Chapter 2

Henry's gentle expression faded, and he shot Victoria a displeased look.

I felt the tension in the air and rubbed my arms.

Victoria didn't even flinch, keeping that stubborn look on her face, as if she wouldn't bow to anyone.

Honestly, neither of us had much respect for Henry. After all, his rise to the throne had a lot to do with our families.

Henry narrowed his eyes, clearly annoyed. "That's it, Victoria. I've made up my mind. Lady Juliana understands what's best and has already made the sacrifice.

"But you, as the Queen, keep dragging your feet. Is this how a queen should act? The matter is settled."

Victoria was about to say something else, but I gave her sleeve a gentle tug.

Then I spoke to Henry softly. "Her Majesty is just being compassionate. She's worried that separating me from Edward will hurt us both. Now that Your Majesty has decided, she'll go along with it."

Seeing Victoria about to protest, I added, "But this is a big deal. We should let the royal seers choose a lucky day. There's no need to hurry."

Henry nodded, looking pleased. "My beloved, you always know how to handle things. We'll do it your way."

Henry, always pressed for time, wrapped up the discussion and got ready to leave.

Before heading out, he glanced at Victoria, who was still standing there. "Victoria, aren't you leaving?"

I took Victoria's arm. "I have a few private words I'd like to share with Her Majesty."

Henry's piercing gaze fixed on the two of us.

"Since when did you two get so close?" he asked.

Even my son, who'd been meek the whole time, glanced over curiously at us.

I quickly explained, "Edward's about to live with Her Majesty, so as his mother, I have a few things to discuss with the woman who'll be raising him.

"Besides, Your Majesty, isn't it what you've always wanted? For the two of us to get along?"

Henry seemed momentarily at a loss for words, but said nothing more and walked out.

Edward's eyes were full of unshed tears, like he wanted to say something to me, but with Victoria standing there, he just bowed and left.

I wasn't bothered at all.

Back in my previous life, he'd always acted like he couldn't bear to leave me when he was sent to Victoria's care.

But after everything that had happened in my first life, all I wanted was to distance myself from him soon. But he killed me again.

I just couldn't wrap my head around it. Why would my own son hate me so much?

"Juliana," Victoria said, slamming her hand on the table, and jolted me out of my thoughts.

"What are you up to? You and your son teamed up to kill me in our previous lives. Are you planning to pull the same trick again?" she snapped.

I calmly waved off the attendants and then had my most trusted people guard the door.

"Victoria, you traveled back in time, right? Let's just be straight with each other," I said.

I told her how I'd lived through three lifetimes. Victoria was stunned, jaw on the floor.

"Sounds like your life had been more miserable, after all," she said.

I rolled my eyes. She was still trying to compete with me at a time like this.

But then she frowned and said, "Hold on, that doesn't make sense. Right before I died, he said, 'Blame yourself for taking me away from her.' Wasn't he talking about you?"

Both of us went quiet, each lost in our own thoughts.

"Whatever. The adoption and coronation are still a few days away. He's your son, so you should know him best. Why don't you go figure out what that scheming little devil is planning?" Victoria said.

That really got under my skin.

"So now he's my son? He's only fifteen, and you were the one who raised him for ten years last time. I thought you'd educated him better, yet you still ended up with the same fate as me," I said.

"He was too good at putting on a show. I never saw his true face until it was too late. My love for him was genuine," Victoria said.

I thought of Edward's meek face, and for a moment, I had nothing to say back to her.

Victoria didn't lie. In my previous life, I even sent people to keep an eye on her. She might not have treated Edward exactly like her own, but she never treated him harshly.

I just couldn't make sense of it. In my first life, I figured maybe I hadn't raised him right, so when I got a second chance, I let him stay with Victoria, thinking she'd do a better job.

But somehow, he still ended up murdering both of us.

Why did it always turn out like this?

"You're always quick-witted. So, got a plan?" Victoria asked.

"I think Henry's got something to do with this too. I need you to help me investigate. Let's each look into it on our own," I said.

I leaned in and whispered in Victoria's ear, explaining every detail I could think of.

Victoria might be straightforward, but she was sharp. I trusted her to take care of whatever I asked.

As soon as Victoria left, Edward made his entrance.