Chapter 2

2.

I dragged my heavy steps toward the peach tree in the garden.

During my first year at the Sterling Estate, Alaric and I had planted this tree together.

Back then, the Beaumonts were accused of treason, and my family was erased. Alaric had risked everything to save my life, though he couldn't stop me from being sent to the red-light district.

He told me to wait for him with bloodshot eyes, and eventually, he brought me here.

But as the daughter of a disgraced family, I could never have a real title.

Alaric was afraid I would be bitter, so he transplanted this tree from my childhood home to make me feel better.

As I cried, he would kiss my tears away. "Lyra, in my eyes, you are a blossom that will never fall from the branch."

Even though I had no official status, he ordered every servant to treat me like the lady of the house.

He once truly made this place feel like home.

Now, the tree was nothing but dead branches in the freezing wind. I used my bare hands to dig into the frozen dirt, burying the blood-stained cloth that held my lost child.

As my tears hit the soil, I forced a smile. "Maybe it's better this way. You don't have to grow up with a father who doesn't love your mother."

The memory of the horse's hooves crushing my stomach returned. I felt a wave of nausea and turned away to gag.

When I looked up, I saw Alaric standing there, his eyes as cold as ice.

Next to him, Celine was sobbing hysterically. "Lyra, I know you hate me for stealing Alaric's heart. But how could you use black magic to curse me?"

I stood in front of the small mound of dirt, my face white. "Alaric, I didn't..."

He sighed, and two guards immediately stepped forward to pull me away.

"We'll see the truth soon enough," he said coldly.

I fell to his feet, banging my head against the ground in desperation.

The wounds from the night before reopened, and blood smeared across Alaric's expensive shoes. "Do you even know what's buried here? You can't do this! Please!"

His expression was unreadable as he pulled the frightened Celine behind him. "Celine and I are just childhood sweethearts. You shouldn't be so jealous."

The mound was shoveled over. A blood-soaked garment and the tiny remains of a boy were unearthed.

My unborn son finally met his father in the most horrific way possible.

I started laughing like a madwoman. "There. Is that proof enough of my innocence?"

Alaric's eyes widened. For the first time, he looked truly horrified.

"Lyra... I didn't know... Was this our child?"

His eyes turned red as he reached out to comfort me. "I'll hire the best priests. They will pray for him all night."

I used to think Alaric's embrace was the only warm thing in this cold world.

Now, it felt repulsive.

I pushed him away, my voice rasping. "He wasn't a lucky child. Why bother praying now?"

I pointed a finger at Celine. "I want her to pay for my son's life!"

Before I could even touch her, Alaric grabbed my wrist with a crushing grip.

Celine hid behind him. "Why would you say that, Lyra? I made a mistake, but you can't just blame me for your own misfortune!"

Alaric's gaze turned cold again. All his guilt was replaced by his desire to protect Celine.

I begged him through my tears. "She caused it. Alaric, make her pay for Arthur's life!"

Arthur was the name he had chosen for the baby.

He gripped my wrist so hard I thought the bone would snap. "Lyra, remember who you are. I gave you that child as a gift. If he's gone, it's just your fate. It has nothing to do with Celine!"

He wrapped his arm around Celine and walked away.

"Lock her up. No doctors, no food. Let her stay there until she regains her senses!"