Chapter 1

At eight, I had my imperial brother, Harold, made into a eunuch.

At ten, I slew my father's favored consort.

On her deathbed, my mother, made me swear I would commit no more sins and learn to treat others with sincerity.

Ten years passed, and my infamous name was nearly forgotten.

In time, I was betrothed to a most handsome man, Charles.

At a royal banquet, Charles's fake sister, Isabel, splashed me with scalding broth.

"So what if you're a princess?" she sneered. "Why should Charles bow to an old woman like you?"

Charles offered a placating smile. "Isabel is just a child, innocent and carefree.

"Unlike you, she doesn't understand courtly decorum. Please don't take it to heart."

They didn't notice that no one around us dared so much as breathe.

*****

I kept my smile steady. "Guards, have her beaten to death."

I didn't actively kill people, but if someone was begging for death, there was nothing I could do about it.

Charles stood frozen in place.

Before the banquet, I was still praying in the temple.

After years of abstaining from meat, I radiated the aura of a saint.

Even when I ran into people I didn't gel along as a child, I could keep my cool.

Charles and I had just gotten married when he was shipped off to guard the border.

Now he was back, and he brought along a girl who literally saved his life.

Lately, Charles had barely spent any time at my place, except when he was sleeping.

He'd been running around, showing Isabel the city and keeping her entertained. Busy as ever.

If it weren't for my father, William's birthday banquet today, I probably wouldn't have seen him at all.

I asked God if I should kill her.

God only smiled and stayed silent, just like me at this moment.

Isabel's face went pale.

The guards moved in at my command, but Charles stepped in to block them.

He shielded Isabel behind him, his brows furrowed tightly. "Over something so trivial, Melinda, are you really acting so irrationally and ready to take a life?"

I glanced up at him. There was neither anger nor joy in my eyes, no hint of madness or loss of control.

If my nanny were still here, she'd know that blood would be spilled today.

Charles's tall silhouette was mirrored in my gaze.

He had sharp brows and clear eyes, a truly handsome face.

If he weren't so attractive, I wouldn't have deigned to choose him as my husband.

Charles wasn't just good-looking. He was an outsider, only moved to the capital a few years back, and hadn't even heard of my infamous reputation.

The tension lingered in the air.

Charles sighed. "Melinda, Isabel's just a kid. Why are you so worked up about her?"

He told Isabel to apologize to me.

Isabel shuffled over, pouting. "Sorry, I didn't know the rules."

But she couldn't help but protest, "But Charles is your husband. How can you make him do all that for you, like bow to you and even pick up your handkerchief..."

I let out a derisive laugh. "Do you know what? Not only will I make him pick up my handkerchief, but tonight, I'll ride him like a horse."

Isabel's eyes widened in utter shock, like she couldn't believe what she'd just heard.

Charles hurried to cover her ears, his face full of disapproval as he spoke to me. "Melinda, that's enough.

"Isabel just became an adult. She shouldn't be hearing stuff like this."

Watching Charles protect her so fiercely, Isabel glanced at me with a triumphant smirk.

When Charles wasn't looking, Isabel stuck her tongue out at me and pulled a silly face.

Someone was dead set on forcing me to break my no-kill rule today.

Anyone who'd killed before knew. Killing was easy; dealing with the aftermath was the real headache.

If I was going to do it, I needed a legit excuse.

I turned back to Isabel, taking my time as I asked, "It's the emperor's birthday banquet. How did you even get in?"

"I brought Isabel," Charles replied. "She's just arrived and never been to a palace banquet, so I figured I'd let her see how things work.

"She's young and clueless. Cut her some slack..."

Charles brushed it off, acting like it was nothing but a trivial matter.

I smirked. "Even if she were your own mother, she still wouldn't be allowed in here."

Before Charles could get a word in, Isabel cut in angrily, "How dare you embarrass Charles like that?

"Do you even know what it means to be a wife?

"You say I don't know the rules? Seriously, you're the one who doesn't know how things work around here."

Isabel gave me a full-on scolding, not holding back for a second.

Once she finished, Charles patted her head indulgently. "Alright, alright, I know you understand the rules.

"But Melinda is the princess and my wife. You don't need to defend me."

Rules? If she was so keen on rules, I'd show her what true rules were.

I turned to my maid. "Summon the imperial guards.

"Inform them that I've discovered an intruder at the palace banquet, possibly here to plot against Father."

As soon as my words landed, Charles and Isabel were rooted to the spot.

Isabel's face drained of all color.

So the girl wasn't as naive as she looked.

Charles quickly caught on. He softened his tone. "Melinda, it's the emperor's birthday.

"Bloodshed isn't appropriate today, and disturbing him like this isn't right, is it?"

Charles had a point.

William's favorite woman and his most beloved son both died by my hand.

William's desire to see me dead had only grown stronger these past two years.

Seeing me fall silent, Charles let out a sigh of relief.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Charles subtly gesturing for someone to escort Isabel out.

Isabel cast several longing glances his way before reluctantly leaving.

I looked at Charles and reached out to touch his neck. His Adam's apple bobbed beneath my palm.

He fought the urge to pull away, but ended up wrapping his arms around me instead.

He said gently, "Melinda, I know you're upset that I've been neglecting you these past few days.

"After I was seriously hurt and fell off that cliff, Isabel saved me. I made a vow at her parents' graves to look after her.

"Once Isabel's settled, I'll be with you every day. I'm sorry you've had to put up with all this lately."

The atmosphere was rare, almost tender, with a hint of intimacy.

Charles probably thought I was giving in.

But little did he know, I was just waiting for the murderous urge inside me to settle.

I cut him off. "Charles, you've really upset me today."