Chapter 3

I fixed my gaze on him. "And what about you, Prince Emerson? Aren't you just after the Robertson family's power and influence?"

Emerson's face flushed and then paled.

Suddenly, a clear voice rang out from behind us. "Lady Josephine, my mother asked me to escort you home."

A man in full military regalia swiftly dismounted his horse and strode toward us, his presence commanding.

It was Cristian Bradshaw, the third prince and Madeline's son.

I had met him a few times before. He was a man of true grit, having fought alongside his father on many battlefields.

When he saw Emerson, he bowed respectfully. "Emerson."

Emerson looked at him. "Cristian? When did you get back to the capital?"

Cristian smiled. "Just got back. I went to the palace to greet Father and Mother. It's getting late, and Mother asked me to escort Lady Josephine home.

"Emerson, let's catch up another time. I'll take Lady Josephine back first."

I darted behind Cristian, seeking his protection. "Prince Cristian, let's go."

Emerson was relentless, blocking our path. "Josephine, listen to me. This lifetime, you're destined to marry me!"

Cristian shoved his hand away and stepped protectively in front of me.

Emerson let out a cold laugh. "Cristian, you dare to stand in my way?"

He turned to me. "So that's why you were so quick to break off the engagement. You already had someone else lined up.

"A woman like you, who lacks proper virtue, could never be worthy of being the crown princess!"

Cristian swung his sword, and the horse beside Emerson reared up with a startled neigh, making Emerson jump. His face flushed with anger. "Cristian, you've got some nerve!"

Cristian helped me into the carriage and turned back. "Please forgive me, Emerson. I was switching hands with my sword. I didn't expect your precious horse to be so easily spooked."

His expression was icy and proud, with the deadly air of someone hardened by war. No one dared look him in the eye. After saying that, he vaulted onto his horse. "Let's go."

And with that, we rode off together, leaving Emerson behind.

When we got back to the Robertson Mansion, my father had already heard the news.

He stomped his weapon on the ground, fuming. "Does he really think he can push my daughter around? Fine, let the engagement end! As if my daughter can't find someone better!

"I've got four hundred thousand soldiers at my command. Why should I take his crap? Josephine, don't worry. Just tell me who catches your eye, and I'll..."

I quickly clamped a hand over my father's mouth, sneaking a nervous glance at Cristian. He was a prince, and my father just blurted out without thinking.

Cristian sighed, exasperated. "General Robertson, you might want to be careful what you say. If anyone else hears, your reputation could take a hit."

My father's eyes lit up, and he clapped Cristian on the shoulder. "Your Highness, you know, back in the day, I was pretty tight with James.

"I respect you as a real man. We're practically on the same side. Why don't you just marry Josephine?"

My father treated Cristian like one of his own, his tone warm and full of admiration.

His words made both Cristian and me blush furiously. Cristian quickly took a few steps back. "General Robertson, Lady Josephine, I'll take my leave and head back to the palace."

With that, he practically bolted, looking like he couldn't get away fast enough.

As soon as Cristian left, my father's face turned stormy as he marched back inside. He slammed his hand on the table. "How dare they humiliate you like this?

"Josephine, our families' marriage alliance is a done deal. If Emerson doesn't want to marry you, we'll just pick a new crown prince!"

I knew exactly why Edward was so dead set on making the next crown princess a Robertson.

With my father's four hundred thousand troops, only by tying our families together could he keep his throne safe and the power balanced.

Emerson was Edward's first son, and with my father as Emerson's father-in-law, his throne would be rock solid.

But no one had imagined Emerson would be dumb enough to throw away his own crown princess.

The next day, Edward called my father and me into the palace.

Inside Edward's study, Emerson was on his knees, whining. "Father, Cristian's been sneaking around with outsiders and getting way too chummy with General Robertson. And now he's even trying to steal my fiancée!"

Cristian put on an innocent face. "Emerson, easy there. I've been fighting side by side with General Robertson. Am I supposed to be enemies with him now?

"Yesterday, Mother noticed it was getting late and worried about Lady Josephine being out alone, so she told me to take her home.

"Don't pin made-up charges on me, I'm not taking the fall for that.

"Besides, you and Lady Josephine broke off the engagement right in front of the queen.

"General Robertson never agreed to let his daughter be your concubine, so how am I stealing your fiancée?

"If you don't want her, what, nobody else is allowed to?"