Chapter 1

On the day my husband returned victorious, the Emperor held a banquet at court in his honor.

He did not return alone but with a newly decorated female general. In front of the assembled nobles, she abruptly struck my soup bowl aside, spilling hot broth across my luxurious gown.

"Do you have no hands of your own?" she said sharply. "Why must General Vayne serve you personally? He is a man of honor. How could he be reduced to such menial tasks?"

The great hall went utterly still. Even the court music faltered.

Lucian Vayne hurried to me, carefully blotting the stains from my skirts.

"Pearl was born among the Farborne and doesn't understand palace decorum," he said in a placating tone. "She only acted out of concern for me. Please, do not take offense."

I smiled, as though I accepted his explanation.

Then I pushed him aside, stepped up to Pearl Everhart, and struck her across the face.

"I am the Grand Princess of the Aldemere Empire," I said coolly. "And you, a minor officer, dare offend your superior. Tell me, what punishment does such insolence earn?"

*****

"Adelaide! Are you out of your mind?" Lucian snapped.

He shoved me with so much force that I staggered backward.

If the servant behind me hadn't grabbed me in time, I would've embarrassed myself in front of everyone.

He didn't even glance at me. Instead, he turned to Pearl, cradling her face with worry etched into every line.

"Pearl, does it hurt? Let me see," he murmured.

Tears ran down her cheeks like a string of pearls snapping apart.

"General Vayne, it's not the Grand Princess's fault," she sobbed. "I'm clumsy and haven't seen much of the world. I didn't mean to cause any trouble."

As Pearl spoke, she huddled closer to Lucian, seeking comfort in his arms.

"I was raised on the grasslands and don't know the rules of the Aldemere Empire," she said softly. "I just thought a hero like you shouldn't be treated so casually. I didn't mean anything else."

'What a smooth talker,' I thought.

With a handful of carefully chosen words, she cast herself as the wronged innocent, even as the brave champion defending her hero.

And I? In an instant, I became the villain, a petty noble abusing her rank and stirring trouble for no reason at all.

The royalties and nobles began whispering among themselves.

"The Grand Princess is way too overbearing," someone muttered.

"General Vayne just returned in glory," another whispered. "How could the princess slap his beloved officer in front of everyone?"

"Women are just so narrow-minded, always jealous of others," another guest murmured.

Lucian caught the whispers and lifted his posture, emboldened by the crowd's support.

He turned sharply, shielding Pearl behind him, his face full of righteous indignation as he confronted me.

"Adelaide, Pearl saved my life on the battlefield," he snapped. "She may be straightforward and naive about court matters. But you, as a Grand Princess, how can you be so petty, even hitting someone? Is this how a royal is supposed to behave?"

My eyes burned with cold fury as I looked at the man I had once loved so deeply.

To marry him, I had knelt before the Emperor for three days and nights, giving up on the throne that might have been mine.

I had drawn on every hidden favor, every secret connection, and even the fortune left to me by my mother to pave the way for him.

He had always thought he was invincible, a genius without equal on the battlefield.

But what he didn't realize was that behind every one of his victories, I had quietly shaped the outcome.

Now he had his fame and glory, yet before the entire court, he chose to shame me for the sake of a Farborne girl.

The last trace of affection I held for him shattered like glass.

I smoothed the slightly rumpled sleeve of my gown, my expression settling into icy calm.

"Lucian Vayne," I said evenly, "are you telling me how to conduct myself?"

Lucian stiffened, clearly unprepared for my response.

In the past, it had taken no more than a frown from him to make me soften, to make me step back.

"Pearl may hold a junior field command," I continued coolly, "but I am the Grand Princess of Aldemere. There is a clear line between sovereign and subject."

I took a step forward, my gaze cutting sharply as it swept over Pearl.

"First, she poured hot soup over me, an act of grave disrespect. Then she addressed me with insolence. That is insubordination," I said calmly.

"By law," I concluded evenly, "the penalty is death."

I enunciated the final words slowly, deliberately.

Pearl went pale, her body trembling as she clutched Lucian's sleeve like a drowning woman grasping for air.

Lucian's face darkened instantly. "You dare?" he barked. "This is a victory banquet, not an execution ground."

"Enough." A commanding voice rang out from the throne, heavy with authority.

The Emperor sat rigid on the throne, his expression unreadable as his gaze passed between Lucian and me.

"This is a victory banquet, not a brawl," he said coldly. "What disgrace are you making of the court?"

"Your Majesty." Lucian immediately dropped to one knee, his voice loud and resolute. "The Grand Princess struck a meritorious officer without cause. Such injustice will chill the hearts of our soldiers. I beg Your Majesty to uphold fairness for Pearl."

So he truly meant to have my father punish his own daughter for the sake of a Farborne girl.

'Lucian,' I thought, 'you are beyond belief. How could you be this foolish?'

My father looked at me, his eyes full of complicated emotions.

"Enough," he said at last, lifting a weary hand. "Pearl is ignorant of court protocol. Dock her pay for three months and have her formally reprimanded. Adelaide, you allowed your temper to overrule your judgment. You will remain confined for three days. This matter ends here. Everyone may withdraw."

On the surface, both sides were disciplined.

But anyone with eyes could see where the Emperor's favor truly lay.

The banquet broke up in awkward haste.