Chapter 2

I was escorted back to Serenity Palace in a grand procession.

The palace had already been cleaned spotless and filled with rich incense, exactly the same as before I was thrown into the isolated royal quarters.

It was as if those days of gnawing on stale buns and living with rats had only been a nightmare.

Richard's rewards poured in like water, silk, jewels, tonics, and rare medicines, enough to fill the entire storeroom.

He even sent Charles Lewis, his most trusted chief eunuch, to personally stand guard at Serenity Palace's gate. Officially it was for "protection," but really it was surveillance.

The mood in the harem changed overnight. The consorts who once avoided me like the plague were now fighting to send gifts and pay their respects, each one wearing a fake, flattering smile.

The most eager of them all was Richard's newest favorite, Lady Charlotte.

She walked in swaying gracefully, dressed in luxurious robes and dripping in jewels, making her already striking face look even more severe.

She said, "Lady Sinclair, you're finally back. I've been worried sick about you these past few days."

She took my hand with fake warmth, her bright red painted nails digging almost hard enough to break my skin.

I pulled my hand away and smiled faintly. "That’s sweet of you to care. I was doing fine in the isolated royal quarters. As for you, with me gone, I bet you’ve been living the high life with the King, haven’t you?"

Lady Charlotte’s face paled instantly, then she forced her composure back. "What nonsense you speak, Lady Sinclair? In His Majesty's heart, you're naturally the most important one.

And now that you're carrying the royal heir, you're a blessing to our Kingdom of Albion. I'm happy for you."

As she spoke, she pushed an embroidered box toward me. "I specially found this thousand-year ginseng for you. It's the best thing for nourishment. I hope you won't dislike it."

I opened the box, and a thick medicinal scent hit my face.

Grace looked delighted and was about to reach for it, but one look from me stopped her cold.

"How thoughtful of you." I closed the box and pushed it back.

"But the royal physician said my pregnancy is unstable right now, so heavy tonics aren't a good idea. Since this ginseng is so precious, you should keep it for yourself. Maybe it'll help you give the King a child sooner." I said.

I deliberately stressed the words "give the King a child."

Lady Charlotte's face darkened instantly. She had entered the palace for three years and never fallen out of favor, yet her belly had shown no sign of life.

That had long become her greatest sore spot.

She forced a smile and awkwardly took the box back. "Then, I won't disturb your rest any longer, Lady Sinclair."

As I watched her leave in a fluster, Grace asked in confusion, "Why didn't you take the ginseng? That's good stuff."

I let out a cold laugh, picked up the pregnancy tonic beside me, and lightly tested it with a silver needle. The tip of the silver needle turned pitch-black at once.

Grace gasped and clapped a hand over her mouth.

I sneered, "Of course she wants me to 'nourish myself well.' Ideally, both mother and child would die, and she'd never have to worry again."

I tossed the needle to the floor, my gaze icy. "In this harem, she's far from the only one who wants me dead."

Grace looked terrified. "Then what do we do?"

"Don't be afraid."I patted her hand reassuringly. "I used to be too naive. I thought staying out of everyone's way would buy me peace. But since they want to fight, then I'll fight them to the bitter end."

From that day on, Serenity Palace became a fortress. Every bit of food and every item brought in had to pass three rounds of inspection.

I put Grace in charge of the small kitchen and used only our own people.

Richard also started visiting me more and more often. He no longer spoke to me with the cold contempt he used to. Instead, he often showed an awkward kind of concern.

He’d send all the servants away and personally serve me food, making sure everything he put in my bowl was what the royal physicians said was best for pregnant women.

He’d sit beside me and watch me sew for hours on end, even if we didn’t exchange a single word.

Once, he even reached out, wanting to touch my belly.

The instant his fingertips brushed my clothes, disgust hit me almost on instinct, and I jerked backward.

The whole room went dead silent.

His hand stiffened in midair. The warmth on his face shattered piece by piece, and he turned back into that dark, sinister King.

"What’s this? Am I not allowed to touch you?" He asked sharply.

My heart tightened. I knew I'd overreacted.

I hurriedly lowered my head and put on a frightened look. "Forgive me, Your Majesty. I was nervous. The royal physician said the first three months are the most important. I was afraid of disturbing the royal child."

It was a perfect excuse, no room for him to doubt it.

Richard's expression eased a little. He withdrew his hand, though his tone stayed stiff. "Take care of yourself. My first child cannot be allowed to come to harm."

After saying that, he got up and left, his back resolute.

I stared at the empty palace doorway and finally let out a long breath. I couldn't let him touch me, and I definitely couldn't let him notice my disgust.

I had to keep him trapped in the fantasy that he was about to have a son, while also making it clear that this child was my only bargaining chip.

Only then could I safely give birth to him.

Only then could I use him to avenge my family and Alexander.

Late at night, when all was quiet, I would take out a small tiger-shaped pendant, worn so smooth it was barely recognizable anymore. It was what Alexander had dropped the night he left in a panic.

I gripped it tightly in my palm, and the cold stone seemed to give me a little strength.

Alexander, trust me.

I'll raise your child well.

He'll take back everything that should have been yours.