Chapter 3

Parker rode in, full of swagger, sitting tall on his horse like he owned the place.

The wedding procession was buzzing with music and excitement.

Even the neighbors who used to avoid me were crowding in to catch a glimpse, and kids were darting around, laughing and begging for wedding sweets.

Delilah Hayden, one of the palace maids, carried a basket and smiled as she handed out wedding sweets to everyone in the crowd.

Sadly, my mother would never get to see this lively scene again.

She always loved lively occasions.

I pushed down the ache in my heart as…