Chapter 4

After that, Grace began appearing at my side constantly. Sometimes I could not politely refuse her, so when I ran into her while out, I let her join us.

Whenever she saw Charles and the others, she would greet them shyly, always bringing up how they had rescued her and thanking them profusely.

At first, they barely noticed her. Lucas grew impatient and did not hold back his words. I had to step in and say, "She has had a difficult time. Do not frighten her off."

But somewhere along the way, her name started appearing in their conversations more and more.

The treats they used to bring only for me now always include a share for her. Sometimes they brought only what she liked.

They began taking her to fairs, leaving me behind.

Grace always seemed fine when we were alone, but the moment Charles and the others appeared, she would act as though I had given her a hard time.

They would look at me with suspicion, as if I were the one who had wronged her.

It reached the point where Grace would stumble in front of me, pretend to fall into the water, or turn up with red marks on her face.

Time after time, Charles and the others scolded me, their voices growing harsher. No matter what I said, they would not listen. They only believed Grace.

And then, because of Grace, they took my handkerchief and threw it straight into the gutter, humiliating me in front of everyone.

*****

With a wedding procession stretching for miles, I married Edward Lawson, the Captain of the Royal Guard.

We drank the wedding wine and spent our first night together by candlelight. The man who was always so cold and severe in the outside world became soft and gentle with me.

Exhausted, I drifted off to sleep in his arms, feeling safe and cherished.

That night, I dreamed of the day my handkerchief was thrown into the gutter. I sat at home, miserable and humiliated.

My parents were furious, ready to storm over to those families and demand answers. "How could anyone treat our daughter this way?" they said.

I did not understand either. We grew up together. We had been together for over ten years. And they humiliated me like that.

Then Edward, the Captain of the Royal Guard, arrived at our door.

My parents were bewildered. The Goodwin family was respectable, and we rarely crossed paths with the ruthless, calculating Royal Guard. My mother was nervous.

Edward walked in wearing the signature uniform of the Royal Guard, cold and handsome, holding a handkerchief that was spotless and fine.

He said, "I have Miss Goodwin's handkerchief here. I wonder if I could ask for her hand in marriage.

"If she does not wish to marry me, I will not press the matter. I wish her happiness."

My parents were utterly shocked. I stared at him in disbelief, unable to speak.

We had met before.

When I was a child, I was playing hide-and-seek with Charles and the others when I accidentally ran into a small boy. We both fell, and I landed on top of him.

I tried to apologise, but Charles and the others rushed over, thinking he was bullying me. They jumped in front of me and gave him a hard time.

I tried to explain, but he only gave us a cold stare and walked away.

I later learned he was the Chancellor, Matthew Lawson's son, and he was always at odds with Charles and his group.

When Matthew was accused of a crime, I overheard my father sigh that Matthew was innocent, though the King's intention was hard to guess.

When the Lawson family was hunted down, I happened to pass by a clump of bushes and saw him hiding there, desperate to stay out of sight.

When the soldiers came by, I pretended to be playing nearby and helped him slip past.

I ran home to fetch food and money for him, but by the time I returned, he was gone.

More than ten years later, after the new King ascended the throne, he became Captain of the Royal Guard and restored the Lawson family's name.

Once, when we happened to meet, he started toward me, but Charles and the others immediately pulled me back, warning me to keep my distance.

They said he reeked of blood, cold and merciless. I should not get too close.

After that, whenever we crossed paths, he would only nod politely and pass by, as if we were strangers.

But this time, he appeared at my door with my handkerchief in hand.

Though Edward said he would not push if I was unwilling, he asked, "Miss Goodwin, would you give me a chance? A chance to know one another?"

That was when we began to see each other. I discovered who he truly was, and my feelings became clear.

Our marriage was settled. It felt right.

*****

A month later, I ran into Grace and her friends again at a spring garden party hosted by Chesterfield Manor.

She looked radiant, moving with an easy confidence as she walked over. "Evelyn, it's been ages. Such a shame you didn't come with us to Greendale.

"We had the most wonderful time. We helped a young lady arrange for her handkerchief to end up in her true love's hands."

She gave a little gasp, pressing her fingers to her lips. "Oh, dear. I suppose that's rather a sore subject, isn't it?

"Evelyn, don't be cross with Charles and the others. They were only defending me, and I've already spoken to them about it."

I smiled and beckoned my cousin Matilda, who had been watching from nearby with a frown. "Matilda, do you remember the fable our tutor told you about the ungrateful snake? Does it remind you of anything now?"

Matilda's face split into a grin. "Sure. It's as if the tale is unfolding right before my eyes. I see it now."

Grace's expression stiffened. She shot me a cold look, then glanced to the side, her face instantly shifting to one of wounded innocence. It was obvious who was about to appear.

Sure enough, Lucas's voice came from behind me. "Evelyn, there you go again, pushing Grace around."

The three of them strode over, positioning themselves protectively in front of Grace and blocking me from her, their glares sharp and accusing.