Chapter 1
I was the Crown Princess–handpicked by His Majesty himself.
But on the night of the Spring Ball, Prince Edward became the talk of the court… all because Lady Rowena of House Southwell, daughter of the famed Lord General, openly confessed her love for him In front of everyone.
Rowena was nothing like the well–mannered noble ladies of Eboncourt. Born to a family of generals, she had grown up on horseback rather than in silk–draped parlors.
She trained with the bow alongside her brothers, raced stallions across riverbanks, and drank firewine with the sw free–she was everything Prince Edward’s eyes couldn’t turn away from.
of a soldier, Fierce, reckless, and
And yet, he said to me once, “A woman so unrestrained how could she possibly tend to hearth and home, raise children, or bring order to a household?”
He said he didn’t like her brazenness.
But his eyes? They never left her.
On the Prince’s birthday, he showed his affection to Rowena
But Bowena laughed in his face.
*The women of House Southwell do not live in a man’s shadow. If I marry, it will be as his wife–and his only.”
That same day, Prince Edward came to me,
“Cecilia,” he said besitantly, “it’s just a title. Could you step aside for her? She doesn’t understand how things work at court. She’s being impulsive, insisting on being named my future princess. Just humor her, all right? You’ll still be the one in charge at the Crown Prince’s Manor.”
I was embroidering the bridal veil when he said it.
The silk needle slipped and pricked my finger. A drop of blood bled out onto the silken swans I had just finished stitching.
The vell was ruined.
And deep down… I knew this marriage was, too.
“Lady Cecilia Prince Edward is here!” Dalsy burst into the room, her face lit with excitement. Prince Edward had come to see me personally–that was no small thing
Before I could even rise, he was already striding in.
Jus! like always, he looked at me with that same gentle gaze
“Cecilia,” he said, “you shouldn’t wear yourself out over this. Let one of the maids finish the veil. You’ll strain your eyes and won’t look your best come the wedding.”
I looked at him, confused.
He shouldn’t be here today.
Not when Lady Rowena had been planning her birthday celebration for weeks–hosting a grand gathering at her family’s equestrian grounds, inviting every noble daughter and young heir in the city. Edward had promised her he’d attend
So why was be here with me?
I raised my eyes to meet his. For a second, his gaze faltered. Then he cleared his throat and said, “I came because there’s something I need to discuss. He hesitated.
Then in a low voice, he said, “Rowena won’t be a man’s afterthought. So I’ve decided… I’ll name her my future bride.”
MY ALS TOP.
He went on, “Cecilia, please. It’s just a name. Couldn’t you yield–just this once? She’s young, impulsive, Insisting on being named my future princess. Once she’s in the palace, you’ll still run the household. You’ll always hold my trust.
The weight in any chest finally dropped
And shattered into sh
I looked up at him. “Your Highness… are you asking me to become your mistress?”
Edward frowned. “Cecilia, you were raised to be queen. You know titles are smoke and mirrors. Don’t lower yourself with jealousy like some baron’s daughter.”
“It’s just a name, just something that sounds nice. Why are you making a fuss?”
I’ve
“You’ve always been the sensible one. Don’t throw a tantrum like she does. I love how well–read you are, how composed and graceful. That’s why I‘ always favored you.”
Η
He smiled faintly. “Today is Rowena’s birthday. Making her Crown Princess is my final gift to her.”
My fingers clenched. The embroidery needle pierced my skin again, deeper this time. Blood…welled from my fingertip and fell onto the silk veil, staining the stitched eve of a swan in red.
Daisy let out a sharp gasp, “My lady! The veil–it’s stained with blood!”
The fog in my mind finally cleared.
Yet Edward was gone.
1 looked down at the ruined vell and tossed it onto the floor.
“Help me dress,” I said coldly. “I’m going to the palace. I want an audience with Her Majesty the
The Queen’s chambers were quiet and still.
Her Majesty lo
looked at me in disbellel “Cecilia… what did you just say?”
the Queen.”
I sank to my knees on the marble floor and lifted my gaze to meet hers, steady and unflinching,
“Your Majesty,” I said, voice steady, “Prince Edward’s affections lie with Lady Rowena. She refuses to play second to any woman, And now…. His Highness means to name her his bride,”
