Chapter 2

The birthday party for my father was lively and bustling. Outside, the seats were packed with guests. Lucia had arranged everything, inviting mostly common folk.

Inside, things were much quieter. Only close relatives and a handful of my father's trusted friends were present.

I sat next to Rowan, taking the second seat to the right.

Whispers floated to my ears.

"Is that Celeste?"

"That's her? She looks so refined, not at all like..."

"And the guy sitting next to her is Lord Rowan, isn't it?"

"Shh, quiet. Lord Rowan hates being discussed."

I glanced at Rowan, and he looked back at me, grinning as always. "Dear, can you peel an orange for me? I really want one."

He sounded like he did at home, all spoiled and affectionate.

I felt a bit shy, but I reached for the orange anyway. I couldn't refuse him.

Someone called out to Rowan, pulling him aside. They didn't bother to keep their voices down, clearly wanting me to hear every word.

"Lord Rowan, you really need to watch out for schemers."

"Yeah, she's the kind of person who'd even hurt her own family. Aren't you scared?"

Once someone started, the rest jumped in to pile on.

"Exactly. She's never even been to school, can't play any instruments, doesn't know anything about arts or crafts, and can't even sew. How could she ever be good enough for you?" That was my older cousin, my uncle's son, speaking up.

"And she's always pocketing valuables. You'd better watch your stuff." That was my father's youngest son, also my youngest brother, chiming in.

"When she was little, she spent a night outside with a beggar for bread." That was my younger cousin talking.

They all rushed to badmouth me to Rowan, some of it true, some of it pure nonsense.

I knew every single one of them, because I'd secretly watched them every single day.

I never had any other reason. Ever since I was little, I knew I wouldn't live long.

All I wanted was to recognize every relative before I died, so I'd know where I came from, and have something to hold onto, even after I was gone.

Rowan muttered something under his breath, but I couldn't make out what he said.

All I saw was the group around him suddenly looking embarrassed and weird, then shuffling away, clearly annoyed.

Rowan came back to sit beside me, looking as calm as ever. He leaned in, acting all spoiled, and asked me to feed him.

When my father arrived, Lucia supported him as he walked in. He barely glanced at me before moving on to mingle with the others.

Every so often, someone would come over to toast Rowan, and the atmosphere stayed cheerful and lively. No one mentioned me anymore.

After the main course, my father called Rowan and me over to join him in seeing the guests off.

It was the first time he brought me along to meet people outside the family. I thought I could leave this world without regrets.

After we saw the guests off, the house was quiet again.

Rowan grabbed my hand, about to leave, when my father stopped us.

*****

It felt like a courtroom drama. Rowan and I stood in the center, surrounded by our relatives. My father sat at the head of the table, with Lucia by his side.

Rowan stood next to me, totally calm. He glanced around and then called for a servant, "Bring a chair. My wife is pregnant. She shouldn't be on her feet for too long."

Everyone sitting there looked shocked.

I saw Lucia glance at my father, who simply patted her hand before turning his gaze toward us. "Rory, I trust you already know why we've called you here today. We're hoping to talk things through and settle this matter together."

Rory was Rowan's nickname. It had been a long time since I'd heard anyone address him that way.

Rowan furrowed his brow, but kept his cool and said, "Hang on a sec."

He grabbed the chair from the servant, snatched a cushion from his attendant, set it up, and motioned for me to sit down.

I looked up at my father, but when I saw him frown at me with obvious disapproval, I quickly lowered my head.

Rowan gave my back a gentle, reassuring pat and stood silently beside me, saying nothing.

Father said Rowan knew everything, but honestly, that was one of the rare times he had miscalculated.

If Rowan really knew the truth, with his temper, I'd have been tossed out, wrapped in a straw mat, and left in some unmarked grave ages ago.

He always said the thing he hated most was being lied to.

He might seem gentle most days, but when he got angry, it was terrifying.

Rowan looked up at the head of the table and asked, "So, what exactly needs fixing? Did you run into some trouble, Lord Benjamin?"

His tone was so casual that it caught me completely off guard.