Chapter 2

Rosemary snapped, "I absolutely refuse to let you call off this engagement. The Crown Princess must be the rightful daughter of the Robertson family."

Emerson took a step forward, his gaze locked on me as I stood beside Rosemary.

He let out a mocking laugh. "Josephine, don't think just because you've got Mother on your side, you'll ever get to be the Crown Princess.

"Is there anything you can do besides relying on your father's influence?

"Let me spell it out for you. You can forget about using the Robertson family's army to threaten me.

"This kingdom belongs to the Bradshaw family, not the Robertsons. I'm destined to rule, and your family will have to obey."

I sneered inwardly, wondering if Emerson was out of his mind, willing to turn his back on the Robertson family for a woman nobody even knew.

No matter what Rosemary thought, I couldn't just stand by and let him insult or belittle the Robertson family.

I stepped forward, and my words echoed through the hall. "Queen Rosemary, Prince Emerson and Lady Danielle are truly in love. I don't want to be the one who ruins their happiness, nor do I wish to compromise myself.

"The Robertson family has a tradition. Daughters of our family never become concubines. So, I beg you to grant Prince Emerson's request. I am willing to call off the engagement.

"Your Highness, I wish you and Lady Danielle a loving marriage and may you be blessed with many children."

With that, I unfastened the pendant that the King, Edward Bradshaw, had given me on the day of our engagement and held it above my head.

Rosemary looked at me, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. "Josephine, you..."

Emerson strode over and snatched the pendant from my hand. "Fine, Josephine. Since you're so understanding, I'll keep this in mind.

"When Danielle gives me an heir, I'll talk her into letting you serve as a lady-in-waiting in our palace."

The ladies of the court all looked at me with pity, and, ignoring Rosemary's presence, began whispering among themselves.

One of them whispered, "Who is this woman, anyway? How did she manage to make Prince Emerson lose his mind like this?"

Another chimed in, "Is there any family more powerful than the Robertsons in the entire kingdom? Has Prince Emerson gone mad?"

Someone else looked stunned. "That vixen is pregnant with Prince Emerson's baby. No wonder she's so bold."

Another lady sneered, "No family, no background, she's a complete nobody, and she still thinks she can marry Prince Emerson?"

Just like that, the title of Crown Princess went to someone else overnight, all because of some unknown woman. For me, it was a humiliation I could hardly bear.

I stood my ground in the center of the hall, jaw clenched and back straight. Madeline Dalton came over, warmly taking my hand. "Josephine, come with me.

"My palace has fresh cakes today. They're just out of the kitchen. Let's go and clear your mind for a while."

Not to be outdone, Ophelia Romero took my other hand. "Oh, Ashton is in the palace today. He confided to me that he's admired you for a long time. Why not come to my palace for a bit?

"I hear he brought back rare manuscripts and some precious spices from Floriscen. Ashton isn't like those who only chase after beauty. He's upright and devoted to his duties."

Madeline shot Ophelia a look and tightened her grip on my hand. "No, you should come to my palace first."

Emerson's face darkened. He broke off our engagement, fully expecting my reputation to be trashed and that I'd be left on the shelf, with no one willing to marry me for a long time.

He figured he'd wait a few months and then ask Edward to let him bring me into the Spraton Palace as a concubine.

That way, he'd have Danielle, the beauty, and my father, the general, both right where he wanted them.

Surprisingly, the moment our engagement ended, I suddenly became the hottest commodity in the palace.

I smiled and said, "Ladies, let's not rush. Why don't we start with some cakes at Lady Madeline's palace, and then head over to Lady Ophelia's for spices?"

"Perfect. That's settled," Madeline and Ophelia agreed enthusiastically.

Without sparing a glance at Rosemary and Emerson, whose faces were dark with anger, they each took my hand and led me straight out of the hall.

We spent the whole afternoon hopping between their palaces, and by the time I finally left the palace, dusk had already fallen.

Just as I was about to step into the waiting carriage, someone grabbed my arm. It was Emerson.

His face was stormy as he glared at me. "So this is what you're like? Can't wait to cozy up to other men the moment our engagement is over?

"Josephine, I told you to wait a few months, and I'll take you to Spraton Palace myself. Why are you in such a rush?"

I shook off his hand. "Your Highness, there's nothing between us anymore, so why are you still talking about me entering Spraton Palace?

"The Robertson family's daughters never become concubines. You know that perfectly well. So stop with the nonsense."

He let out a mocking laugh. "A concubine? If you were the Crown Prince's concubine, you'd still be above everyone else. What's there for you to complain about?

"Do you really think you can still marry into a noble family? Once I've decided you'll be my concubine, who'd even dare to go after you?

"My brothers aren't really interested in you. Stop dreaming. All they care about is your father's military power."