Chapter 2

I had the servants replace the bed curtains, spread out fresh bedding, and even made sure the dressing table was fully stocked with rouge and powder.

Gabrielle stood in the doorway, looking like she couldn't believe her luck. "Sophia, this is way too generous. I really can't accept—"

"Don't be silly," I said, gently steering her to the dressing table and opening up the jewelry box. "Go ahead, pick out whatever catches your eye."

Inside were the prettiest pieces from my dowry—a gold hairpin with emerald accents, a smooth emerald bracelet, and a pair of ruby earrings.

Gabrielle couldn't take her eyes off them, but she still hesitated. "I feel so bad taking these..."

"Just pick," I said, not giving her a chance to refuse.

She ended up choosing three pieces.

I smiled as I helped her put them on, watching her reflection in the mirror. "You really are beautiful, Gabrielle. Everything looks good on you. If you ever need anything, just tell me."

Gabrielle bit her lip, her eyes getting misty again. "You're so kind to me, Sophia. I... I honestly don't know how to repay you..."

"No need for thanks," I said, standing up. "Get some rest. Tomorrow, I'll show you around Mildon."

On the way back to my room, Eugenia had been holding it in the whole time, but finally couldn't help herself. "My lady, why are you being so good to her? Those are your marriage gift."

"Why the rush?" I said, gazing up at the moon. "Objects are lifeless, but people are alive. And when it comes to people, things can always change."

Eugenia didn't get it, but I didn't need her to.

From then on, I treated Gabrielle so well that everyone in the manor was stunned.

I took her shopping all over Mildon, buying her new clothes and jewelry, and everywhere we went, I proudly introduced her as my cousin. I brought her to banquets, had her sit beside me, and made sure she met every lady of high society.

Gabrielle gradually became more comfortable and started to truly blossom.

She started acting all sweet and playful around me, and she'd casually mention Terry every now and then.

"Sophia, Terry brought me a box of pastries today. He said they're from that famous shop in the south of the city," she'd say.

"Sophia, Terry strolled through the garden with me. He said I'm even prettier than the flowers," she'd add.

"Sophia, Terry asked if I was cold and wanted to wrap his cloak around me..." she'd giggle.

Whenever she talked about him, her eyes sparkled with a mix of nervousness and hope.

She was waiting for me to get mad.

And I was waiting for her to fall right into my trap.

I finally decided to bring it up myself.

That night, I was having dinner with Terry. I personally ladled him a bowl of soup and said offhandedly, "Terry, there's something I want to discuss with you."

Terry paused mid-bite, giving me a cautious look.

I smiled. "Relax, it's good news."

"What is it?" he asked.

"It's about Gabrielle," I said.

Terry's face went through a few changes before he sighed. "Sophia, I know this isn't easy for you. If you don't want this, I'll have her leave—"

"Why wouldn't I want it?" I interrupted him. "I really like Gabrielle—she's lovely, has a sweet temperament, and gets along well with you. Honestly, I think it's better to bring her into the family sooner rather than later, so people won't have anything to gossip about."

Terry was stunned.

He looked at me as if he barely recognized me.

"You... you're serious?" he asked.

"Of course I am," I said, placing some food in his bowl. "We've been married for five years, and I still haven't given you a child. Gabrielle is young and healthy. Once she joins our family, we'll truly be one. Her children will be as much mine as yours."

Terry's eyes grew misty with emotion.

He put down his spoon and took my hand. "Sophia, I... I never thought you'd be this generous."

I squeezed his hand back and gave it a gentle pat.

"We're husband and wife. Your happiness is mine. Tomorrow, I'll speak to your mother and choose an auspicious day to make it official," I said.

That night, Terry stayed in my bedroom, holding me close and whispering sweet nothings to me until dawn.

As I listened to his endless chatter, I found myself picturing Gabrielle's reaction when she got the news and wondering if she'd be shocked, delighted, or just completely floored.

The next day, the news made its way to Rosewood Garden.

Apparently, Gabrielle was so thrilled she couldn't even nap—she just kept pacing around her room, already plotting how she'd play the perfect, devoted concubine.

I idly toyed with the letter I'd just received, a faint smile curling at the corners of my lips.

The letter had come from Gabrielle's old hometown.

It laid everything out in black and white: Gabrielle, eighteen years old, had been engaged to a young man named Max from the neighboring village three years ago.

But she found the Max family too poor, so she left for Mildon on her own—and hasn't returned since.

That Max boy was hopelessly devoted, waiting for her all this time.

Three years...