Chapter 3

Seeing tears in my eyes, Aiden finally realized something was off. He softened his tone. "I wasn't angry with you.

"Colette is your sister, after all. Hurting her would reflect badly on you. Go home now. Once Colette's injury is taken care of, I'll go back to you."

I watched as Aiden supported Colette and walked away, and sighed.

He'd been pretending with me all this time for Colette's happiness. It really hadn't been easy for him.

Once the guests had left, I walked over to the birthday gift Aiden had left behind and gently lifted the cloth covering it.

Sure enough, it was the pearl hairpiece.

I lowered my gaze, covered it back up, and left the restaurant with my maid.

As soon as I stepped outside, I spotted one of Aiden's guards waiting for me. "Your Highness, Prince Aiden says Lady Colette's hand is fine. He asked me to escort you back to the estate."

I shook my head. "No, let's stop by the jeweler's first. I need to go over the books."

The carriage dropped me off at the jeweler's, and I had someone bring me the ledger.

But before I could start going through it, my attention was drawn to the jewelry shop across the street.

Through the window, I saw Colette holding a sapphire hairpin, trying it out in her hair. Every so often, she'd turn around and say something with a smile. The figure standing next to her was all too familiar. It was my husband, Aiden.

I glanced at the ledger in my hands and finished checking the accounts calmly.

Just as I was about to leave, the shopkeeper approached me. "Princess Edith, Prince Aiden had his guards block off our jewelry shop."

He paused, clearly struggling to get the words out. "He said he wants to clear out the shop and buy every piece of jewelry inside for his beloved."

I nodded. "Let him have everything, but make sure to charge him extra."

The shopkeeper's face changed, but he kept quiet.

I took Ivana's hand and slipped out the back door, heading back to the estate.

I waited from dawn until nightfall, watching as all my trunks were loaded onto the carriage. And Aiden still hadn't come home.

It seemed like he was not coming back after all.

Turning to one of the servants, I instructed, "Let Prince Aiden know I'm going to inspect the lands with some help."

Meanwhile, Aiden glanced at the darkening sky and said gently, "Colette, if there's anything else you want, charge it me. The shopkeeper can send the bill over to the estate.

"Think of it as compensation for what Edith did to you. I'm busy today, so I've got to head back."

Colette pursed her lips, looking a bit reluctant. "Prince Aiden, it's still early. Are you really that eager to rush home and make up with your wife?"

Aiden chuckled as he thought of something.

But before he could say a word, one of his guards, drenched in blood, staggered to him. "My Lord, bad news.

"Princess Edith was ambushed by bandits while inspecting the lands. When she tried to escape, the carriage plunged off a cliff."

Aiden was stunned, staring at the guard in disbelief. "What?"

Shaking with pain, the guard managed to recount what happened. "We divided our forces to protect Princess Edith, but there were too many bandits.

"A stray arrow struck the horse, and it bolted, dragging the carriage over the edge. Princess Edith didn't have time to get out."

Aiden stood frozen for a moment, then suddenly swept all the jewelry off the table. "Bullshit! I told her we'd go together to inspect the lands. She wouldn't go off on her own.

"Even if she did, why didn't anyone bother to let me know?"

Aiden's sudden outburst left everyone stunned.

The air was thick with tension for a moment. Eventually, one of the servants finally broke free and said, "My Lord, Princess Edith waited for you all day at the manor.

"When night fell and you still hadn't returned, she decided to go by herself. Before leaving, she specifically sent me to inform you, but as soon as I arrived, the guards stopped me and said..."

Aiden's face darkened, and he barked, "Said what?"

The servant said, "They said you were busy picking out jewelry for your beloved and that no one was allowed to disturb you."

Aiden fixed the guards with an icy glare. "When did I ever give an order not to be disturbed?"

His tone was tight with frustration as he stormed over and punched the guard. "Explain yourself!"

The guard went ghostly pale, glancing at Colette. "My Lord, Lady Colette said it was your command, so I stopped the servant. I swear, I had no idea what was happening!"

When the guard exposed her, Colette quickly put on a tearful, pitiful expression. "Aiden, I cherished every moment you spend with me. I never imagined anything would happen to Edith. Please, don't be angry with me."

Aiden said nothing. He seized Colette's wrist, tore off the emerald bracelet, and gripped it tightly in his palm. Then, he left.