Chapter 3

My father and brothers all held positions at court.

Their reputations were everything to them.

I was certain that, for the sake of their careers, they would at least show up and play their parts.

But on the day of the burial, they didn't come.

I didn't wait. I took up my mother's funereal portrait myself and gave the order for the procession to begin.

With or without them, I would see my mother laid to rest.

The streets were lined with commoners paying their respects. But when we reached the family cemetery, a servant rushed to me in a panic.

He said, "My Lady, there's already a coffin in the burial chamber! What do we do?"

I reached the inner chamber and froze. My mother's tomb was already occupied.

I checked the engraved nameplate on the lid. It was for Ann's mother.

For my mother to be buried here, her coffin would have to be placed in a side chamber, in a position of lesser importance.

They were stripped my mother of her dignity, effectively branding her a consort while the mistress took the seat of honor.

With their venomous intent laid bare before me, I felt my entire frame begin to shake with uncontrollable rage.

My mother had dedicated her life to this family, only to be insulted in death.

"Take that coffin out of here," I ordered.

Ann rushed in, throwing herself onto the coffin, sobbing, "Charlotte, my mother suffered in silence for years. Will you deny her peace even in death?"

Derick appeared from behind her, yelling, "You want your mother buried here? Fine. Surrender the title of Lady to Ann.

"Otherwise, take your mother's corpse and get out."

This title was the last thing my mother had fought for, the legacy she had given her life to secure for me.

If I surrendered it to Ann, my mother's soul would never find peace.

As I stood there, torn, Derick let out a theatrical sigh.

"Alright. You are my daughter, after all. I can't bear to see your mother's coffin jostled about like this. We will move Ann's mother and place yours in the main chamber."

He had his men carry the other coffin out. Then, he dismissed all the servants. "Come," he said to me. "Your brothers aren't here. It is up to you to pay your final respects."

The moment I knelt to bow, Chase lunged from the shadows.

A searing pain exploded in my abdomen. He had plunged a dagger deep into my stomach.

I collapsed against my mother's coffin, my strength fading.

"Seal the tomb!" Derick yelled urgently to Jayson and William.

He turned to Ann, his face alight with triumph, and claimed, "Don't worry, my dear. I've already forged a letter in her blood, claiming she wished to be entombed with her mother.

"This time, I will secure the title of Lady for you. All the noblewomen in the capital will envy you.

"This coffin is empty. I've had your mother's remains buried elsewhere. When I die, I will be buried with her, and she will finally have her rightful place. You, my dear Ann, will be the sole heiress of the Graham family."

Ann's tears vanished, replaced by a smile of pure arrogance.

She looked at me and mouthed two words, "I won."

I watched in horror as they began to seal the tomb, the pain so overwhelming that I couldn't even speak, let alone struggle.

Just as the last sliver of light was about to disappear, I heard Edward's voice echo from outside.

"By order of His Majesty the King! In recognition of her sacrifice for the kingdom, General Linton is awarded a hallowed tomb alongside our fallen legends to receive the eternal blessing and gratitude of the kingdom."

"Where is Charlotte? Have her come out and receive the decree!"