Chapter 2

I let the silence stretch.

Finally, I said, "No."

Adrian’s expression shifted instantly.

"What did you say?"

"I didn't do it." I held his gaze without flinching. "Victoria was not buried in the royal cemetery."

"Claire!" he snapped, his voice cracking like a whip. "You dared to defy my dying wish?"

Before I could answer, the royal secretary’s voice echoed from outside the door.

"Your Majesty, Miss Vale has arrived."

Adrian immediately swallowed his fury, adjusting his collar.

"Let her in."

The heavy doors swung open.

Victoria strode in, wearing a sharp, crimson military uniform.

Her eyes darted to me first, scanning for injuries. Only after confirming I was unharmed did she turn and salute.

"Your Majesty."

I gave her a tiny shake of my head, but the back of my throat burned.

It was exactly like our past life. No matter the situation, she always put me first.

Adrian reached out, attempting to help her up himself. His voice softened into something almost sickeningly sweet.

"Victoria, what are you doing here?"

Victoria sidestepped his hand smoothly and positioned herself right beside me.

"I heard you summoned Claire. I was concerned, so I came to check on her."

She subtly shifted, placing herself directly between me and the King.

Adrian’s eyes darkened.

"Victoria, just give me a little time. I’ll have true control of the factions soon."

"When that happens, I’ll end all these arrangements. I will give you everything you want."

Victoria looked at him with absolute calm.

"You only think I'm special because I saved your life once, and because I didn't fawn over you like everyone else."

"When I distanced myself because of your status, you just couldn't let it go."

"But not being able to have something isn't love, Adrian."

Adrian’s face turned ashen.

Victoria took my hand.

"Claire, we’re leaving."

Once we were out of the palace, I couldn't hold back the question.

"Victoria, do you really not feel anything for him?"

She looked at me, her expression entirely serious.

"He stands too high. Everyone around him exists to please him. I was the only one who didn't, so I was a novelty."

"That isn't love."

"Claire, remember this. If you want to know if a man loves you, don't listen to what he says. Watch what he does."

"He said he would clear out those women, but has he started? He said he would give me the only seat beside him, but has he ever rejected anyone else's advances?"

She shook her head.

"Promises cost nothing until someone acts on them."

I stared at her, stunned.

In our past life, Adrian hadn't loved me. That was why he could watch me suffer and do nothing.

When we returned to the Vale estate, the palace had already sent a massive haul of gifts.

Victoria barely glanced at the crates.

"Keep them. When you get married, they’ll add to your security."

She pulled me into her private sitting room and hauled out a thick stack of portraits and dossiers.

"Mother passed early, and Father is always stationed at the Northern Border. Your marriage is my responsibility."

Every file detailed family background, temperament, education, and assets. They were all eligible, unmarried men in Crown City.

My eyes grew hot.

Victoria had never looked down on me for my birth. Every man in this pile had been ruthlessly vetted by her own hand.

"Victoria..."

She smiled. "Take a look. See anyone you like?"

"With me here, you are going to marry with dignity, security, and every bit of confidence you deserve."

I flipped through the files one by one until my eyes landed on a specific dossier.

Victoria leaned over my shoulder.

"You like this one?"

I nodded.

"Him."

"I think he's a great choice too," she beamed. "I'll go meet with him tomorrow. Once your marriage is settled, I can finally head to the Northern Border with peace of mind."

I snapped my head up and grabbed her arm.

"You're going to the Northern Border?"

Chapter 2

I let the silence stretch.

Finally, I said, "No."

Adrian’s expression shifted instantly.

"What did you say?"

"I didn't do it." I held his gaze without flinching. "Victoria was not buried in the royal cemetery."

"Claire!" he snapped, his voice cracking like a whip. "You dared to defy my dying wish?"

Before I could answer, the royal secretary’s voice echoed from outside the door.

"Your Majesty, Miss Vale has arrived."

Adrian immediately swallowed his fury, adjusting his collar.

"Let her in."

The heavy doors swung open.

Victoria strode in, wearing a sharp, crimson military uniform.

Her eyes darted to me first, scanning for injuries. Only after confirming I was unharmed did she turn and salute.

"Your Majesty."

I gave her a tiny shake of my head, but the back of my throat burned.

It was exactly like our past life. No matter the situation, she always put me first.

Adrian reached out, attempting to help her up himself. His voice softened into something almost sickeningly sweet.

"Victoria, what are you doing here?"

Victoria sidestepped his hand smoothly and positioned herself right beside me.

"I heard you summoned Claire. I was concerned, so I came to check on her."

She subtly shifted, placing herself directly between me and the King.

Adrian’s eyes darkened.

"Victoria, just give me a little time. I’ll have true control of the factions soon."

"When that happens, I’ll end all these arrangements. I will give you everything you want."

Victoria looked at him with absolute calm.

"You only think I'm special because I saved your life once, and because I didn't fawn over you like everyone else."

"When I distanced myself because of your status, you just couldn't let it go."

"But not being able to have something isn't love, Adrian."

Adrian’s face turned ashen.

Victoria took my hand.

"Claire, we’re leaving."

Once we were out of the palace, I couldn't hold back the question.

"Victoria, do you really not feel anything for him?"

She looked at me, her expression entirely serious.

"He stands too high. Everyone around him exists to please him. I was the only one who didn't, so I was a novelty."

"That isn't love."

"Claire, remember this. If you want to know if a man loves you, don't listen to what he says. Watch what he does."

"He said he would clear out those women, but has he started? He said he would give me the only seat beside him, but has he ever rejected anyone else's advances?"

She shook her head.

"Promises cost nothing until someone acts on them."

I stared at her, stunned.

In our past life, Adrian hadn't loved me. That was why he could watch me suffer and do nothing.

When we returned to the Vale estate, the palace had already sent a massive haul of gifts.

Victoria barely glanced at the crates.

"Keep them. When you get married, they’ll add to your security."

She pulled me into her private sitting room and hauled out a thick stack of portraits and dossiers.

"Mother passed early, and Father is always stationed at the Northern Border. Your marriage is my responsibility."

Every file detailed family background, temperament, education, and assets. They were all eligible, unmarried men in Crown City.

My eyes grew hot.

Victoria had never looked down on me for my birth. Every man in this pile had been ruthlessly vetted by her own hand.

"Victoria..."

She smiled. "Take a look. See anyone you like?"

"With me here, you are going to marry with dignity, security, and every bit of confidence you deserve."

I flipped through the files one by one until my eyes landed on a specific dossier.

Victoria leaned over my shoulder.

"You like this one?"

I nodded.

"Him."

"I think he's a great choice too," she beamed. "I'll go meet with him tomorrow. Once your marriage is settled, I can finally head to the Northern Border with peace of mind."

I snapped my head up and grabbed her arm.

"You're going to the Northern Border?"