Chapter 1

I was the last person to find out that Silas Sterling had become a father.

On the day I heard the news, I was preparing to climb over the garden wall to sneak back into the Sterling Estate.

A few servants hurried past, and I accidentally caught their hushed whispers. "The young General gave strict orders. Keep this a secret for now. If Miss Lyra finds out, she'll never let it go."

My heart hammered against my ribs, and I nearly lost my footing on the stone ledge.

I had been in love with Silas since we were kids, waiting for him faithfully for years.

Two years ago, he made me a promise. "Once you turn eighteen, I'll ask my father for your hand in marriage."

But now, this news felt like a cruel joke.

I packed my bags and wrote a letter to the elders. I decided to accept the marriage proposal from a young knight who had recently shown interest in me.

From this moment on, I, Lyra Vance, would never waste another second of my life on Silas Sterling.

1.

"Silas, do you really think you can keep this a secret? Lyra has lived in this manor since she was a child. There's no way she won't notice."

Hearing that teasing voice, I couldn't help but peek toward the veranda. Standing next to Silas was Alistair Vance, the son of the Secretary of State.

Silas merely gave a faint smile and took a sip of his tea, looking perfectly composed.

"She's always had a stubborn streak, always waving swords and daggers around. If she found out, she'd turn this whole estate upside down," Silas said nonchalantly.

My footsteps faltered outside the hallway. A wave of bitterness washed over me.

Silas knew better than anyone that I would chase away any woman who dared to get close to him.

Once, he had shared a few extra words with a socialite, and I had grilled him in the main hall for hours after we returned home.

Back then, he had only laughed helplessly and didn't blame me at all.

As I stood there dazed, a soft laugh echoed from the other end of the corridor.

Alistair narrowed his eyes and looked at Silas with a playful grin. "Look, your wife and the future little General are here. You're a lucky man."

I turned my head. A woman with a refined and elegant face was walking toward them. It was Clarissa Montgomery, the eldest daughter of Duke Montgomery.

She was my childhood playmate, and she used to visit frequently when I first moved into the Sterling Estate.

Her maid walked over, carrying a baby, and smilingly handed the child into her arms.

The moment Silas saw them, he stepped forward. He tenderly took the baby and lowered his head to whisper sweet nothings, his eyes overflowing with affection.

I instinctively took a step back.

It was actually Clarissa Montgomery?

Clarissa approached with a gentle smile. "Mr. Vance must be joking. I only heard there were guests at the manor and came to say hello."

Before she could finish, Silas was already looking at her with a rare tenderness. "There's no need to be modest, Clarissa. Our relationship will be made public sooner or later."

I stood frozen in place. I wanted to scream at Silas, but I didn't even know where to start.

Silas had only given me a verbal promise. He had never made a public statement, let alone formally proposed.

The hope he had given me was nothing but a hollow dream.

"Don't you plan on explaining things to Miss Vance? She's been devoted to you for years."

"There's no need. She's just my adopted sister. She only lives here because her father entrusted her to mine. From the very beginning, the only one in my heart has been Clarissa."