Chapter 3
It was the head of the Blackwood family.
Richard Blackwood, Ethan's uncle.
He was a legendary figure in the Kingdom of Serenya.
Unmatched in both the arts and warfare, with an aura that set him apart from all others.
By the age of ten, he was already well-versed in the literature and histories.
Renowned for his tactical brilliance and foresight, he earned the title of top scholar.
By fifteen, he was already pulling strings behind the scenes, wiping out the invaders at the border with a hundred thousand elite soldiers, and pulling off victories from afar with his genius plans.
By twenty-five, he was already running the show, calling the shots as Prime Minister.
He was about twenty‑seven or twenty‑eight, his hair pulled back neatly, and his gaze icy and sharp.
His features were chiseled like a sculpture, and his expression was cool and detached.
His presence was intense, making everyone feel the weight of his authority.
I couldn't bring myself to look him in the eye.
He proposed we keep the engagement low-key and straightforward.
That suited me just fine.
My father spent most of his life posted out at the border, and we had few relatives in the Capital.
So a simple engagement ceremony was just what I needed.
Back at Sterling Hall.
I told my maid to drag out a big box from my room.
Inside were all the things I'd collected over the years connected to Lucas.
There were scrap sketches Lucas had doodled and tossed aside, manuscript scraps he'd messed up and thrown away, spent ink bottles and frayed, well‑used quills.
There were also a bunch of little trinkets Lucas had carelessly tossed my way.
A whole box full.
For years, I'd treated every single item in there like it was a priceless treasure.
"Get the carriage ready. Send all these to the Everly Estate."
It was time to say goodbye.
The Everly Estate.
I'd been coming here so often since I was a kid that no one ever asked for an announcement, and I could just walk right in.
Knowing Lucas was in his study, I headed directly to him.
As I rounded the bend in the flower-lined path, voices floated over from the lakeside pavilion.
I froze in place.
"Lila, rest assured, your ankle injury is nothing serious.
"The physician at my estate once served in the palace.
"He examined you and said it's just slightly sprained. Just rest, and you'll be fine."
Lucas' voice was incredibly gentle.
"Thank you, Lucas. I honestly don't know what I did to make Anna upset. Every time she sees me, she just..."
Lila trailed off.
"Just ignore Anna. She's always been rough and rude, ever since we were little. I only talk to her out of pity.
"That can't even hold a candle to what you did for me, Lila, saving me from the lotus pond when we were kids."
A thunderous roar went off in my mind.
The rest of their conversation became nothing but a distant blur. I couldn't hear a thing anymore.
No wonder.
Scenes of Lucas' behavior over the years flashed through my mind.
All this time, he had mistaken Lila for the one who saved him as a child.
I couldn't help but laugh bitterly at myself.
All these years, I've chased after Lucas, if only for that trace of warmth left in my memory.
That little girl from my memories was always picked on and laughed at for being an orphan. She'd hide away and cry in the corner quietly, not caring even as rain poured down.
It was that boy in white who chased off the troublemakers, then held an umbrella over her head, sheltering her beneath a small, warm haven.
"Your father is a real hero!"
That moment I could never forget.
He was the one who brought a little bit of light into my world.
From that moment on, I stopped caring about what anyone else thought.
"Oh, Anna!"
Lila's delicate voice sounded right by my ear.
Apparently, I had unconsciously stepped to the edge of the pavilion.
My gaze lingered on the silver lyre sitting atop the desk by the pavilion.
"How did 'Melodia' end up here?"
A few days ago, I had my servant take it to the workshop for maintenance.
It was the lyre my mother loved most before she passed.
Dad always said it was a wedding gift from her mother.
"Didn't you ask your servant to send it over to my workshop?"
I just realized that the workshop belonged to the Everly family.
"Lila's going to attend the Queen's ball next month. She wants to borrow your lyre for the event."
Lucas gave me a dismissive, impatient glance.
"Look at you, being so petty and narrow."
"Lucas, didn't you promise to find me a really nice lyre? After trying Anna's, I think it's just perfect for me."
Lila looked up at Lucas expectantly.
Lucas shot me a look.
With my heart pounding, I stepped forward. "No, that's my mother's most precious memento."
Lucas sneered, "You play badly anyway. Lila's the perfect fit for it. At least this lyre won't go to waste now."
I stepped forward, about to take the lyre away.
My hand hadn't even touched the instrument yet. Suddenly, someone let out a sharp scream.
Lila stumbled and toppled backward.
The table overturned, and "Melodia" was flung out of the pavilion, smashing on the rock below.
The lyre splintered, broken beyond repair.
My eyes were blazing with fury.
Before I could say anything.
"Anna, if you don't want to hand it over, then whatever. But did you really have to vent your anger on Lila and shove her like that?
"It's just an old lyre, no big deal. I'll buy you another one if that's what you want!"
Lucas rushed over, glaring at me.
"Lucas, please don't blame Anna."
Lila kept her head down as she wiped away her tears.