Chapter 1

Everyone in the Imperial Capital knew Lord Chief Justice Lincoln Hart doted on his wife.

For ten years of marriage, he'd never taken a concubine, never hidden a penny of his earnings. Even now, holding one of the highest offices, he still stopped by the market after court to buy candied fruit for me.

That was, until his trip to Ashbourne to handle a case. He returned with a female coroner in tow, dead set on making her his equal wife.

He begged, eyes rimmed red, "My whole life, I studied for the exams to bring honor to my mother, to build a shelter for you. For a decade in office, I've been disciplined and dutiful, never stepping a toe out of line.

"But now... I want to live for myself, just this once."

He'd solved major cases, yet refused all royal rewards, begging His Majesty only for a marriage decree to elevate that woman's status.

That was when my heart finally shattered.

Ten years ago, he swore an oath to me before my grandfather's grave. "Till death do us part."

Ten years later, I entered the palace, returned the late Emperor's bestowed pardon token, and asked for just one thing: an imperial decree of divorce.

*****

Lincoln, having cracked several major cases in Ashbourne, was due back in the capital any day.

But ahead of him, tales of the female coroner, Stella Page, have already swept through the Imperial Capital.

A woman, assisting the Supreme Tribunal with cases.

Her skill in autopsy was said to be astonishing.

The poems that came from her won fervent praise from Ashbourne's scholars.

And the story of how she and Lincoln met, understood each other, and fell in love has spread through every corner of the city.

When my maid brought me this news, I scoffed, utterly dismissive. "Nonsense."

This world was full of men with multiple wives and concubines; ladies in the capital rarely escape the petty worries of the inner household.

But Lincoln had always been different. Even now, as a close confidant of the Emperor, basking in royal favor, he chose to take no one else as his wife but me.

In ten years of marriage, hadn't I faced enough jealousy and resentment?

If I believed every whisper on the wind, Lincoln and I would have parted ways a hundred times over.

I didn't believe it.

Yet, two days later, at the Princess Royal's flower-viewing party, the looks the ladies gave me were inexplicably filled with pity.

Delilah Quinn, the Lady of the Judicial Undersecretary, never one to get along with me, seized the chance to gloat publicly.

She said, "I was so worried about your difficult pregnancy, fearing the delivery might be hard. How relieved I am now.

"I hear Ms. Page is also well-versed in medicine. She'll surely take good care of you, Mrs. Hart, once she enters your household."

She struck a pose, one hand behind her back, and began reciting with feigned depth.

"I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul.

"To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

"Such a dazzling, talented woman. How could anyone not admire and be moved by her?"

Her performance drew titters from the ladies around her.

"Yes, Mrs. Hart, you must see reason. What man in this world doesn't take concubines?"

"For Mr. Hart to have remained devoted to only you for ten years is already rare and deeply affectionate."

"Mrs. Hart, you mustn't let this twist your thoughts."

Their cutting words pierced my heart like thorns.

If the common people said it, and the well-informed ladies of official households said it too...

I looked up. Even the Princess Royal, Willow Williams, seated at the head and always a close friend, watched me with deep concern.

My once-resolute heart finally fluttered with a thread of panic.

Willow sighed softly and chastised the speaking ladies.

I pressed my lips tight, set down my cup, and, supporting my pregnant belly, stood up.

Then I walked slowly over to Delilah and slapped her hard across the face.

I said, "Even if I ceased to be Mrs. Hart, I am still Her Majesty's personally titled Princess Anna.

"You are in no position to mock me."

Delilah fell to the ground, stunned for a moment, only reacting when the ladies around us gasped.

She scrambled up, ready to charge at me. "Anna! How dare you hit me?"

I reminded her calmly, "My father is soon to leave for Cogsworth to assume the post of Senior Provincial Governor."

Her furious expression froze. The chatter around us died instantly.

When Father left the capital in disgrace years ago, he was merely a lowly Prefect.

In just a few short years, rising to Lord Governor is to become the highest-ranking regional official.

After my grandfather, who held high office, passed away, the Emperor's continued support for the Murray family was enough to give anyone pause.

With that one slap, I had cowed the crowd and defended the dignity of the Hart household's lady.

But I couldn't comfort myself.

In the carriage back to the mansion, I clenched my fists tightly, unable to stop the tears welling in my eyes.

After being treasured by Lincoln for a decade, I simply couldn't believe his heart had changed.

Didn't he, just months ago, when leaving the capital, look back at me every few steps, begging me over and over to take care of myself?

Hadn't his letters home arrived without fail every ten days?

Yet the rumors raged like a storm, unstoppable.