Chapter 6
But to my surprise, Edward didn't so much as hesitate.
He sprang to his feet without even bothering to straighten his robes, the tender charade he had been performing for my benefit apparently forgotten entirely.
"I heard you!" he called toward the door. "Have the carriage ready immediately. Go to the bank and withdraw every last coin we have. And take all the paintings and jewelry from my study. Pawn them all if you have to.
"I don't care what it costs. Just find me that Celestial Tear Gem!"
His voice carried an almost frantic eagerness, as if he feared that the slightest delay might earn the Princess Royal's displeasure.
The servant murmured a quick acknowledgment and hurried off to prepare the carriage and make for the bank, yet Edward remained where he stood, still urging him on. "Go faster. Don't let the Princess Royal wait too long."
Only then, as though suddenly remembering that he was not alone in the room, did he turn to look at me.
A hint of perfunctory regret flickered across his face. "Charlotte, I'm truly sorry about this. But the Princess Royal has asked for something, and I really must see to it without delay. I'll be going now. You should get some rest."
Before I could say a word, he had already spun around and hurried out the door, leaving it wide open behind him.
I sat there, watching his figure disappear into the distance, and the last flicker of warmth in my heart faded completely, leaving nothing behind.
Just moments ago, he had been holding my hand, speaking those heartfelt words, telling me I was always on his mind, that he had never had a choice in any of it.
But with a single command from the Princess Royal, just because she wanted a rare gem, he instantly forgot everything he had promised. He forgot my pain, forgot our history, and without a second thought, he was ready to sacrifice all our savings just to please her.
Without the slightest hesitation, he got ready to hand over every last bit of savings we had, all just to win her favor.
It dawned on me then. Everything he had said, all his affection, all his guilt, and all his claims of being helpless were nothing but lies.
He had never loved me. What he truly loved was the stability I provided and the power and luxury Princess Royal could give him.
I slowly rose to my feet and walked over to the window. Pushing it open, I looked out into the heavy darkness of the night.
There was not a single star in the sky, just an endless stretch of blackness, much like the gloom in my heart, where I could no longer find even a trace of hope.
My mind drifted back to the past three years since I married Edward, to everything I had done for his sake.
I was born into the Hughes family, raised in silk and satin, and had never known a moment of real hardship before.
After marrying him, I set aside the privileged life I'd always known. I learned to cook for him, tend to the household, and manage every affair of his family.
He was nothing more than an illegitimate son with no standing or influence, yet never once did I feel I had settled for less, never once did I breathe a word of complaint.
I truly believed that if I gave him my whole heart and kept our home in order, he would remember the vows he once made to me and cherish me in return, and we would grow old together.