Chapter 1

After the fall of my kingdom, I ended up in a brothel, only to be rescued by Lieutenant General Winston Laurent.

I became his favorite among all his caged beauties.

He praised me countless times when we were tangled up in bed, saying that I was the only one who understood that his wife was strict, and that I never asked for too much or made things difficult for him.

But, I had a terminal illness.

Mother used to say that if a woman dies with no title and status, she would not be treated kindly even in death.

That night, Winston laid in bed with me, his lips brushing against my earlobe as he flirted like he always did, "You want something, don’t you?"

"I...I do," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Tell me, what do you want?" Winston grinned.

"I want you to marry me," I whispered.

The moment the words left my mouth, Winston’s expression went cold. Without a word, he got up and left.

Utterly despondent, I set the gilded cage ablaze, wishing to end it all with the flames.

It was only later that I learned that Winston had left that night to officially file for a divorce from his wife.

*****

Seeing Winston lose interest and put on his robe, I knew he was about to leave.

Panic surged through me. I scrambled out of bed and dropped to my knees in front of the door, tears streaming down my face.

"Sir, if you'd have me, please, take me as your concubine," I pleaded.

Winston was silent for a long time. Then, he unfastened his belt and tossed it to the floor. I knew instantly that his desire was reignited.

I was just about to get up and serve him, but he shoved me back onto the bed. "Don't get up. This is just right. Be gentle. Let's see how well you serve me first."

He was rougher than ever before. I tried to fight back, but he pinned me down tightly, leaving me helpless and whimpering. Maybe I'd really crossed a line with him. He'd never treated me this way before.

After it was over, he pulled up his pants, looking satisfied, and walked out, swinging himself onto his horse.

I leaned against the doorframe, eyes red, as I asked, "Sir, what about your promise?"

He rested his hand on the sword at his saddle, his gaze cold as frost as he said, "I'll pretend you never said anything. Don't blame me for what I'll do if you bring it up again."

With that, he tossed a bag of gold coins at my feet and rode off without another glance.

I wandered back into the room in a daze, absent-mindedly tidying up the rumpled sheets.

Hidden beneath the pillow was Winston's vow to marry me, written in his own blood. Just seeing it sent a wave of memories flooding back.

My mother was never in favor at court.

Back then, I spent eighteen years locked away in that tiny, cramped, cold side palace. My whole world was no bigger than the palm of my hand.

It wasn't until Winston led his troops into the city that my mother grabbed me and we escaped in the chaos. That was the first time I ever set foot outside the palace.

But my mother had been killed by a stray arrow, and I was dragged off by an armored general.

Just as I was about to be assaulted, Winston showed up and kicked the guy aside.

The man had furiously jabbed a finger at him. "Lieutenant General Laurent, how dare you side with the enemy? The General will hear about this, and I'll see to it that you get punished!"

I cowered in fear, instinctively wanting to grab Winston's sleeve, but I was terrified of dragging him down with me, so I just shrank back, not knowing what to do.

But Winston fearlessly reached out, took my hand, and pulled me into his arms.

Then he ripped a piece of his robe, bit his finger, and used his own blood to write a marriage contract on the spot.

"I am Winston Laurent. Take this. From now on, you belong to me. I'll keep you safe. No one will ever mess with you again," he said with a dazzling smile.

With that, he shot a cold glare at the man on the ground.

Dumbfounded, I met his hopeful gaze and took the bloody contract from his hand.

The man yelled, "Fine, just you wait!"

After that, Winston took me along as he tried to talk down those who'd rather die than surrender. He never once raised his sword against them, and stayed by my side as I laid my mother to rest.

But what was bound to happen finally did. The man snitched on Winston to the General.

Even though Winston tried to defend himself, he was still punished with eighty lashes in the name of demonstrating military authority.

I watched blood seep through his thin pants, my heart aching as I rushed to his side.

Tears streamed down my face as I pleaded, "Please, tell the General you changed your mind. Don't let them beat you anymore."

But Winston forced a smile and gently brushed a stray lock of hair from my forehead.

"Silly girl, wouldn't it ruin your reputation if I went back on my word?" he said softly.

He was just nineteen, brimming with youthful confidence and pride. With those words alone, I gave him my heart completely and without reservation.

But not long after, fate tore us apart, and I was abducted and sold off to a brothel.

The memory came to an abrupt end, and I was pulled back to reality by the sharp clatter of hooves in the courtyard.

I glanced outside and saw Winston riding back in.

My heart leapt.

Is he coming back for me? Did he change his mind? Is he coming back to marry me?