Chapter 2

3

After returning home, I wrote a letter to my father and sent it via the fastest messenger.

My maid, Jade, stomped into the room, looking furious.

"My Lady, that brute actually dared to betray you like that!"

Her anger made the lingering sadness in my heart disappear.

I am the Princess. If I wanted to, I could still force him to be my mate.

But I don't want him anymore.

It doesn't matter if he threw me away.

In the end, I won't be the one regretting this.

"It's fine. It was just a waste of time. Pack the bags. We are going back to the Royal City."

Jade's mouth twitched as if she wanted to say more, but she was called away by a guard.

I poured myself a glass of wine and wondered where I had gone wrong.

I didn't even notice the sun going down until it was pitch black outside.

Suddenly, the courtyard became loud and chaotic.

Silas had arrived.

"Vivienne! I told you to stay inside no matter what happened at the estate. Why didn't you listen?"

Silas didn't see the coldness on my face. He started with an accusation.

Yesterday at dawn, his servant had brought me a note.

Silas had promised to take me out of the city once the sun set.

I was so happy. I even picked out my most beautiful dress for the occasion.

I thought we were going to watch the stars, but he had arranged a massive firework display instead.

Under the blooming lights, he told me that once we moved to the Royal City, he would light up the whole sky for me.

He promised the entire world would know how much he cherished me.

I was so moved I cried.

I took every word he said to heart.

If it weren't for my father's letter, I wouldn't have gone to interrupt his ceremony today.

I never imagined that the romantic night he gave me was just a distraction so he could offer a dowry to someone else.

The thought made me smile bitterly.

Silas really was full of surprises.

Seeing his aggressive stance, Jade stepped forward to kick him out.

I raised my hand to stop her. After taking a sip of wine, I sneered.

"So, a few fireworks were supposed to make me okay with being your mistress?"

"No! I would never make you a mistress. That's just... temporary."

Silas stepped forward in a panic, but I kicked him squarely in the chest to keep him back.

"Silas, I'm not an idiot. You trampled my dignity into the dirt today."

"For years, I gave you everything you ever asked for. And yet, you lied to me about something this big."

"I can't reach the Royal City with my current rank. I need the High Elder's influence to go further. I'm doing this for us!"

I had heard those excuses a thousand times in the Royal Court.

Hearing them from him now just made me feel sick.

He didn't want to work hard; he wanted to climb up using a woman's skirt.

He thinks marrying Seraphina will get him a promotion from my father.

If I told him right now that I am the Princess, would he fall to his knees and beg?

The image made me shiver with disgust.

Never mind.

He isn't worth another second of my time.

Silas took my silence as a sign of weakness. He tried to pull me into his arms like he always did.

I flipped him onto the floor before he could even touch my sleeve.

"Keep your distance. You're a married man now. Don't ruin my reputation with your wandering hands."

Silas completely misunderstood my words. He thought I was just jealous.

The panic left his face, replaced by a smug grin.

"Once I've settled in, the position of Luna will be yours."

"But right now, I need you to do me one favor. Otherwise, all my hard work will be for nothing."