Chapter 2

On the palace steps, Lucian helped Pearl into the carriage himself. Only then did he turn, fixing me with a look as cold as winter glass.

"Return in your own carriage," he said flatly. "Pearl's been shaken. I'll see her home."

He offered no further explanation. Without another glance, he followed after Pearl and closed the door.

I stood there as the carriage rolled away, its lanterns shrinking into the distance. After a moment, I let out a quiet breath and turned back toward the palace alone.

The Royal Study was still brightly lit when I entered.

At my father's order, the attendants withdrew, leaving only the two of us.

He looked at me for a long moment, then sighed. "Adelaide," he asked quietly, "do you regret it?"

I stepped forward and sank to one knee, bowing my head.

"I was wrong," I said calmly.

I paused briefly before continuing, "My judgment failed me. I mistook a common stone for a gem and brought disappointment upon you, Father."

"Father," I said quietly, lifting my eyes to him, "I want to divorce him."

The Emperor looked at me in silence for a long moment, his fingers resting against the arm of the throne.

"Ending the marriage is easy," he said at last. "But Adelaide, can you truly accept it ending just like this?"

His gaze sharpened. "You gave up everything for that man. Are you prepared to walk away now, heads bowed, as though you were the one in the wrong?"

How could I ever accept that?

Everything I had poured into Lucian, my loyalty, my heart, and my pride, he had crushed beneath his heel without a second thought.

"Father," I began, unable to stop myself, my voice faltering, "are you saying—"

My voice trailed off. After a brief pause, he spoke, his tone laden with emotion. "You are the only one I can truly entrust with my throne."

The Emperor's gaze was sharp as he spoke. "Your two brothers are very different. Daniel is ambitious, but he is cunning and cannot be trusted. Then, there's Jaden, who is weak and indecisive. He would never be able to bear the responsibilities of ruling."

He leaned back slightly, eyes sharp. "Come home, Adelaide. It's time you reclaimed what is rightfully yours."

I lifted my head to meet my father's expectant gaze, a surge of determination rising through me.

"I accept your will, Father," I said, my voice steady and resolute.

"But about leaving him, Father," I said softly, uncertainty lingering in my tone.

The Emperor's lips curved into a sly, knowing smile. "No need to rush," he said. "When you've made your mark at court, I'll issue the decree myself. And when that day comes, everyone will know it was you, Adelaide Clairmont, who cast off Lucian Vayne—not the other way around."

By the time I returned to the Princess Manor, night had fully fallen, but the courtyard glowed as if it were day, alive with activity.

Servants scurried about, hauling boxes and trunks toward the back of the estate.

They were headed straight for the Hall of Whispering Pines, my mother's cherished retreat when she was alive.

My brows knit in anger. I stepped forward and barked, "Stop. Who gave you permission to touch the Hall of Whispering Pines?"

The servants froze, startled, and immediately abandoned what they were carrying.

Lucian emerged from the corridor, Pearl pressed to his side in his arms, his expression cool and unbothered.

"I gave the order," he said lightly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

He added casually, "Pearl couldn't get used to the guest rooms. She said they were too stuffy. The Hall of Whispering Pines is quiet, with pine groves that remind her of the grasslands she grew up in, so I let her move in."

'Grasslands, huh?' I thought, a sneer curling my lips.

Every single Limber Pine in that place had been planted by my mother's own hands. Since when had that ever resembled the grasslands?

"The Hall of Whispering Pines is the late Empress's legacy," I snapped, my voice cold and commanding. "No one but me is allowed to live there."

I strode forward, planting myself firmly in the doorway to block their path.

"Throw everything out right now," I ordered, leaving no room for argument.

"Adelaide." Lucian snapped, his voice ringing with anger.

He let go of Pearl and stormed right up to me, his eyes blazing.

"It's just a hall," he shot back, his tone sharp. "Do you have to be so petty? Pearl is a guest here, and she's done us a favor. What's the harm in letting her stay somewhere nicer?"

He leaned slightly forward, a mocking edge to his voice. "Besides, you slapped Pearl in front of everyone at the banquet. Letting her have a better room is the least you owe her. Just consider it an apology."

'Apology? Seriously?' I scoffed inwardly, fury coiling in my chest.

A bitter, mocking laugh escaped me before I could stop it.

"Lucian," I snapped, my voice dripping with contempt, "did a horse kick you in the head? You think I should apologize to her? Is she even worthy of it?"

When I stepped in front of Pearl, Lucian's eyes widened in shock. Without a word, he lunged forward and shoved me aside.

Years of martial training had made him strong, far stronger than I anticipated.

Taken by surprise, I lost my footing and slammed into the jagged rocks of the rockery, pain shooting through my back.

Pain exploded through me, and a muffled groan escaped my lips. My arm had been cut open by the sharp stones, and blood instantly soaked my sleeve.

Lucian froze, his eyes widening in panic for a fleeting moment as they fell on the blood staining my arm.

"Adelaide, I-I didn't mean to..." he stammered, his voice faltering.

His hand shot out instinctively, reaching toward my wound.

"Lucian, I haven't eaten all day. I'm so hungry." Pearl cried out suddenly, throwing herself into his arms, her eyes glistening with tears.

Lucian paused, glancing first at me, then down at the trembling girl clinging to him. His hand faltered in midair and slowly retreated.

"Take care of your own wound. Pearl's frightened and hasn't had dinner yet. I'm taking her to eat," he said, his tone flat and indifferent.

Without another glance, he hoisted Pearl into his arms and strode off, leaving me standing there.

I slumped against the jagged rocks of the rockery, numb to the pain as blood trickled from my fingers, staining the ground beneath me. 'So this is what it feels like—to be abandoned,' I thought bitterly.

'Does it hurt?' I asked myself silently, the question echoing in my mind.

'Does it hurt?' I asked myself silently. The wound burned like fire, but my heart felt surprisingly calm.

"Messenger," I called out, my voice steady and commanding despite the pain.

"Notify Chancellor Reginald Ashford and Sir Marshal Lyon. Tell them I've made up my mind," I ordered.

It wasn't long before a few veteran ministers, dressed in plain clothes, slipped quietly in through the back gate.

These were the same loyal ministers who had supported me all those years ago.

When their eyes fell on me, some could barely contain their emotions, tears glimmering on their cheeks.

"Your Highness, you have finally returned," Chancellor Ashford exclaimed, his voice thick with feeling.

His long beard trembled as he added, "We have waited far too long for this day."