Chapter 3

Simon's hand hovered in the air, but in the end, he couldn't bring himself to strike. It wasn't out of mercy. He just didn't have the guts.

He knew all too well. If he dared slap me, the Howell family's cavalry would flatten his manor in no time.

"Well, isn't that just perfect?" Simon growled, sarcasm dripping from every word.

Jaw tight, he forced the words out between clenched teeth. "Celina, you'd better not regret this."

Then, he turned around and left.

At the doorway, he stopped and turned to look at me.

Simon said, "Three days is way too short. There's no way to get the accounts straight. Give me ten days. We'll talk in ten days."

It was just a way to buy himself some time.

He wanted those ten days to figure out a solution, maybe come up with a plan to handle it. Or maybe he was thinking about shifting the assets before anyone could catch on.

I nodded. "Alright, ten days it is."

He thought I couldn't see through his schemes, but he didn't know that I didn't care. Because he couldn't move a single coin of all that wealth.

After Simon left, Avril finally whispered, "My lady, isn't ten days way too long? What if he tries something..."

I said firmly, "Not a chance. From the first day I married into this family, every single asset, every transaction in the manor, has been stamped with my seal. Without my seal, he can't touch a single coin."

Avril's eyes widened as it all clicked, then she looked at me with admiration. "My lady, you're a genius."

I just smiled and didn't say anything.

Honestly, compared to the Howell family's generations of mastery over military power and wealth, this was nothing but kid stuff.

The real gift I had prepared for Simon was still waiting in the wings.

*****

The next few days were quiet in the manor. Simon didn't come looking for me again. Hilda didn't show up either.

The servants' looks toward me had changed from fear and respect to pity and contempt.

They'd probably all heard the gossip. The jealous, barren princess was about to be cast aside.

I couldn't care less about any of that.

Every day, I just read, enjoyed a drink, or played a few rounds of chess with Avril.

I was so relaxed as if I had nothing to worry about, even though I was about to be kicked out.

As for Simon, he was practically losing his mind.

The butler showed up at my door every day, whining and pleading. "My lady, please, cut us some slack. The coffers are empty, and there are hundreds of mouths in the manor waiting to be fed.

"The estates outside the city delivered vegetables and are asking for payment, but we can't come up with the money.

"The silk shop on Mercer Street is chasing us for payment too. If we don't cough up the money soon, they're threatening to report us to the Magistrate's Court."

Every time, I just shrugged it off, barely bothering to respond.

"Go ask Prince Simon," I said, cool as ever.

The butler looked like he was about to burst into tears. "His Highness told me to figure it out myself. But without your seal, I can't even open the treasury doors! How am I supposed to solve this?"

I set my cup down. "Then just wait until Simon finishes taking inventory of my assets. Once we're officially divorced, the manor's expenses won't be my problem anymore."

The butler left with a long face, looking utterly defeated.

I knew my words would reach Simon's ears soon enough. He was stalling for time, hoping I'd cave.

But I pulled the rug out from under him, leaving him no choice but to scramble.

On the seventh day, Simon finally couldn't take it anymore.

He had someone call me over to the main hall, saying it was time to talk business.

When I arrived, the main hall was full. Simon sat at the head of the table, his face stormy.

Hilda was seated just below him, her eyes red and puffy, looking like she'd been through hell.

Next to her sat a dignified, elegant middle-aged woman. It was Simon Giffard's mother, Agatha Trier.

As soon as I walked in, Agatha slammed her cup down on the table.

She snapped, "Celina Howell, do you even remember to come see me? As the lady of this manor, you have no patience for others, you're jealous, and you've made the whole place a living hell.

"Is this the kind of upbringing the Howell family gives their daughters?"

She was pulling the elder card, trying to pressure me with her status.

I stepped forward and gave a proper bow. "Greetings, Lady Agatha. Prince Simon and I are currently discussing our separation, so I'm no longer the lady of this household.

"If you have questions about the manor, you should ask Prince Simon. Or maybe his next wife."

My gaze swept lightly over Hilda.

Hilda's face turned pale in an instant.

Agatha's face turned red with rage. She jabbed a trembling finger at me, her whole hand shaking. "You... you actually dare to use King Geoffrey to confront me?"

I lowered my eyes, my voice calm and unruffled. "My lady, you speak too harshly. I'm reminding you that I was granted the title of First Rank Lady by King Geoffrey.

"My wedding gifts were decreed by King Geoffrey himself. As an elder, you sit here and try to force me to give up what King Geoffrey bestowed. May I ask, on what grounds?"

Every word was sharp and powerful, hitting home without a single miss.

It was like a bunch of tiny hammers, each one striking Agatha right where it hurt.

After years of living high and mighty, always used to people bowing to her, she'd never been put in her place like this.