Chapter 1
Wayne Hurlbutt from the Marquis of Glory's estate married me, but only because I looked like his first love, who died due to illness.
But then, his first love came back from the dead and ended up as my widowed sister-in-law, Leigh Hurlbutt.
On our wedding day, Wayne ditched all the guests in the city for Leigh, swearing he'd mourn for his deceased brother for three years and keep her safe no matter what.
The whole world was laughing at me.
That very night, I barged into the Regent's Manor with a sword in hand, begging him to help me get a divorce.
The man who ruled the court with an iron fist gripped my chin, his gaze shadowed and unreadable. "Once you divorce him, you belong to me."
Three years later, Wayne showed up, eyes red, begging me to come back.
But what he saw was Peter Patton, the Regent, pinning me against the palace wall and kissing me hard, full of raw possessiveness.
"Take a good look, Lord Wayne. See who she really belongs to," Peter said.
*****
"Victoria, Leigh lost her husband. She's still weak and can't handle any more shocks," Wayne said as he lifted my veil.
There wasn't even a hint of joy on his face, only worry.
"Let's skip the ceremonial wine. I'm going to stay with her," he said.
I sat alone in the wedding chamber, surrounded by a sea of glaring red, still clutching half a wedding pastry I hadn't even managed to bite into.
Before I could even say a word, he was already gone.
He spun around and pushed open the door, his red wedding robe billowing behind him as he strode out, utterly resolute, as if marching onto a battlefield.
Outside, the guests broke into shocked commotion.
Then Wayne's voice rang out, loud and sharp, piercing right through the paper windows and stabbing straight into my chest.
"Leigh has always been like family to me. Now that my brother is gone, I vow to mourn in his place for three years and do everything I can to protect Leigh.
"Today's wedding is over. Everyone, please leave."
He was pulling out such a justified excuse.
He sounded upright when he said he would keep Leigh safe.
Everyone in Severthia knew Wayne only married me because I looked a bit like Leigh, the woman he could never have.
He loved her but lost her. Leigh eventually ended up marrying his older brother, Manfred Hurlbutt.
Now that Manfred was gone, Leigh was left a widow.
Wayne's heart, dead and numb for years, started beating again.
Sirena Weaver, my maid, was shaking with anger, tears streaming down her face. "How could Lord Wayne do this?
"It's your wedding day. He left you here all alone. How will people think of you?"
I set the wedding pastry down and brushed the crumbs off my hands.
"Why are you crying?" I said.
I stood up, walked over to the bronze mirror, and pulled off the heavy phoenix crown from my head.
"If he's going to be heartless, then don't blame me for being ruthless," I said.
I stared at my reflection, phoenix crown atop my head, draped in dazzling ceremonial robes, looking absolutely stunning.
Unfortunately, all that beauty was wasted on a joke.
Wayne probably thought I'd break down, throw a fit, or beg him to come back, like before.
After all, I was the one who stayed on the ground in the snow for three days, pleading with my father to agree to this marriage.
But I was also the daughter of General Stronghold's estate.
I could love someone so much I'd humble myself.
But I'd never let anyone grind my pride into the mud.
"My lady, where are you going?" Sirena asked, her voice trembling.
When she saw me change into a sleek black outfit, her face went pale with shock.
I picked up my sword from the table and spun it in a flashy flourish.
"I'm going to find a man who can really back me up," I said.
If Wayne could ditch all the guests for Leigh, then I'd have to find someone who could really put him in his place.
Looking around Severthia, there was only one person Wayne would actually be wary of.
It was Peter Patton, the Regent.
He ruled the court with absolute power and ruthless methods. Recently, he had killed three corrupt officials as a warning to the rest.
He was also Wayne's sworn enemy at court.
"Get the horse ready," I ordered, my voice icy.
I was not sticking around for this wedding night.
Tonight, I was about to turn the world upside down.
*****
The walls around the Regent's Manor put the Marquis of Glory's estate to shame. They were way higher.
And the guards made the ones at the Marquis's place look downright friendly.
Armed with nothing but my sorry excuse for martial arts and a burning rage from being humiliated, I muscled my way over that wall.
Light spilled from the study, bright as day.
The moment I landed, a cold dagger was pressed right against my throat.
"Lady Victoria, sneaking in at this hour, are you tired of living?" A low, gravelly voice murmured right by my ear.
I stiffened, barely daring to breathe.
It was Peter.
He wore a loose black robe, the collar slightly open, revealing his muscular chest.
He idly played with a string of rosary, his gaze so cold it felt like he was staring right through me, as if I were already dead.
I summoned my courage and spoke up, even though my nerves were shot. "Lord Peter, I would like to strike a deal."
"A deal?" Peter echoed, a low, mocking laugh slipping out as he sheathed his dagger and casually settled back into his chair.
"So Wayne, that useless fool, ditched you in the bedroom, and now you come running to me, acting all crazy?"
He already knew everything.