Chapter 1
I had been away from the capital for three months, only to return and find my betrothed, Edward Payne, with a "cousin" clinging to his sleeve.
At the welcome party, she had the gall to flaunt herself in my very own wedding gown.
Edward looked helpless. "Melanie is but a child—"
A sharp slap cut him dead.
"Shut up," I commanded.
I smiled. "It seems I have been far too indulgent with you, haven't I?"
*****
Three months prior, I had departed for the Northern Provinces to assist the Princess with the relief efforts. Upon my return to the capital, Edward hosted a gala in my honor.
As I stepped into Payne Manor, I spied a girl of perhaps 16 standing in the garden pavilion. She was draped in a royal bridal gown, shining and eye-catching.
Hearing footsteps, Melanie Sutton turned around. "Edward—"
She faltered, looking me up and down with a calculated gaze. Then she smiled. "You must be Edward's intended."
Her voice took on a melodic, airy quality as she noticed my eyes fixed upon her attire. "Lady Charlotte, your wedding gown is simply divine.
"Lady Payne mentioned it took a dozen seamstresses from the palace over six months to stitch. She saw how much I admired it and insisted I try it on. Who would have thought it would fit me so perfectly?"
Her smile was so innocent, as if she were completely naive about the world.
I smirked. I had known Edward for years; he was a man of meticulous order. In his household, the staff moved like clockwork and observed the strictest decorum.
For Melanie to act with such reckless abandon without a word of protest meant only one thing. She had his full blessing.
A reunion after such a long parting ought to have been a joyous affair. Instead, I was met with quite the "surprise."
Alas, I was never meant to be the tragic heroine of some poor scholar's fantasy stories, the sort of woman who, even as a dowager queen, would stand defenseless and wait for a knight to gallantly intervene.
I had no need for a savior; I had more than enough guards with me.
"Insolent girl!" Jane delivered a sharp blow to Melanie's cheek that sent her reeling. "How dare you presume such familiarity in the presence of Lady Charlotte?"
Melanie's smile withered instantly. As she glanced behind me, her eyes instantly filled with tears.
"It was my ignorance that offended Lady Charlotte," she sobbed, trembling. "I beg of you, do not take your anger out on Edward or Lady Payne. If blood must be spilled, let it be mine... I am prepared to pay the ultimate price."
It turned out Edward had returned. His cold features softened with warmth the moment he saw me. But the next second, hearing Melanie's words and seeing her draped in my wedding finery, he was stunned.
He strode over and caught Melanie just as she was about to throw herself at a pillar. Then he turned to me. "Charlotte, please, Melanie is only—"
"Silence," I said calmly. "And as for that rag she is wearing, burn it."
At my word, Jane signaled the maids to hold Melanie down and strip her of the wedding dress.
By special royal decree, the king and queen had granted me the honor of wearing the Royal Bridal Gown, a garment strictly reserved for princesses of the blood.
For Melanie to drape herself in it was high treason. And Edward, as master of this house, was complicit in her sacrilege.
Edward looked at me with a weary, patronizing air, attempting to take my hand. "She is but a child who knows no better, Charlotte. Surely you aren't so petty as to hold a grudge against a girl?"
In the flickering light of the bonfire, Melanie hovered behind Edward. Her eyes were wet with tears, but her gaze was sharp with silent provocation.
I couldn't help but laugh.
"For insulting the Crown and offending a Lady of the Realm," I announced, looking directly at the shivering girl, "you shall receive ten lashes of the rod. Consider it a lesson in humility."
The color drained from Melanie's face. She looked to Edward, her eyes pleading for protection.
Edward frowned. "Charlotte..."
With a smack, I raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face. His words died in his throat.