Chapter 1

To cure my stubborn illness, my fiancé Samuel ventured out alone to the cliffs in search of a remedy.

Samuel managed to find the medicine, but tragically slipped and fell to his death.

Samuel died for me, so I sobbed and begged my father to record him as one of our own and lay him to rest in our ancestral tomb.

But my father just shook his head and sighed helplessly. "Silly girl, do you know why he was willing to risk everything for that medicine? He wanted me to promise him something.

"Once you recovered, he planned to cut ties with the Morgan family forever and start a new life with Aurora."

The girl my father mentioned, Aurora, was Samuel's childhood sweetheart.

That's when it hit me. Even after five years of being engaged to me, Samuel had never let go of her, not for a single day.

I had just recovered from my illness, but the rage and heartbreak were too much. And I dropped dead right then and there.

The moment I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day Samuel returned from his trip up north for disaster relief.

*****

"Ms. Morgan, Mr. Adams and Mr. Morgan are back," Halle said.

I was lounging on my bed, slowly sipping the freshly brewed herbal medicine, when my maid Halle came running in, her face glowing with excitement.

Ever since I was hurt five years ago, I'd been plagued by a stubborn illness that never truly healed.

Nearly half a year back, a devastating flood swept through the north, and my father brought Samuel along to help with the relief efforts.

Because of our engagement, my father always looked out for Samuel, giving him more chances to prove himself, whether he realized it or not.

I nodded and downed my medicine in one go.

"What, you couldn't even bother to come out and say hi to Dad and I traveled all this way?" Samuel snapped, not even giving me a chance to speak.

Before I could reply, Samuel stormed into my room, not waiting for an answer. He brought a cold air with him, looking all proud and annoyed.

Even though he was pretty much a live-in son-in-law in the Morgan family, Samuel always carried himself with that scholar's arrogance.

He was never deigning to show me any respect, and his words were always sharp as knives.

Back then, I thought it was just his principled nature, and I never took it personally. I even admired him for not letting money or status sway him.

But now, looking back, I realize I was just lying to myself the whole time.

My illness had left me pale as a sheet. I glanced up at him, my tone cool and detached. "You really want me to go out and greet you looking like this?"

Seeing me like this, Samuel realized that I was still sick.

For a rare moment, guilt and concern flickered across his face. Samuel brushed the dust off his clothes, sat down at the edge of my bed, and reached out to take my hand in his.

"I was out of line. How's your recovery going?" Samuel softly, not realizing his hand was ice-cold from being outside, and the chill made my skin ache.

I frowned and yanked my hand away. "Samuel, just say what you want."

Whenever he suddenly acted nice around me, it was always because he wanted a favor.

Samuel's smile faded, his brows knitting together at my words.

After a moment, Samuel said quietly, "Alright, I do have a small favor to ask.

"I heard the royal music hall is recruiting musicians from the public next month, and Lady Violet's running the show. You're pretty close with her. Could you put in a good word for Aurora?"

Just hearing Aurora's name made my gaze turn cold. I replied, "Being a palace musician is no small matter. They perform right before the royal court. There's no room for carelessness.

"If someone with hidden motives gets in, the whole Morgan family could be in serious danger. Don't expect me to stick my neck out for her."

"Stella, what kind of talk is that? Aurora's been my childhood friend. We grew up side by side. Do you really think I have some hidden agenda?" Samuel snapped, his voice sharp.

Ever since I met Samuel, I'd never spoken to him like this. I almost always went along with whatever he wanted.

Sure enough, the moment I snapped back with a biting reply, his tone instantly sharpened. "Aurora lost her father early, and she and her mom have had it rough, performing in taverns just to scrape by.

"I'd vouch for her with my own life. If you don't trust her, don't you at least trust me?"