Chapter 3

The whole place erupted in chaos.

Tears rolled down Charlotte's cheeks at the perfect moment. Then she started sniffling quietly.

Edward's face turned cold and hard. He stepped forward with a heavy, dominating presence that quieted the crowd at once. "I hate deception and unfairness above all things.

"Your Highness, you could have simply refused this draw arrangement if you didn't want to participate. There was no need for you to resort to such underhanded methods."

"Lord Edward is absolutely right."

"Princess Victoria doesn't deserve her title. She dishonors the entire royal family."

"She is nowhere near good enough for Lord Edward. She doesn't even deserve to be his concubine."

"Exactly. She has no right to compete for this spot. Her promises mean nothing now. She should be sent to the brothel like she'd sworn herself."

Edward's sharp words gave the crowd confidence to speak up.

They had held back their judgment out of respect for my royal rank, but they now let every insult fly freely. It was clear they all wanted to ruin my reputation and bring me down completely.

I lifted my eyes from the bowing servant and stared straight at Edward.

I recognized him instantly. This was the man who had held my hand down in my previous life while Edward forced me to swallow the abortion potion.

I finally realized why Edward had stayed so calm through everything. He had planned this whole setup from the start. He had planted this servant to destroy me the moment Charlotte failed to get the result she wanted.

I felt a sharp, bitter coldness settle in my chest. Edward actually threw every shred of his integrity away for Charlotte.

Edward mistook my silence for hurt and defeat amid the endless jeers. He reached out slowly and took my hand in a soft, soothing gesture. "Victoria, let this go.

"I will handle the draw myself. I will cut every slip and place them in the box with my own hands. I swear on my honor that the result will be completely fair. Is that okay with you?"

His touch was soft, and he wore a gentle, reassuring smile.

But all I felt at that moment was icy terror, like a venomous snake had wrapped itself around me.

A cold chill shot down my spine.

I pulled my hand away and looked him straight in the eye, refusing to defend myself.

My long silence wore away the crowd's patience.

The onlookers grew restless and started calling me ungrateful, fake, and self-absorbed.

A stocky soldier pushed through the crowd and shouted rudely in my direction, "You only want the wife's position, right? Fine. Marry me instead.

"I'm Marcus Stone. I only have a blind old mother at home. You would be my one and only official wife if you marry me."

Many people laughed and mocked him for being delusional, but his grin turned even more crude and bold as he said, "Why not? If I really end up marrying the princess, I wouldn't mind sharing her with my friends.

"I'll take ten days with her every month. The rest of the time, my friends can take turns for free. How's that sound?"

Loud laughter filled the entire place.

I locked eyes with Edward through all the public humiliation, yet he stood completely calm and unaffected.

He listened to every degrading insult thrown at me without even blinking an eye.

The atmosphere turned heavy and tense, freezing the whole scene in place.

Right as the tension peaked, Charlotte dried her tears and sank low before me in a show of submission. "Your Highness, I know I'm far beneath you in status. I could never compare to someone of your standing.

"You can have the position of his proper wife if you want it. I will happily step back. I only ask that you don't break Lord Edward's heart or let bad blood grow between you two."

She bowed her head, looking utterly humble and pitiful.

Her calculated move cornered me completely. I had no way to explain myself or escape the unfair trap she had set.

Edward rushed to steady Charlotte and pulled her firmly into his embrace, his face etched with tenderness and concern.

When he turned to look at me again, every ounce of his warmth faded, replaced by clear disappointment.

"Your Highness, social status has never been how I judge a person's worth," he said. "The woman I choose to marry must possess a pure and upright heart, no matter what hardships she endures.

"If you can't bring yourself to be that person, then we are simply not meant to be."

The crowd erupted into noise.

"Lord Edward speaks with true integrity."

"No wonder Lord Edward has always looked after Miss Linwood. Anyone would cherish such a kind and genuine young woman."

"She's nothing like Princess Victoria, who's rotten and scheming."

Hostile, judgmental stares pressed in on me from every direction, heavy enough to make my skin crawl.

I knew my reputation would be completely destroyed if I refused to proceed with the draw today.

Tucked safely in Edward's arms, Charlotte tilted her head up and shot me a blatant, triumphant look. Her smug victory was impossible to miss.

I curled my lips into a cold smirk and lifted my gaze toward the back of the crowd. My tone was calm and unshaken as I spoke, "I will draw the lots. Of course I will.

"I swore on my royal blood. A princess keeps her word, and I will never go back on what I have promised."