Chapter 2
Julian sat at the desk, his intense gaze locked on me, silently waiting for me to say something.
"Your Highness, I came today because I heard some rumors," I started.
Julian's brows knitted together, his eyes flashing with murderous intent.
It felt like if I dared say anything treasonous, I'd be thrown straight into the dungeons, like those ministers from the previous regime who got locked up for gossiping a few days ago.
My father had said Julian hated anyone meddling in his decisions or criticizing his authority.
[Isabelle, if you so much as mention marrying someone else, he'll throw you into his love dungeon for some possessive romance.]
[Oh, I love tough love. Isabelle, just say you want to call off the engagement. I'm dying to see him go totally nuts.]
[Wanna bet? If Isabelle dumps Julian, will he totally lose it and make the Sinclair family suffer, especially her childhood sweetheart, Edmund Wade?]
"Whatever rumors you've heard, pay them no mind. I make my own decisions," Julian said.
His voice was calm, but it sent a chill straight through me, cold sweat prickling down my spine.
When Julian first proposed the marriage alliance, my father had considered turning him down. He said Julian was brilliant, but ruthless and vengeful, definitely not the kind of man I should marry.
My father was always spot-on when it came to judging people.
I didn't want to keep worrying, so I carefully asked, "Your Highness, does that mean I should just focus on getting ready to be your bride?"
Julian nodded.
Well, since he wasn't planning to switch brides before the big day, I could stop overthinking and trying to make way for Lydia.
Now that he said he had his own plans, maybe he still needed my family's support, or maybe he had something else lined up for Lydia.
Either way, it wasn't my place to ask.
*****
When I got back home, Edmund was by the lake with Lucas, drowning their sorrows over drinks.
The Wades and my family had been close for generations. Edmund and I grew up together, getting scolded by our teachers and sneaking out to play.
To me, he was as trustworthy as Lucas.
He always knew I was meant to marry Adrian, so he'd never acted out of line with me.
I wasn't far off, so I overheard Lucas venting to Edmund over drinks.
He said if I ended up in the palace, he'd worry he couldn't keep me safe.
But if I broke off the engagement, he feared no one else would ever want me, with two ex-fiancés already in my history.
Edmund answered, "If Isabelle really calls it quits and nobody in Betrico dares to marry her, I'll take her back to my hometown, far away from all the gossip here.
"I'm just a bastard son, so it's no big deal if I leave. As long as you guys don't care about my status, I'm fine with it."
Edmund's hometown was near Moorebeck, known for its wide-open spaces, rolling green pastures, and herds of cattle and sheep. It was a place that seemed peaceful and free.
Something in my heart stirred at the thought.
Actually, Edmund was in love with Joanna White, but she was about to become his sister-in-law. No way they'd be together.
Lucas was so drunk he couldn't even answer Edmund, so I hurriedly ordered a servant to help him back to his room.
Edmund could always hold his liquor. His eyes were sharp as ever, not a hint of drunkenness in them.
I gave him a smile. "Lucas is just worried about me. I talked to Julian this afternoon. He's not planning to replace me. So I guess you won't have to come to my rescue."
The Comments suddenly blew up.
[Isabelle, you're exactly the kind of decisive woman I love. You straight-up told Edmund how it is.]
[You and Edmund are such good friends. Why not go beg Julian to let Joanna marry Edmund instead? She's into him too, but only pushed him away because of family pressure.]
[Yeah, I'm all for happy endings. But that tyrant isn't easy to deal with. And Edmund's brother and Joanna are a perfect match, while Edmund's just the illegitimate son. This won't be easy.]
[Damn, why is Julian here? If he sees this, he'll get the wrong idea. He might lose it and go on a rampage on the spot.]