Chapter 5

Jasper's eyes lingered on my face for a moment.

Then, he smiled. "Vivienne Nicholson? Or should I call you Milana?"

My heart skipped a beat.

He knew?

Did he really know I was not the real Milana?

I steadied myself and looked up at him.

"You can call me whatever you want," I said. "Either way, I'm your wife now."

Jasper raised an eyebrow.

"Interesting," he replied.

He sat down across from me and poured himself a cup of coffee.

"I heard the Nicholson family made a last-minute change to their family records for you," he said.

I nodded.

"Yes," I replied. "Because Milana didn't want to marry someone everyone thought was a lost cause. So the Nicholson family offered me up instead—the unwanted daughter."

Jasper took a sip of his coffee.

"A lost cause?" His tone was calm.

I looked at him.

"That's what everyone says," I replied. "They say you lost your ability to have children after that horseback riding accident."

Jasper set his cup down. "What if I told you none of that was true?"

My heart skipped a beat.

Just as I thought.

I knew it wouldn't be that simple.

I looked at him.

"Then I should congratulate you, Your Highness," I said.

Jasper smiled. "You're not surprised?"

I shook my head.

"Why would I be surprised?" I asked. "You're the Crown Prince, the one set to take the throne. There's no way you'd really be a lost cause."

Jasper looked at me, a spark of interest flickering in his eyes.

"You're pretty sharp," Jasper said.

I stayed silent.

Jasper stood up and walked over to the window.

"Since you're so smart, I won't hide it from you," he said. "I never lost the ability to have kids.

"The horseback accident was real, but the injuries weren't as serious as the rumors made them out to be."

He turned to look at me.

"The reason those rumors were spread was that someone wanted to test me," he continued. "They wanted to see if anyone would still support me if I really was a lost cause."

I got it.

This was all part of the palace power games.

Someone was trying to use this opportunity to chip away at Jasper's power.

But Jasper turned the tables, using it to figure out who was truly loyal to him and who just went whichever way the wind blew.

"And what about me?" I asked. "And what about me?"

Jasper walked back over and stood right in front of me. "You were never part of the plan. Milana was the one who was supposed to marry me.

"She would've despised me and talked trash about me when I wasn't around. Then I'd have a reason to get rid of her and marry someone else."

He paused for a moment.

"But now, it's you who's married to me," he said. "An unwanted daughter. A woman your family cast aside, pushed out just to get rid of."

I looked at him.

"So, what's your plan, Your Highness?" I asked. "Are you planning to divorce me right away? Or will you wait for me to slip up, then find an excuse to send me out of the Crown Prince's Palace?"

Jasper smiled. "You're really not afraid of death, are you? What if I decided to kill you right here and now?"

I shook my head.

"I'm not afraid," I answered. "If you truly wanted me dead, you would've done it already—in the main hall.

"The fact that I'm still here means you see some value in me, Your Highness."

Jasper's gaze lingered on me, the interest in his eyes growing deeper.

"Go on, tell me—what do you think you're good for?" he asked.

I stood up and walked over to him, meeting his eyes.

"Is it that you want a pawn who'll do exactly as she's told, Your Highness?" I asked. "Or do you want an ally who can help you?"

Jasper narrowed his eyes.

"What if I told you I want an ally?" he asked.

I smiled.

"Then that's just right," I said. "I'm not looking for a husband who's a lost cause. I want someone powerful enough to help me turn my life around."

I met his gaze.

"Your Highness, let's make a deal. Help me take on the Nicholson family. "I'll help you keep your Crown Princess and deal with anyone trying to drag you down from the throne. So, what do you say?"

Jasper was silent for a long moment.

Finally, he reached out his hand.

"Deal," he said.

I took Jasper's hand, sealing our pact.

Two people cast aside by fate, now bound together as allies.

Just then, a servant's voice drifted in from outside. "It's getting late, Your Highness. The Crown Princess should retire for the night."

Jasper let go of my hand. "I'll be staying in the outer hall tonight. You get some rest."

He turned and walked toward the door.

When he reached the doorway, he glanced back at me and said, "Vivienne, welcome to the Crown Prince's Palace."