Chapter 2

I looked at John Lowe, who was standing by and watching the ceremony, my face full of worry. Humbly, I asked, "Mr. Lowe, this is a matter of great consequence. I really can't make this decision on my own.

"The marriage between the Grand Tutor's residence and the Martial Marquis was personally decreed by the King.

"If Mr. Warren insists on marrying an urn as his official wife and making me his secondary... wouldn't that be defying the imperial decree? Or even deceiving the throne?"

As soon as I spoke, the room remembered. Yes, this marriage had reached the King's ears. It was his order.

Yet here in the hall, Henry was announcing he wanted to marry a ghost.

John considered, then replied carefully, "By imperial decree, Miss Evans is the rightful wife of the Marquess. For His Lordship to take Lydia as wife would not align with the King's command."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw David's face go pale. Good. His little scheme just collapsed. Now he was probably worried for his mistress's daughter.

I turned to Henry, all gentle trouble. "My lord, we cannot ignore the King's word.

"How about this? After the wedding, Lydia shall enter the Warren family as your second wife. That way, she's still part of the household.

"She saved your life. She must be kind. I doubt she cares much about titles. I'll pray and tell her, in my heart, there's no difference between us, no matter what the world says. She'll understand."

Henry's face turned sour, clearly wanting to protest.

But I spoke first. "Unless... you only wish for Lydia to join the family. Then I have another idea. She wouldn't have to settle. She could still be an official wife."

Hope flickered in his eyes. "What idea?"

I smiled softly. "I heard your younger brother died on the battlefield at eighteen, unmarried. Why not let Lydia become his bride?

"She could be his wife, so he wouldn't be alone in the afterlife. It's a fitting match. Your brother would have company."

The moment I finished, Henry snapped, "Absolutely not!"

I stared, all wide-eyed innocence. "Why not? I thought you wanted her in your family."

"She saved me," he shot back, voice tight. "I swore I'd marry her. How can I break that vow?"

Really We were engaged as children. He promised to return and marry me. Yet he broke his word, fell for someone else, and even plotted against me for her sake.

I kept my face a mask of innocence. "You and Lydia hardly knew each other. I'm only making sure she has the status of your rightful wife, that's all."

Henry's mother, Mary, spoke up. "I think Charlotte is being quite reasonable.

"Your brother died before he could marry. Let Lydia be wed to him. Then he'll have companionship even in the afterlife."

The guests murmured in agreement. "What a clever solution. Two weddings at once."

"The life debt is repaid, and William won't be alone down below."

I watched Henry's expression darken by the second.

Let's see how he liked it. His precious Lydia married his dead brother's spirit. How would she come back from that? Even if she returned, she'd be a widow in the eyes of the world.

Mary made the decision. "Then it's settled. Bring out William's urn, and prepare Lydia's for the ceremony. It seems the Warren family will have a double celebration today."

Servants hurried in with William's urn. A maid lifted Lydia's. The wedding was about to begin.

"Stop the ceremony!" Henry shouted.

"Mr. Warren—" came a soft, trembling voice.

I turned. Just as I expected, it was Lydia. She'd rushed here after hearing the news.

When Henry returned to the capital, he'd already hidden Lydia away on Rose Street, waiting until after our wedding to present her as his lawful wife.

I remembered the address from my previous life and sent my brother there.

He'd made a scene right outside her gate, shouting about how the Warrens were marrying her off to William. The whole street was buzzing.

When Lydia heard, she panicked. This wasn't the plan at all.

She was supposed to marry Henry, not his brother. She was never going to be Mrs. Warren then.

All eyes turned to her. Henry was stunned. "What are you doing here?"

I stood beside Henry in my wedding gown, the picture of a golden couple. Lydia's eyes burned with jealousy as she stared at us.

She stumbled forward, nearly falling. "Mr. Warren, it's me, Lydia. I'm alive!"

Before anyone could react, she threw herself into Henry's arms, sobbing. "A kind soul saved me... I traveled all the way to the capital. Finally, I've found you."

Henry looked moved, then turned to me. "Charlotte, Lydia is alive. Marrying her to my brother would ruin her. Why not just let her be my second wife?"

Finally, the mask slipped. His true colors were on display for everyone to see.