Chapter 5

"Your Highness, I've been a fool!" I lowered my head. Now that the cat was out of the bag, there was no use pretending. I had to eat humble pie and hope for mercy. After all, only a fool fights a losing battle.

"I was blinded by greed. I didn't recognize your greatness. I—"

"Shh." Edward pressed a finger to his lips, cutting my confession short. He gripped that crude hairpin so hard his knuckles turned white, as if he couldn't decide whether to crush it or treat it like the finest treasure.

I shrank back, clamping my mouth shut,…