Chapter 2

I shoved away the maids who were trying to restrain me and stared at the people from the general's estate. "Who exactly is your general proposing to marry?" I demanded.

Someone from the general's estate said solemnly, "Naturally, it's Nancy, the eldest daughter of the marquis' estate."

I scoffed. "The marquis' estate only has one daughter, and her name is Shannon. There's never been a daughter named Nancy."

My mother rushed over, seized my hand, and pushed me back. "Nancy is the legitimate daughter of the marquis' estate. Shannon is my niece from my side of the family. She's Nancy's cousin.

"She used to stay with us, and was chosen to serve the Queen Dowager at Fivefold Peak. Now that she's returned, maybe she's feeling a bit unsettled being back home, so she's having a hard time adjusting and is throwing a temper.

Nancy wiped her tears and looked at me. "Shannon, I've always treated you like my own sister. Why are you acting this way?

"The marriage between the marquis' estate and the general's estate was granted by the king himself. It's not something we can mess up.

"I never minded when you took my jewelry or my dresses before, but this marriage was arranged by our parents. I'm sorry, but I can't give this up to you."

I laughed in disbelief. "Mother, do you really favor Nancy that much? You sent me off to Fivefold Peak to serve the Queen Dowager in Nancy's stead.

"Now that I'm back, you're willing to hand over my marriage to her too? Sometimes I wonder if I really am your daughter, or is she?

"Did Father know about this betrothal ceremony today? What about Grandmother?"

As soon as I spoke, the guests started to hesitate, whispering among themselves.

"So who is the legitimate daughter of the marquis' estate?"

"The people from the marquis' estate said it's Nancy."

"Just look at how the marchioness dotes on Nancy. Who would believe she's not her real daughter?"

"But I seem to remember, when the marchioness gave birth to her daughter, the marquis went to Cloudveil Abby to have a sister name her. The name seemed to be Shannon. Could Shannon be the real daughter?"

"So what is the truth? How could someone treat their niece better than their own daughter?"

The whispers in the crowd grew louder and louder, and both Nancy and my mother's faces kept switching from red to pale as they listened.

"How dare you!" my mother snapped, her face full of resentment. "I'm the mistress of the marquis' estate. Don't tell me I can't decide my own daughter's marriage.

"Seems like taking you in has only made you more arrogant. Now you're bold enough to try and steal my daughter's marriage.

"Today, as your aunt, I'll set you straight on behalf of your parents.

"Someone, fetch me a cane. I'll enforce the family rules myself and teach her a lesson. Let's see if she dares to run her mouth again."

After the servants shoved me down onto a bench. I stubbornly lifted my chin. "Mother, are you really going to punish me in front of everyone, all for Nancy? Just because I spoke the truth?"

I struggled fiercely, yelling at the servants restraining me, "If you dare disrespect me, wait until Father gets back. He won't let this slide!"

Some of the servants pulled their hands back, but my mother still brought the cane down hard on my back.

Agony shot through me, but I gritted my teeth and refused to cry out.

"Even if the marquis returns, he won't be able to save you. In this estate, who would dare disobey me?" my mother snapped.

The cane struck my back over and over. I bit down hard, my lower lip splitting and bleeding, but I refused to cry out.

"Please, your ladyship, stop! If you keep this up, she's going to die."

"She's just a girl. One or two hits would've been enough. Her whole back is torn up and bleeding!"

"The Marchioness of Kinville always looked so gentle and saintly. How could she turn out to be so cruel?"

Nancy walked up to me, leaned in close, and whispered, "Shannon, you can't beat me. The title of the marquis' true daughter is mine, and so is Vangard General. Everything you have will be mine in the end."

My vision blurred. "You think you can swap the real for the fake? Dream on."

Just as I was about to pass out, an old woman rushed forward and threw herself between me and my mother, blocking her from hitting me again.

She cried, "Your ladyship, please stop. If you keep this up, Shannon won't be able to take it.

"She's the legitimate daughter of the marquis' estate, your own flesh and blood. How could you be so cruel?"

I forced my eyes open, tears streaming down my face. "Glinda."

The one who rushed to my side was Glinda Munson, once my wet nurse. When I was sent to serve the Queen Dowager, I wasn't allowed to bring any servants with me, so Glinda had to stay behind at the marquis' estate.