Chapter 2

After just a day with the King, I got a taste of those rumors myself.

So I didn't step forward to stop him, and I didn't ask any questions. I just quietly waited off to the side.

But the wedding dress was made of such fine material, its gold-thread embroidery tough and unyielding.

The King twisted and tore at it until his knuckles went white and his eyes reddened, yet he still couldn't rip it apart.

In a fit of fury, he smashed the scepter on the table, clutching his forehead as if his head were about to split open, his voice wild and unhinged. "Bryan, drag this woman out and beat her to death!"

I flinched at his cold, harsh voice, but Bryan Cleveland remained calm, stepping forward to remind him in a low tone, "Your Majesty, today is the princess's wedding day. It's not a good day for bloodshed."

The King turned to look at me, his gaze so dark and menacing that my legs nearly gave out.

But in the end, he just waved his hand, dismissing the guards.

Bryan waved his dusting brush and told the still-shaken palace staff, "Alright, get up. The lucky hour's almost here. Everyone, get back to your duties."

He gave a respectful bow to the King and me, then quietly stepped out and closed the door behind him.

Now it was just the two of us in the room, sunlight pouring through the windows, dust swirling in the air. For a while, neither of us said a word.

I pressed my lips together, watching the King still trying to tear the wedding dress apart. He was so stubborn it was honestly scary.

He could've just burned it and been done, but instead, he'd rather torment himself like this.

I just couldn't figure him out.

We'd only known each other for a single day, but he was already treating me like his real daughter, spoiling me rotten.

When I said I didn't want to go back to the palace right away or reveal who I really was, he agreed instantly, not even hesitating.

When I told him I still wanted to marry Parker—even though he knew Parker was bad news—he didn't try to stop me. Instead, he acted just like a regular dad, working through the night to put together my dowry.

A scepter, royal silk, pearl hairpins, paintings, gold and silverware, deeds to estates and shops—he brought it all, piling up so much stuff that my tiny room was packed to the brim.

I sighed, rubbing my temples. I was just a regular girl right now. If my dowry were too flashy, the Carroll family might start getting suspicious.

The King complained I was making a fuss, but secretly had Bryan buy the house next door and store all the expensive stuff there, leaving only some ordinary things as my dowry.

Thinking about all that, I felt relieved inside—pretty sure he wouldn't do me any harm.

Maybe I was getting a little gutsy, so I braced myself and said, "Your Majesty, how about I help you burn it? It'll be faster and cleaner."

He stared at me for a moment, then tossed the scissors onto the table, his voice steady. "If you want to burn it, go ahead."

I was about to protest that burning it wasn't my idea, but when I caught sight of the fresh cuts on his hand from the scissors, I bit back my words.

Cradling the wedding dress, I went out to the backyard and set it on fire, making sure it was completely reduced to ashes.

As dusk fell, a maid brought me a brand-new wedding dress. The design was elegant and novel, the embroidery intricate, and the stitching so fine it was almost invisible.

The maid explained that the King had ordered the royal tailors to work overnight, and the seamstresses were waiting outside in case I needed any immediate alterations.

I brushed my fingers over the fabric and replied softly, "It's fine, really."

The shadow guard slipped in to report, "The wedding procession is just two blocks away."

Once I was all dressed up, the palace maids gently supported me as I stepped out of the room.

The King caught sight of me and, for a moment, looked completely dazed, like he'd forgotten to breathe.

I walked up to him, bowed deeply, and thanked him with real sincerity for taking care of everything.

For years, I'd lived alone in Ashfall Alley, with no family or friends. The neighbors always saw me as beneath them, thanks to my background, and never bothered to even say hello.

It had been so long since anyone treated me with this kind of kindness.

Bryan jumped in with a grin, trying to smooth things over. "Come on, Your Grace, you should call him 'Father' now, not 'Your Majesty.'"

I was caught off guard and just buried my head even deeper.

The distant horn wailed in the distance, but here, it was so quiet that I could hear a pin drop.

Bryan was pacing in circles, while the palace staff stood frozen, afraid to even breathe.

A cold sweat broke out across my back, but then I heard his gentle chuckle—laced with regret and a hint of self-deprecation.

"If you don't want to call me that, then don't," the King said, reaching out to help me up.

He carefully straightened my sleeves, speaking softly, "I've neglected you and your mother for so many years. If you don't want to acknowledge me, I get it."

He placed the veil over my head, his voice steady and strong. "But whether you accept it or not, I am your father.

"Go on. I'm right behind you. Even if you raise hell in the Carroll family, I've got your back."

With the veil shutting out the world, my eyes burned with sudden emotion.

All those years of resentment and questions I'd forced down were about to burst out of my throat.

Where was he when people were tormenting my mother?

Where was he when she was beaten black and blue?

Where was he when I was shoved into the lotus pond, scrambling for scraps with beggars just to survive?

Now she was gone, and I didn't need him anymore, yet here he was.

All those words were boiling up inside me, but in the end, I just shoved them back down. I let the maids steady me as I walked out of the courtyard, one step at a time.

Parker called out, "Victoria, I'm here for you!"