Chapter 3

I stood there, stunned, then rushed over to him. "Do you want me to go through with this marriage alliance too?" I asked.

He lowered his gaze, looking conflicted, and tried to change the subject. "I... I have someone I love."

In that moment, I finally understood. All that tenderness I thought I saw was just my own wishful thinking.

In the end, I still went through with the marriage alliance to the Vermillion Kingdom.

He came to see me off, but it wasn't really for me. The one he loved was waiting for him in the Vermillion Kingdom.

While the marriage alliance entourage stopped at an inn, the Vermillion Kingdom sent someone to treat my eyes. During that time, Nelson was rarely around. He was off visiting the one he loved.

How could I not know? The joy in his eyes was impossible to conceal. Whenever he had a free moment, he'd try to comfort me, telling me that Winston, the Crown Prince of the Vermillion Kingdom, was a decent man.

I just listened quietly, never uttering a word.

On the eve of the wedding, my eyes were finally healed. Knowing it would lead nowhere, the moment I regained my sight, I still rushed to find him.

Snowflakes drifted down as I walked through the long bamboo corridor of the courtyard. I gently pushed open the bamboo door, only to witness the scene I dreaded most.

Behind the green curtains, two figures were entwined. Nelson's voice was soft, filled with a tenderness I'd never heard from him before. "Once Zora's married, we'll spend some time in the southern lands and live as an ordinary couple."

The woman's voice was sweet and delicate. "Alright, honey..."

The curtains swayed, spilling a hint of passion. She pressed him beneath her, his collar undone. Beneath his collarbone, a peach blossom was inked. Her fingertips traced over it, and a red mark bloomed, like a new spring shoot.

This was the first time I truly saw his face, and it happened in the worst way possible.

He saw me too, panic flooding his eyes. "Zora! Why are you here?"

He pushed the woman aside and jumped out of bed, but I turned and ran as fast as I could.

I waited, hoping he'd chase after me. If he did, I'd fight for him against that woman. If he didn't...

But he never did.

Behind me, the woman's voice called out, "Nelson, stop! What's the point of chasing after her? Can you even marry her?"

He said nothing, and never came out.

I crouched beneath the corridor, letting silent tears fall. Snowflakes landed on my shoulders, melted into icy water, and chilled me to the bone.

Eventually, I married Winston.

He was still longing for Rae, and I couldn't let go of Nelson. Our union was nothing but a ridiculous arrangement, just two people getting what they needed, nothing more.

But in the heat of an argument with Winston, I blurted out Nelson's name, almost as if fate was playing tricks on me.

Winston was so arrogant; he could obsess over someone else all he wanted, but he'd never tolerate me having feelings for another man.

He exploded, clutching my wrist so hard it hurt, his eyes practically blazing. "Who the hell is Nelson?"

I shivered, and he shouted, "I can't stand fickle women!"

He snatched up a pillow, about to strike me, but stopped himself abruptly. "I don't hit women," he spat, then stormed out in a fury.

I'd offended Winston, and my place as queen was hanging by a thread. Even the Silverpeak Kingdom might get caught up in the fallout.

So, I figured I might as well risk my life and put myself on the line.

If I died, it would put an end to everything. If I survived, maybe I could go back, back to the days before I ever met him, and try to find Nelson one more time.

The sorcerer said, whoever I focused on as I stepped into the formation, that was who I'd see.

So I poured every ounce of my will into thinking about Nelson, desperately hoping I could meet him earlier, before he ever had someone else in his heart.

As the blinding white light faded, I blinked awake to find it was already daytime. I was standing in an overgrown, abandoned courtyard, and from deep inside a dry well came the frantic sound of someone knocking stones against the wall.

I leaned over the well and called out softly, "Hey, anyone down there?"

The clattering from below suddenly grew urgent. I hurriedly found a thick rope, tossed it down, and hauled the person out.

He was a boy dressed in elegant robes, collapsed at the rim of the well, breathless and disheveled. His build was slender, his skin cool and pale, his features sharp and handsome, with a rebellious glint in his youthful eyes.

I wondered if he was Nelson.

But it didn't feel right. I was twenty-one then, and he looked barely thirteen or fourteen. The age gap was simply too wide.

He got up, shot me a proud look, and said, "Which palace do you belong to, Your Grace?"

His question made me jump to my feet, startled.

"Your Grace? Wait, are we still in the Vermillion Kingdom?" I blurted out.

I looked down and realized I was still dressed in my imperial robes. My heart sank. Did the formation not work? Did Winston just abandon me here, leaving me to survive on my own?

"I'm the queen of the Vermillion Kingdom," I said with a sigh.

The boy's wariness melted away, his tone casual, even tinged with sarcasm. "The queen died ages ago."

I let out a bitter smile.

He walked past me, tossing over his shoulder, "Anyway, thanks. I'll come see you again sometime."