Chapter 4
"Killed, every one of you," I said, my tone icy.
My father's hand shook so much he nearly reached out to cover my mouth.
"Oh, you troublemaker. You can't go around saying things like that. It's dangerous," he blurted out.
I was not making things up.
In my previous life, after I became Queen, the Watson family tiptoed around everything, doing their best to avoid any hint of impropriety.
And what did it get us?
Lillian kept badmouthing to Joshua about my family, saying the Watsons were getting too big for their boots, and trying to gain power.
The ruthless Joshua, just to please his precious darling, chipped away at my father's military power bit by bit until there was nothing left.
By the time I died, the Watson family was nothing but a shell.
I set down my cup and gave my father an earnest look.
"Father, I don't want to be Queen, and I don't want to be a caged bird. I just want to find someone who understands me, and live a simple, peaceful life," I said.
My father hesitated for a moment, noticing the weariness in my eyes, and sighed.
"Alright. Since Daphne has already accepted the decree, there's no turning back now. Just don't regret it later," he said.
Regret? If there was one thing I truly regret, it was that I didn't see Joshua's real nature sooner in my previous life.
Now that I'd finally jumped out of the fire, I was just glad to be free.
*****
On Joshua's wedding day, the whole city was decorated and everyone was buzzing with excitement.
I lounged on the second floor of a coffeehouse, watching the wedding procession go by down below.
Daphne was sitting pretty in the wedding carriage, basking in all the glory.
Joshua sat beside her, stone-faced as ever. There was no joy on his face.
At the next table, a few young men were chatting away.
"Didn't the Duke of Vaughnsburg originally want to marry Miss Gilda Watson?"
"That's right, but somehow it ended up being Miss Daphne Hawkins."
"Miss Hawkins is a proper lady from a big family, sure, but if we're talking looks and talent, Lady Gilda totally outshines her."
"You guys don't get it. When it comes to picking a wife, you want someone clever and capable. Miss Hawkins is very capable. The duke won't have it easy from now on."
I couldn't help but laugh at their comments.
These young men were really sharp-eyed.
Daphne sure was capable.
Back in my previous life, she was also one of the king's lovers.
The two of us spent our whole lives at each other's throats.
But I had to admit she was born for to be Queen, way more than I ever was.
She was cold-blooded, decisive, and always knew exactly what she wanted.
Power and status were all she cared about.
As for a man's affection? To her, it was just another tool in her arsenal for climbing higher.
Unlike me, who was naive enough to believe in true love.
In a place like the palace, full of intrigue and danger, talking about love was basically a death sentence.
"Enjoying the show, Lady Gilda?" A clear voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
I turned around and saw a young lord.
He was dressed in dark, fitted clothes, with sharp brows and bright eyes, idly twirling a pocket watch in his hand.
He looked familiar.
It took me a while, but then it hit me.
He was Lucian Shaw, the young son of the Shaw family, notorious for his wild ways.
In my previous life, when Lillian's dog scared me into going into labor early, it was Lucian who sent that rabid dog flying with a kick and stepped in front of me.
Even though he couldn't save my child, I've never forgotten his kindness.
"Lord Lucian," I greeted with a smile. "Why aren't you at the wedding feast?"
Lucian plopped down across from me without a care, grabbed a cake from my table, and started eating.
"Those feasts are a total drag. It's all fake smiles and empty flattery. How tiring. Way better to chill here with you and watch the fun," he said.
He looked at me, eyes bright and full of that unfiltered, youthful sincerity.
"Word is you turned down the Duke of Vaughnsburg's hand in marraige?" he asked.
"You're well informed, Lord Lucian," I teased.
Lucian leaned in, dropping his voice. "Well done." He gave me a thumbs-up. "Joshua seems like a gentleman, but he's petty as they come. Anyone who marries him is just asking for misery."
I couldn't help but laugh.
"Careful what you say, Lord Lucian. He's the future..." My voice trailed off.
"The future what?" Lucian arched his brow, looking totally indifferent.
"My family's always loyal to the throne, not the king. If he turns out to be a wise ruler, great. But if he's a tyrant, you can bet we won't just sit back and take it," he said.
He didn't spell it out, but I caught his meaning right away.
Lucian might act all laid-back, but he was nobody's fool.
Back in my previous life, once Joshua took the throne, he got paranoid about his own allies, and the Shaw family ended up suffering for it.
Lucian ended up dying on the battlefield, not even a trace of him left behind.
Thinking about it, I couldn't help but sigh.
Before I knew it, I found myself saying, "Lord Lucian, if you ever get the chance, don't go to the Cammond region."
Lucian paused for a second, then beamed at me with a wide, carefree grin. "Is that concern I hear from you, Lady Gilda?"