I Seek No Love From Him

Synopsis

Edward Fairchild was a man famous across Jelasburg for his relentless pursuit of perfect fairness. In his eyes, I, Victoria Windsor, held no more worth as the princess than any ordinary courtesan in the city's brothels. He had decided to leave the choice of his legal wife entirely to a random draw of lots. In my previous life, I loved and respected him deeply, so I openly agreed to his unusual arrangement. When they drew lots, Charlotte Linwood got picked as his wife, and I was left with no choice but to be his concubine. After we married, his obsession with being fair grew even more extreme. Charlotte had grown up poor with very few assets of her own before marriage, so he broke into my personal treasury and split all my wealth equally between her and me. Later, Charlotte had a miscarriage and found out she could never have children again. To even things out, he forced me to drink an abortion potion to end my own pregnancy. I faded away slowly after that, growing thin and frail until I was barely alive. Edward only stayed by my bedside when I was on my deathbed, his voice full of guilt as he said, "Victoria, I've spent my whole life chasing fairness and justice, but I cheated that day during the draw. "I only put Charlotte's name in the box. "Still, I'd do it again. Charlotte had no one to rely on in this world. If she'd been stuck as my concubine, you would have made her life miserable. I failed you in this life. If there's a next life, I will make you my one and only lawful wife." Cold, burning hatred washed over me as I stared at him with bloodshot eyes. But I could do nothing. I died drowning in pure rage, certain my suffering was finally over. I never thought I'd wake up again, much less go back to the day I agreed to let him draw lots for his proper wife.