Chapter 2

That day, Edward left my house with a spring in his step.

Not long after, Charlotte came to see me, her whole demeanor practically glowing with happiness.

I knew Edward must've put her up to our conversation; otherwise, she wouldn't have dared to challenge me so openly.

Honestly, those two were a perfect match—both total idiots.

But I didn't have time to waste on them. I had my own things to take care of.

I picked up a chess piece and set it down, looked down at the board, and curved my lips into a smile. "I win."

William gave a faint smile. "I can't match your skill, Ms. Rivers."

I looked up, not even trying to hide the way I studied his face.

Back before my engagement to Edward was set in stone, William was one of the most sought-after contenders for crown prince in the capital.

But unlike Edward, he was dealt a bad hand. His mother died young, leaving him without the support of her family.

I knew that William's gentlemanly charm was just a façade; no one born into royalty ever truly didn't crave the throne.

My father had once warned me that William was no ordinary man and that if Edward wanted to become the crown prince smoothly, he absolutely had to watch out for William.

But Edward thought far too highly of himself. He believed that marrying me and winning the Rivers family's support meant the throne was already within his grasp, so he completely dismissed my father's warning.

The game might have ended, but the real battle beyond the board was far from over.

I lowered my voice and said, "Since I won, will you grant me one question?

"What's the one thing you want most right now?"

William fixed his eyes on me, gaze deep and impossible to read. I had no clue what was going on in his mind.

He stayed silent for a long moment, and then simply dipped his finger into his water and, with deliberate care, traced out a few words on the tabletop between us.

I glanced up at him, catching his eyes. We both smiled quietly—no need for words; it all passed between us in that one look.

On the tabletop, he wrote only two words: the throne.

Edward started showing up at our place more and more often, and he and Charlotte were spending a lot of time together.

One day, the two of them hid out behind the garden's rockery, sharing how much they missed each other and laying all their feelings bare.

Charlotte nestled shyly in Edward's arms, while his eyes were brimming with affection. "Charlotte, don't worry. I'll never let you down."

"I believe in you, Ed," Charlotte whispered, her voice full of trust.

It would've been a passionate, perfectly dramatic scene, if only my father hadn't barged in, trailing his servants behind him and ready to raise hell.

He caught sight of them and his mustache practically curled in fury. Jabbing a furious finger at Charlotte, he yelled, "You disgrace! When did you start sneaking around with your future brother-in-law?"

My father was a rock, stubborn and hopelessly old-fashioned. He'd spent our entire childhood hammering home the rule that girls should never socialize with men outside the family.

Now, watching Charlotte and Edward all wrapped up in each other, my father was so angry that his whole round body looked fit to burst from shaking.

Edward couldn't just stand by while the girl he adored was being yelled at. He held Charlotte closely and said, "Mr. Rivers, Charlotte is your daughter, too. How could you talk to her that way?

"Back when we were little, Charlotte saved my life when I almost drowned. I've never been able to let that go. All she wants now is to be with me, even if it's just as my concubine. As her father, can't you give her that much?"

Charlotte's eyes filled with tears. "Father, I know I've messed up, but you know you can't control who your heart chooses."

My father stormed off, anger practically trailing behind him.

At that very moment, I was seated in a distant pavilion, leisurely sipping my coffee as I watched the drama unfold.