head.
“You said you loved me. And Damon? A man like that-old money, blue blood, practically royalty-why would he ever marry a woman like you-?”
“A war prostitute?” I cut him off coldly. “That’s what you were going to say, right?”
He froze.
“My family was punished for a crime. That’s why I was thrown into that hell. But I was never less than human. You, Colton, are the one who disgusts me. You used my love, then climbed into royalty for power.”
Colton’s voice cracked.
“You know I love you. Since I first saw you at fifteen, there’s only ever been you. I only married the Princess so I could build a future for us.”
He grabbed my wrist.
“I still have loyal men, people I can trust. We can leave-go somewhere no one knows us. Start over.”
I pulled my hand away.
“I’m not the kind of person who runs away with a married man and leaves destruction behind.”
“You don’t love him!”
“I do.”
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“You love him?” he repeated, like the words physically hurt.
I looked him in the eye.
“Yes. I love him now.”
Colton laughed, hollow and wild.
“And me? What was I to you?”
“You’re not in my heart anymore, Colton Prescott.”
“No. No, I don’t believe you.” He lunged forward, grabbing my shoulders. I was about to shove him back when a slow,
amused laugh cut through the tension.
Alexandra stepped out from behind the door, smiling like she’d just caught a child stealing cookies.
“Looks like stripping you of your title wasn’t enough to tame your restless heart, my dear consort.”
And Damon-he was standing beside her, his ears slightly pink from who-knows-what part of our argument.
“Guards,” Alexandra said sweetly, turning away, “inform my parents that the consort is showing signs of acute mental instability. He is to officially resign from all duties and remain confined to the estate indefinitely. No visitors. No outings.”
Colton went pale.
“You’re going to destroy me.”
Alexandra caressed his cheek like a mother calming a tantrum.
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“No, darling. I love you far too much for that. But you do need to learn not to run.”
She leaned in, whispering in his ear.
“If you ever try again, I’ll break your legs myself.”
Her smile returned.
“I’d rather keep you beautiful and charming. You’re mine, Colton. And from now on, the only thing keeping you afloat… is
my love.”
He didn’t fight back.
As the guards took him away, his eyes stayed locked on mine.
I couldn’t read them. Bitterness? Desperation? Something else?
It didn’t matter anymore.
This was the end-for us.
Later, Damon told me that Alexandra had invited him to the gala because she was hoping to watch Colton and me rekindle some old spark.
Turned out it was one-sided.
On the way home, Damon’s lips were curled into a rare, smug smile.
I gave him a sidelong glance.
“What are you so happy about?”
“Nothing,” he replied far too quickly.
That night, as he wrapped me in his arms from behind, his voice was soft against my ear: “Say it again, the thing you said before… that you love me.”
