Chapter 2

Gifts kept coming my way, and my father and brother got flashy promotions right off the bat.

Even as the Crown Prince, Edward knelt before my mother and vowed he'd never fail me.

He gave me everything.

To ease my fears, he even entrusted me with a chest of royal pardons, stamped with the seal of the throne.

That meant a share of his sovereign power lay in my hands.

I looked into his gleaming eyes, unable to ignore the fervor burning within them. How could anyone mistake a love like that?

In this world, what greater proof of devotion could there be than the gift of pardon? It was the most sacred promise he could offer.

True love. That was what mattered.

Edward's gaze held mine, solemn and steady. "You worried the crown would burden you, that you'd stand alone.

"I've raised your family's standing and placed my trust in your hands. Now, Charlotte... are you still afraid? Will you marry me?"

Softly, I placed my hand in his. "Swear to God," I whispered, "that you will love no one but me, always."

"I, Edward Sterling, vow before God to love only Charlotte Hayes, all my days."

For that oath, I followed him into the palace, my heart full.

But vows were the most hollow things in this world.

Everything changed once Edward took the throne.

His smiles grew rare. The love he once showed me faded like dusk.

I was no longer his only fascination.

Ministers sent beauties to the palace, each like a distinct blossom: lily, rose, magnolia, orchid, an endless parade of youth and grace.

Being his "wallflower" no longer meant I was unique.

Dazzled by such variety, Edward slowly transformed. No longer the lovestruck prince the ballads sang of, he was now the King, surrounded by a court of blooming women.

Everyone in the palace was lying to me.

Edward promised me he only chose those women for the palace because the officials forced his hand, and swore he wouldn't even touch them.

The friend I trusted lied to me. She said she was dragged into the palace against her will, that she wasn't into kids, and she'd never be interested in my husband.

The servants lied, saying His Majesty worked late in the Harmony Palace. But night after night, he rested in other chambers.

Every year, new maidens entered the Blossom Palace.

Even a fool would have sensed it.

Why did I alone remain childless, while every favored consort or noble-born lady soon swelled with life?

When I learned Lady Grace was with child, I confronted her, trembling with disbelief.

I seized her wrist, my eyes burning. "You... how could you?"

My voice broke. "You gave me your word! He is my husband."

Grace cradled her abdomen and offered a cold, mocking smile. "Charlotte, be sensible. In this palace, 'your husband' never belongs to you alone."

She pulled free and stepped closer, brushing a tear from my cheek with almost theatrical pity.

She continued, "It is true His Majesty holds some affection for you. That is why I, your closest friend, was the first to conceive.

"But you must not set everything ablaze in your grief. Women like us, who live by favor alone... we should be the last to bear our teeth."

It felt as though thunder had struck me. I had never known her at all.

So in the end, vows meant nothing.

I rushed to the Harmony Palace, devastated and unsteady.

Edward sat tall upon the throne, indifferent to my anguish. His eyes remained fixed on the scroll in his hands, as though I were no more than a passing shadow.

His voice echoed, austere and detached. "Charlotte, what is it?"

Trembling, I cried out, "She is pregnant! Grace, how could this happen?"

Even then, a fragile hope lingered that somehow this was all a mistake.

But Edward did not flinch. His gaze was cool, unmoved. "I require an heir. Do not make this more difficult."

I lifted my tear-streaked face. "So now I am the one making it difficult?

"It is always me. Then why did you insist on marrying me? You swore it would be only us, only you and me, for all our days! That was your vow—"

He rose sharply, his voice like winter. "Mind your words, Charlotte.

"Shall I wonder what ideas you have gathered during your family visits on the fifteenth?"

His eyes glinted with impatience, but the passion that once lit them was gone.

All color drained from my face. The will to fight left me.

He would threaten my family to silence me.

So this was kingship. No heart, no mercy.

But I could not simply yield.

I would not accept this.