Chapter 2

The next morning, as I touched the cold side of the bed beside me, a plan began to form in my mind.

I summoned my maid and instructed her to deliver my gemstone pendant to the shopkeeper of the biggest bookshop in Ylodon.

Only after I received the shopkeeper's reply did I finally feel relieved.

As usual, the servant brought in breakfast and said, "My lady, breakfast is served. Lord Lucian is tied up with important matters today, so he won't be joining you for breakfast. But he'll definitely be back before dinner."

After we got married, Lucian's mother, Matilda Harrow, was never fond of me.

To shield me from her disapproval, Lucian went out of his way to ask Matilda to grant me the privilege of having breakfast on my own.

I ate breakfast absentmindedly, my gaze drifting, when I happened to notice that a statue on the shelf was askew.

As I gently straightened it, I noticed something unusual about its base.

Taking a deep breath, I carefully twisted the base, and suddenly, a glimmer of light shone from behind the painting across from the statue.

There was a secret room hidden behind the painting.

I found myself clutching my chest, my heart racing as I nervously crept into the hidden chamber.

The secret room was lined with portraits of women who resembled me. But on closer inspection, I could see we weren't quite the same.

It was unmistakably Alice Belmont, my sister.

On the table in the secret room lay a wooden box.

Though the box looked simple and a bit rough, the gleaming carving knife beside it told me all I needed to know.

Lucian must have carved this box himself, every mark made by his own hand.

Suddenly, it hit me. Alice's birthday was right around now. Ever since she got pregnant, everyone at Harrow Manor treated her like she was made of glass.

I hardly ever got to see her at all.

Matilda's birthday party was the only chance Lucian had to see Alice.

As the daughter of the crown prince's mentor, Alice had seen it all. There was nothing that could truly dazzle her. What mattered most to her was the sentiment behind the gift.

Lucian was expressing his feelings for her in his own unique way.

He was all thumbs when it came to handiwork, so he must've put in a crazy amount of effort to carve this box.

It was no wonder he had been sporting those dark circles under his eyes for weeks.

And there I was, trying every soup recipe I could think of, thinking I was doing him a favor.

I went pale, my heart pounding, when I suddenly heard noises coming from outside.

Not daring to linger, I rushed out and quickly set the statue back where it belonged.

Staring at the statue, its calm face gave nothing away, and suddenly, memories of my childhood came rushing back.

Lucian and Edmund, the two young heirs of the Harrow fmaily, grew up as childhood friends with Alice and me.

From the very beginning, Edmund always knew he was destined to marry me. After all, I was the eldest daughter of the crown prince's mentor.

Every time we met up, so no one would gossip, Edmund would bring Lucian along, and I'd bring Alice.

The Harrow brothers were always circling around me. Trying to avoid any rumors, I'd make a point of keeping my distance from Lucian, thinking I was being clever about it.

Whatever I wanted, the two brothers would spoil me and make sure I got it.

In truth, what they meant to offer was always the "extra" gift meant for Alice.

As I pondered all this, the afternoon sun began to slant low, and my face grew wet with tears.

The folks in the front hall had been calling for me for ages. Moving like a lifeless shell, I made my way there.

The humiliation I had suffered, the horror of that night, had been Lucian's doing, so that Alice could marry the man she loved. Even now, the memory made cold sweat trickle down my back.

My chest was left a wreck, bruised and battered beyond belief.

The doctor spent the entire night just trying to peel away the shredded clothes from my bloodied, broken body.

But through all of it, Lucian didn't show a shred of remorse.

My maid noticed and quietly asked if I was feeling unwell. Only then did I realize that just the memories alone had left my back drenched in cold sweat, soaking right through my clothes.

I rushed back to my room to tidy myself up. By the time I made it to the birthday party, Matilda didn't waste any time before snapping at me.

She scolded, "You're a useless hen who can't lay eggs! You think you can put on airs and show up late? Do you still fancy yourself the precious daughter of the crown prince's mentor?"

Then, a voice rang out. "Mother, don't be so harsh on Eleanor. We're still young. We'll figure things out. Besides, it's Edmund who's set to inherit the manor, and you'll be holding your grandchild soon enough!"

Lucian hadn't even stepped into the room yet, but I could already hear his voice defending me. He was holding that wooden box.

At that moment, Alice, standing beside Matilda, carried herself with all the poise of the future Lady Harrow.

She said, "That's right. Eleanor is my little sister and her sister-in-law. I am already expecting. Matilda, you really don't have to worry anymore. Just take it easy."

Matilda gave Alice's hand a gentle, loving pat, but when she turned to me, she looked at me with nothing but disdain.

She mocked, "You're both Lord Thomas's daughters, and you're supposed to be the eldest daughter, but how come you fall so short compared to your sister?"

I instinctively lowered my head, but out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Lucian.

He hesitated, then awkwardly handed Alice the wooden box and said, "Alice, this is a birthday gift Eleanor and I prepared for you. Hope you like it."

Inside the box lay a sparkling hairpin, its design so distinctive it was clearly Lucian's own handiwork.

When Alice gave him a satisfied smile, Lucian looked joyful. He was so excited he almost jumped for joy.

I'd never seen him light up like that when he was with me.