Chapter 2

After Edward was diagnosed as infertile, the atmosphere at Sinclair Manor turned suffocating.

He took out all his anger and frustration on me.

He never set foot in Magnolia Court again. Even when we happened to cross paths in the manor, his gaze was cold and indifferent, looking at me like I was just an eyesore. And sometimes, there was even a trace of anger directed at me.

It was as if being his wife who couldn't give him an heir was a sin in itself.

The supplements sent by the Household Office barely had time to warm my room before the head eunuch whisked them away without a second thought.

"Prince Edward has ordered that since you're perfectly healthy, you don't need these. Ms. Reed has been through a lot lately and isn't feeling well, so she needs them more than you do," the servant said.

That insincere smirk on his face was more disgusting to me than the devil himself.

I didn't argue. I just smiled and said, "Prince Edward is thoughtful. Vivian really could use extra care."

Soon enough, Vivian just happened to show up, flaunting a hairpin Edward had gifted her, crafted from the Imperial Pearl that was meant for me.

She wore a soft pink silk dress, looking so fragile and innocent that it almost made you want to pity her.

She grabbed my hand, her crimson-tipped nails so bright they almost hurt looking at.

Vivian put on her sweetest voice. "Charlotte, don't be upset. Prince Edward's just been in a bad mood lately. Look at you, you've gotten so thin."

She even went so far as to dab at the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, putting on a show, never mind that there wasn't a single tear.

"Don't worry, Charlotte. Whenever I get something good, I always save a share for you. This hairpin was given by Prince Edward yesterday. As soon as I got it, I thought it'd look even prettier on you than on me," she said.

She made a show of reaching up, as if she was really going to take it off for me.

I gently held her hand, my smile warm and graceful.

"Vivian, you're right. As long as Prince Edward is well, that's all that matters. The hairpin looks lovely on you. Wear it proudly, and don't let his thoughtfulness go to waste," I said.

News of my "generosity" and "good sense" got back to Edward in no time.

That evening, he actually stepped into Magnolia Court, a rare occurrence these days.

I thought maybe he'd say something.

Even a perfunctory word of comfort would have been something.

But he just stood at the doorway, his eyes cold as ever, barely lingering on me before settling on Rose, my maid, standing behind me.

"You've been rather magnanimous lately, Charlotte," Edward said.

His tone made it impossible to tell if he was complimenting me or mocking me.

I lowered my gaze and answered dutifully, "Your Royal Highness, it's my duty as your wife to ease your worries."

He pulled his lips into a smile that held no warmth at all.

"That's for the best," he said.

With that, he turned and walked away, not sparing me another glance.

I watched him go, and it was as if a freezing wind had swept right through my chest, leaving it hollow and cold.

The real humiliation hit me a few days later, late at night.

I was fast asleep when my bedroom door was suddenly kicked open.

Edward barged in, reeking of alcohol.

He didn't even look at me. He went straight to my vanity and grabbed a fancy little rosewood box.

My heart dropped in that instant.

Inside was the only keepsake my mother ever left me, a piece of incense meant to bring peace and comfort.

"Your Royal Highness, what are you doing?" I blurted out, not caring about manners.

I scrambled out of bed, not even bothering to put on my shoes.

He turned around, his eyes hazy with drink, but the coldness in them was crystal clear.

"Vivian says she keeps having nightmares and can't sleep well. I remember you have some incense here. It smells nice. She should like it," he said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

He said it as if he was just picking up something that was his.

My blood ran cold.

"No!" I shouted.

I rushed over, blocking his path and holding the box protectively, refusing to let go.

"Your Royal Highness, this is the only thing my mother left me. Take anything you want from me, but please, not this," I pleaded.

This was the first time I'd ever stood up to him so directly.

His drunkenness seemed to vanish, replaced by pure outrage at my audacity.

Edward snapped, "Charlotte Sinclair, you're out of line."

He fixed his gaze on me, eyes cold and predatory.

"You really think some keepsake matters more than Vivian herself?" he spat.

His words felt like a dagger dipped in poison, stabbing right into my heart.

I looked at him, and the tears I'd been holding back finally came pouring out, unstoppable.

I'd loved him for five years, cried over three lost children for him, and in the end, not even my mother's only keepsake could compare to a single nightmare from his precious Vivian.

I fell down, prostrating myself at his feet, letting go of every last shred of dignity.

"Your Royal Highness, I'm begging you. Please, just give me the incense back. I'll say sorry to Vivian. I'll wait on her myself, anything you want. Just please, give it back to me..." I sobbed.

But my begging didn't move him at all. Instead, he just found a new way to put me down.

He gave me a careless kick to the shoulder.

It wasn't even that strong, but I still ended up sprawled on the floor.

The rosewood box slipped from my hands and rolled right to his feet.

He bent down, picked it up, and without even looking at me, turned and walked away.

"Since you're so sincere, starting tomorrow, you'll move into Rainview Pavilion and attend to Vivian. She's not well and needs someone to look after her," Edward said.

His back disappeared into the night, cold and unyielding.

I collapsed on the freezing floor, shaking all over.

Deep down, something inside me broke for good, crumbling to dust along with my mother's keepsake.

The next day, everyone at Sinclair Manor saw it with their own eyes. I, the fallen princess, personally packed my few belongings and moved into Rainview Pavilion, Vivian's residence.

I made coffee for her, served her meals, and even fanned her while she napped.

Everyone thought I'd finally accepted my fate, so desperate to survive, I'd thrown away every last shred of pride.

Vivian looked at me, her eyes smug and openly scornful.

She enjoyed being waited on without a care, tossing out criticisms whenever she felt like it.

"Charlotte, this tea is way too hot," Vivian complained.

"Charlotte, these cakes aren't sweet enough," she said with a pout.

"Charlotte, the way you're fanning me is making my head hurt," she whined.

Every time, I just smiled and went along with it, hiding any resentment deep inside.

"I'm sorry, Vivian. Please don't be upset. I'll redo it for you," I replied softly.

I was as meek as a declawed kitten.

But that was just for show. Only I knew what was really going on.

I was just biding my time.

I was waiting for the real spectacle to begin, a joke so grand it would put everything else to shame.

And the main act of this farce was about to make its entrance.