Chapter 4
Hearing Edward say that, and seeing the blood trickling from Cathy's lips, I felt my anger flare up.
He had seen this exact hairpin back when my grandmother gave it to me. He couldn't possibly have forgotten.
But now, just to defend Renee, he didn't care who was right or wrong and even hit my personal maid.
"Edward, you hit my personal maid. That's the same as hitting me," I said, my voice cold and steady.
I'd never been truly angry with him before. Seeing me like this, he froze for a second, instinctively wanting to explain himself.
But Renee, crying and sniffling, removed the hairpin from her hair and handed it to me.
"Camille, do you like this hairpin? If you want it, just take it. Please don't fight with Edward," she said, her voice all sweet and pitiful, playing the innocent.
She pretended to hand me the hairpin, but then let it slip from her fingers on purpose. It crashed to the floor, breaking into pieces.
Fuming, I reached out to slap her, but Edward shoved me aside hard.
He snapped, "Camille, don't you dare lay a finger on Renee! Do you have any idea how crazy you look right now?"
The shove sent me stumbling. I lost my balance and collapsed onto the floor.
Renee nestled into Edward's arms, a triumphant smile spreading across her face.
He looked startled when he saw me fall and instinctively reached out to pull me up.
But Renee grabbed his hand before he could touch me.
With tears streaming down her face, she whimpered, "Edward, it hurts so much right here."
He didn't hesitate. He scooped her into his arms, panic written all over his face.
"What's wrong? Someone get the royal physician, now!" he barked urgently.
The ladies and palace maids passing by stopped in their tracks, gossiping and pointing at me as they watched the spectacle.
"Isn't that the Hughes family's precious heiress? Fighting over Edward with some bastard girl. What a shame for the Hughes family," they snickered.
Edward gave me a dark glare.
"Camille, look at what you've done. Apologize to Renee right now. Someone as petty and jealous as you doesn't deserve to be my Crown Princess," he snapped.
The young nobles and the officials' heirs behind him snickered loudly.
"Ms. Hughes, if you can't even handle this, how are you going to survive when Edward has other women? You'll probably die of jealousy," one of them jeered.
With everyone laughing, Edward walked right up to me, his voice dripping with confidence, like he was sure I'd have no choice but to agree.
He said, "I heard His Majesty is announcing our marriage today. If you want me to say yes, you'd better do exactly as I tell you.
"Once he announces, you'll beg him to grant Renee a lady's title and give her an estate of her own.
"Do that, and I'll forgive your little outburst. And no one will ever call you jealous again."
I stared at Edward in disbelief. Even though I already knew he was like this, it still caught me off guard.
Hearing those words, I was honestly stunned by just how shameless he could be.
Seeing me stay quiet, he smirked, thinking he'd won.
He said, "If His Majesty agrees, I'll make sure you're taken care of too. You'll get an estate just like Renee's. That way you won't feel left out."
He was practically glowing with confidence, acting like he'd already won. Like he was certain I'd marry him and he'd become Crown Prince.
Cathy, sobbing, hurried over to help me up.
The palace staff was all waiting to see me humiliated.
Out of nowhere, an angry shout came from nearby. "What are you all doing?"
Everyone turned around and saw Prince Richard walking over with Hardy Keller, the Gentleman of the Privy Chamber.
Richard rushed over and carefully helped me up, worry written all over his face as he glanced at my coffee-stained dress. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice gentle.
Hardy, wearing a frosty expression, announced loudly, "By order of His Majesty.
"Camille Hughes, daughter of the Chancellor of the Royal Academy, step forward and receive the King's decree."
Edward, the other young nobles, and the officials' heirs, instantly realized that the King was announcing my engagement.
Their faces lit up with excitement as they bowed their heads, waiting eagerly to hear the words.
Edward shot me a smug look. As he bowed his head, he muttered under his breath, "Don't forget what I told you—beg His Majesty to grant Renee a lady's title and give her an estate of her own."
One of the young nobles beside him was already whispering congratulations.
He said, "Congrats, Your Highness. You're about to become Crown Prince, with a wife and your sweetheart on the side. Two for the price of one. Lucky man."
But that happy mood didn't last long.
Harday said, "By order of His Majesty, Camille Hughes, daughter of the Chancellor of the Royal Academy, is wise, virtuous, and beautiful. She is to marry Prince Richard. The wedding shall take place in due course. So it is decreed."
Everyone present was completely stunned.
The King had just decreed that I was to marry Richard.
When Richard's name was announced, Edward's head snapped up in shock.
"Hardy, did His Majesty make a mistake?" he demanded, his voice low and tense.
Hardy shot him a cold glare. "How dare you.
"The decree was clear. Camille Hughes, daughter of the Chancellor of the Royal Academy, was to marry Prince Richard."