Chapter 3
With the king's permission, there was no room for negotiation.
Edward slumped to the ground in despair, muttering under his breath, "Impossible."
Grace was frozen in fear, her face pale as a sheet.
I bowed deeply to Alexander. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Then I pulled the crown from my head and stepped out of the gown, standing there in nothing but a plain slip. My movements were quick and final with no hesitation.
Once I was done, I turned and walked out of the hall. With every step, Edward's expression grew more devastated.
Suddenly, he jolted awake and lunged forward, reaching for my hand. "Charlotte, stop!"
I didn't stop.
He tried to block my path, but one of the royal guard intervened, holding him back. "Your Royal Highness, please calm down."
Edward could only watch as I walked away, leaving behind the cage that had trapped us both for three years.
My figure was unwavering, not a trace of hesitation in my steps.
*****
When I got back to Eldenhall Palace, Rose was already waiting for me with my bags packed.
Honestly, there wasn't much to take with me.
When I married Edward, my wedding was so grand and lavish that everyone looked on with envy.
But now, as I walked away, all I carried was just a simple bundle.
I didn't take a single piece of jewelry Edward had given me. I never cared about any of that stuff anyway.
Just as I was about to leave, Edward burst in, his expression stormy and grim.
He waved away all the servants, so the grand hall was left with only the two of us.
"Are you satisfied now?" Edward's voice was rough, barely containing his rage. "You went to my father and pushed for this divorce. Now I'm a laughingstock. Is this what you wanted? Happy now?"
I looked at him, finding it all a bit ridiculous. "Edward, it's always been you forcing me," I said. "You're the one who made me beg first."
He stood there speechless, his face flushing red and then going pale. "I-I only said those things because I was angry. Can't you just let it go for once? Did it really have to do this?"
"Let it go?" I echoed, letting out a cold laugh. "Why should I? Just because you're my husband? You can't get another woman out of your head, but still expect me to swallow all the humiliation for you?
"Edward, I would never beg anyone. Grace? How dare she?"
My words cut deep, slicing right through his ridiculous sense of pride. Backed into a corner by my questions, Edward's embarrassment quickly turned to fury.
"That's enough." Edward's voice turned cold and sharp. "You really think I'd beg you to stay just because you're walking out? Charlotte, don't flatter yourself. I'm still a prince without you. Plenty of women out there would kill to marry me."
"I know," I replied with a nod. "Like Grace."
He looked away, like I'd just exposed his secret.
I slammed another copy of the divorce papers I'd already prepared onto the table. "Sign it," I said. "From now on, you go your way and I go mine. We have nothing to do with each other anymore."
His eyes locked onto the divorce papers, and he was trembling all over. "I'm not signing," he snapped. "Charlotte, don't even think about it. As long as I refuse, you'll always be my wife."
He really thought this could keep me chained to him? Naive.
"I've already had His Majesty's words. Does your refusal even matter now? This is just the last bit of dignity I'm letting you keep," I said and turned to leave, not bothering to say another word.
He wrapped his arms around me from behind, holding on tight and refusing to let go. For the first time, I heard real panic in his voice.
"Charlotte, I won't let you leave. Is this some kind of game you're playing with me? Fine, you win. I'm sorry, okay? Just don't go," he pleaded, desperate.
I peeled his hands off me, my grip so strong it actually hurt him.
"Edward, drop that pathetic pride of yours," I said coldly. "I'm not messing around with you. I don't want you anymore."
My words were quiet, but they landed like a heavy blow, shaking him to his core. He staggered back, his whole face frozen in utter disbelief.
Just then, the head of the royal attendants' voice rang out from outside the door. "Ms. Sinclair, His Majesty requests your presence."
I adjusted my clothes and strode out, never once looking back.
Edward was left standing alone in the vast, empty hall, his face ashen and lifeless.