Chapter 3

3

Before I could find more herbs, the anniversary of Rosalie's death arrived.

The legend said she died saving the High King from a demon's curse.

Because of this, her memorial service was a massive event. Almost every deity and immortal was there.

I put on a simple white dress and followed Silas to the Rose Temple.

A crowd of immortals had already gathered outside. They were all in white. When Silas arrived, they moved aside to let him through.

Suddenly, a high-pitched voice came from behind us. "Silas! I'm late!"

Rowena was wearing a bright, peach-colored dress. She looked incredibly vibrant and was smiling broadly.

People were shocked by her outfit, but when they saw her face, they gasped.

She looked exactly like the late Rose Goddess.

Rowena ignored the stares and walked up to Silas, grabbing his arm. "Let's go, Silas. Let's go pay our respects to Rosalie."

Everyone held their breath, waiting for the Alpha's rage.

But Silas just looked at her and actually smiled. "Okay."

He let Rowena lead him into the main hall.

I was left standing outside alone.

As soon as Silas was gone, the whispers started.

"I thought the Alpha was marrying his maid? Where did this 'Little Rosalie' come from?"

"The messengers must have gotten it wrong. He's clearly marrying the lookalike. It makes sense. It heals his heart."

Listening to them, I remembered my first year in the Celestial Realm. I didn't know the rules.

I wore a pale green dress on Rosalie's anniversary.

Silas had beaten me until I was covered in blood. He made me kneel in front of this temple for four hours while everyone watched.

Now, watching the two of them inside, I felt exhausted.

I ignored the judgmental stares and walked away from the crowd.

That night, Silas actually came to my room.

He walked in with a frown. "Why didn't you come inside to offer flowers? I waited for you."

I didn't look up from my book. I was searching for the recipe for the medicine.

"Rowena was there," I said flatly. "I'm just a maid. I don't have the status to offer flowers to a Goddess."

Silas started to snap at me, but my calmness stopped him. He shook his head.

He opened his palm and used his magic to reveal a shimmering wedding gown.

"I had this made. I've infused it with five hundred years of my power. It will protect you. Do you like it?"

I looked at the glowing dress and put my book down.

The tears finally fell. "Are you marrying me, or are you marrying Rowena?"

Seeing me cry made Silas panic slightly. He softened his voice to comfort me.

"Lyra, I gave you my word. I will marry you."

"Rowena is just a new immortal. She's weak, and she looks so much like Rosalie. I can't just abandon her."

He cupped my face and wiped my tears. "Once we are wed, you will be my Luna. Whatever you want, just ask. I will give it to you."

What did I want?

I laughed inwardly. All I wanted was a way to rid myself of this child so I could go home.

I looked into his eyes. "I want to go to the Sacred Garden."

The Sacred Garden had the rarest herbs. I knew I could find what I needed there.

Silas paused. "Why do you want to go there?"

After Rosalie died, Silas had spent thousands of years of his power to create a Soul Lamp to keep her spirit alive. He built the Sacred Garden just to house that lamp.

I forced a hopeful smile.

"I want our wedding to be filled with rare flowers. I want to pick some seeds."

Silas sighed in relief. "I will take you there the day before the wedding."