But after seizing one opportunity, she had managed to lose everything else.
I didn’t answer her question. Instead, I said softly, “You are missing a child.te that large needs an heir.”
Eva’s eyes lit up. I knew she understood.
12
Prince Adrian was due to arrive in a few days. The de Valois estate was decorated with lanterns and banners, more festive than for
the New Year. And into this joyous atmosphere walked Julian, with the Marquis of Blackwood in tow.
The Marquis looked haggard, his once–imposing figure now seeming somewhat stooped. I remembered Isabelle’s letters mentioni- ng his recurring injúries, which even the royal physicians couldn’t heal. He would never return to the battlefield.
The Marquis’s posture was one of extreme humility. As soon as he entered, he kicked Julian in the back of the knees, forcing him
to the ground.
“Lord de Valois, it was my worthless son who was ignorant and foolish in the past. I have brought him here today to atone.”
Julian, without a word, touched his forehead to the ground and performed three deep kowtows. For a man as proud as him, this
must have been the first time he had ever so thoroughly humbled himself.
The Marquis then looked at me, his eyes assessing. “Seraphina has grown up! I hear your grandparents treated you well, but Lyria is
not the capital. Your parents must be reluctant to let you leave again.”
I offered the Marquis a dignified curtsy, said nothing, and retreated behind my father.
The Marquis, slightly embarrassed, tried to smooth things over. “The upbringing of the de Valois house is truly excellent. I wonder
which family will have the good fortune to marry such a fine young lady!”
My father didn’t take the bait. He smiled, invited the Marquis to sit, and began to chat about recent court affairs.
Three cups of tea later, my father was still going strong. Julian, however, was clearly uncomfortable kneeling on the hard floor. He
shifted his weight, his hands slowly clenching into fists. Apart from ceremonies in the ancestral hall, he had never knelt for so long
Humiliation began to creep into his expression.
The Marquis glanced at his impatient son, then at me, standing demurely behind my father. He sighed and interrupted my father’s
discourse.
“Lord de Valois, I have come today with a rather… difficult request.”
My father chuckled. “If it is a difficult request, then perhaps it is best not said,”
The Marquis was clearly not expecting my father to be so blunt, to dismantle the very steps he was trying to build. He had no choi-
ce but to push forward.
*Julian truly knows he was wrong. It’s been so many years, let us let it pass. Seraphina is not young anymore…perhaps.. perhaps…*
He struggled with the words, then finally forced them out. “Perhaps we could have Seraphina marry Julian.”
“Julian’s previous marriage will not count. Seraphina’s betrothal was first; she is the true, original wife. As for Lady Eva, I will have
her sent to a country villa. I will ensure she never appears before Seraphina to be an eyesore.”
Cupter 2
20:44 W
My father’s smile vanished. He slammed his teacup to the ground.
“Marquis of Blackwood, what a fine scheme! Was humiliating my house once not enough?”
“Three years ago, my perfectly good daughter had her engagement broken by your son, her reputation ruined. And now you have the gall to come to my door and ask for her hand again?”
“I advise you to abandon this notion! Even if my daughter never marries, the House of de Valois is
for the rest of her lifel
more than willing to support her
13
Julian shot to his feet.
He ignored my father’s refusal and directed his fury at me. I have already apologized! What more do you want? I have promised you a grand wedding! Why must you make things so difficult? You will marry me sooner or later. This childishness will only harm
the bond between usi
