Chapter 6

I opened my eyes, a chilling smile spreading across my face.

What a filthy bastard. He was really asking for trouble.

It was the day of the party.

The Duke's Manor was lit up and decorated, buzzing with guests everywhere.

Harvey personally arranged for me to sit as close as possible to Jonah.

Harvey walked over, holding a wine glass and plastering on a wide, insincere grin.

"Lady Helena, you've worked yourself to the bone entertaining all these officials tonight. Allow me, Harvey, to toast you," he said.

I took the glass and sniffed it.

It was spiked, one of the strongest kind.

I met his gaze.

He stared back at me, his eyes intense and eager.

I smiled. "Since you're offering the toast, how could I dare refuse?"

I lifted the glass.

Harvey's grin stretched even wider.

Then I yanked him by the back of the neck and slammed him face-first onto the table.

With my other hand, I pried his mouth open and poured the entire glass of wine down his throat, not letting him spill a single drop.

Not a single drop remained.

Harvey looked like he was really enjoying himself. His eyes bulged in shock as he let out a muffled, desperate noise.

I let go of him, grinning like a cat that just caught a canary.

"So, darling, how's the wine?" I teased.

Harvey clutched his throat, his face flushing bright red. "You—"

But before he could get another word out, his eyes started to lose focus.

The drug was kicking in.

I helped him up and gave the officials a polite smile.

"Harvey's had a bit too much tonight. I'll take him back to his room to rest," I said, leading him out.

As I passed by Jonah, I shot him a flirtatious wink.

"Mr. Berger, Harvey has something urgent to discuss with you," I said.

Jonah broke into a sleazy grin, rubbing his hands together as he hurried after us.

I shoved Harvey into an empty side room.

And just like that, I happened to lock him inside with Jonah.

With the aphrodisiac incense filling the air, it wasn't long before a chorus of moans and laughter drifted out from within.

Have fun, dear.

*****

The next day, Brightville blew up with gossip.

Every coffee shop, tavern, and street corner—everyone was talking about the same thing.

Turned out Harvey swung both ways. He actually liked men.

I stood at the gates of the Duke's Manor, crying my heart out in front of everyone, my sobs echoing through the air.

"Harvey!" I wailed. "How could you treat me like this? I've been your wife for so long, and you never even laid a finger on me. So all this time, you were after men."

A crowd formed a circle around me, whispering and pointing fingers.

"Harvey is the worst," someone spat.

"Poor Lady Helena. Her life is ruined for good," another person lamented.

I bawled even harder.

My tears poured down like rain.

On my way back home, I walked past Harvey's bedroom. The door was wide open, and the sound of someone sobbing drifted out.

I poked my head in for a look.

Jessica was sitting at the edge of the bed, sniffling quietly as she wiped her tears.

Harvey was sprawled out on the bed, his eyes glazed over, looking like his soul had left his body.

Jessica was bawling. "How could Harvey possibly be into guys? He said it right to my face that he liked me."

I stepped inside and gave her shoulder a gentle pat.

"Don't be sad," I said softly.

Jessica looked up at me, her tear-streaked face full of sorrow.

I sighed, speaking with genuine concern. "Let me give you a piece of advice. Men only behave themselves once they've been fixed."

Jessica was totally floored. "What are you talking about?"

I smiled sweetly at her.

"Relax. I'll fix him for good. He won't be chasing after anyone ever again," I said.

I rolled up my sleeves and walked over to the bed.

Harvey finally snapped to attention.

He stared at me, eyes wide with terror, his voice cracking. "W-what are you doing? D-don't come any closer."

I ripped the covers off him in one swift motion.

Harvey screamed.

That night, agonized screams rang out across the entire Duke's Manor.

From then on, Harvey was truly forced to play for the other team because, well, he literally had no other option left.

The royal decree dropped on me out of the blue.

The King summoned me to the palace.

I didn't even have time to change my clothes before I was shoved into a carriage and whisked straight to the palace.

The carriage came to a stop.

A servant screeched, "Lady Helena has arrived."

I stepped out of the carriage and looked up.

The palace wasn't as impressive as I'd imagined.

There was nothing special, really.

I followed the servant, weaving through countless gates and halls, until we finally stopped in front of a grand palace.

Two lines of guards stood at the entrance, each with a hefty broadsword strapped to their waist, staring straight ahead without so much as a glance in my direction.

"Lady Helena, this way," the servant said.

I stepped inside.

In the Regal Palace, a man sat on the throne.

I looked up and saw that his looks were almost unreal, and he had this cold, distant vibe.

His skin was so perfect, and the way his eyes and brows drooped made him look sickly and lazy, like a piece of fragile porcelain that could shatter at any moment.

But those eyes—they were so dark and deep, like staring into an endless abyss.

He lounged on the throne, propping his chin up with one hand, just watching me.

A thought popped into my head.

Damn, he's gorgeous.

Too bad he was just an unlucky bastard who got cuckolded.