Chapter 3

The news that I had agreed to the marriage alliance spread through the whole capital the next day.

My father was so furious that he trashed his study.

He stormed into my room and pointed at my nose.

He yelled, "Are you mad? Do you know what that place, the far West, is? It's a place that eats people alive.

"Once you go, you'll never come back."

My mother stood aside, wiping her tears. "Bella, tell me. Did Joseph force you into this?

"I'll go beg the Queen. Even if I have to plead at the palace gate until I die, I'll make her take back her order."

I looked at them.

My father was the Deputy Minister of Ceremonies.

My mother was a well-bred lady from a noble family.

They loved me.

But they didn't know. My heart was already dead.

It didn't really matter where I went anymore.

I said to my father, "Father, this is the king's will."

I said to my mother, "Mother, I agreed to it. By myself."

My father's face turned ghostly pale.

He understood. This was a trade between the Marquis of Northhold and our family.

My happiness would be traded for my family's and the Lane family's peace.

My father sank into his chair and did not speak for a long moment.

Finally, he let out a long sigh. "Let it be. I'm useless. I couldn't protect you."

My mother wept even more bitterly.

I walked over and wiped her tears. "Mother, don't cry. Really, it's not so bad. Once I'm married, I'll be a princess. Our family will share the glory.

"And Oliver's official career will go more smoothly."

My voice was calm, as if I were talking about someone else's business.

My mother took my hand, her fingers as cold as ice.

She looked into my eyes for a long moment. "Bella. You don't blame anyone, do you?"

I smiled. "Blame for what? General Knight saved my life. Now I'm just paying him back. We're even now."

We were even. What a perfect phrase.

From now on, Joseph was the Marquis of Northhold, the god of war.

And I was a princess, a tool for a marriage alliance.

We would have nothing more to do with each other.

In the end, my parents said nothing more.

They knew my nature. I looked gentle, but I was stubborn.

Once I made up my mind, nothing could change it.

*****

Three days later, the King's order came.

Isabelle Moore, daughter of the Deputy Minister of Ceremonies, was made a princess. She was to leave on a chosen day and travel far to the Torgun tribe in the far West. She would marry for peace.

Gifts were sent. Countless jewels, gold, silk, and other fine fabrics.

The whole Moore family assembled in the courtyard to receive the Queen's order.

The Queen's order was delivered by Kevin Lee, the Queen's favorite herald.

He cleared his throat and said in a formal tone, "Ms. Moore, oh, pardon me, Your Highness.

"The Queen says you are a woman who understands the greater good. You are a heroine of our kingdom.

"If you ever face any hardship, just send word back. Her Majesty will see justice done for you."

I expressed my gratitude. "Thank Her Majesty for her grace."

After Kevin left, the house fell into dead silence.

The jewels bestowed by the Queen were piled up in the courtyard. They shone in the sunlight with a blinding light.

But they could not light up the gloom in everyone's heart.

My brother, Oliver Moore, rushed in from outside. He had just come back from the Royal Academy.

The moment he stepped inside and saw the scene, his face turned pale.

"Bella." He ran to me and grabbed my shoulders. "What's going on? Are you really going to marry for the alliance?

"Is it Joseph? Did he force you into this?"

Oliver and Joseph had once been good friends.

Back when Joseph was recovering from his wounds in our home, Oliver stayed by his side every day.

I shook my head. "Oliver, stop. This is my choice."

"You're lying." Oliver's eyes turned red. "I'm going to settle this with him."

He turned to rush out the door. I used all my strength to hold him back.

"Oliver." I looked at him, each word slow and clear. "If you go, do you want our whole family to die with me?"

Oliver froze in his tracks.

He turned his head and looked at me in disbelief.

I saw the anger in his eyes slowly fade, replaced by pain and helplessness.

Yes. Joseph was the Marquis of Northhold.

He commanded a massive army. The King held him in high favor.

What did our family have to fight him with?

We didn't stand a chance.

Oliver slammed his fist into a nearby pillar. "Pathetic. Our whole family is pathetic."

I didn't say a word.

I just looked silently at the gifts piled up in the courtyard.

The wedding procession would leave in three days.

Everything moved so fast. I barely had time to breathe. It was as if they were afraid I might back out.