Chapter 3

Edward had not expected me to be so agreeable. He looked at me in surprise.

I let him stare, sitting at ease, acting like I was truly happy for Lydia. I wanted him to understand that whether in my past life or this one, I had never cared for him in the least. Had he spoken plainly back then, I would never have stood between them.

Under Edward's probing gaze, Lydia was led into the hall.

The moment she saw him, her frail body swayed, and tears spilled down her cheeks. "Edward," she whispered, voice trembling. "You really came."

Edward gazed back at her with equal devotion. It had been ten long years since he had last seen her. "Lydia," he said softly, "I truly came for you."

I let out a small laugh, snapping everyone out of their little daydream. "Prince Edward and Lydia do seem deeply devoted. It's just that Lydia has been by my side every day. I had no idea when the two of you became so close."

As I finished speaking, I turned my eyes to Lydia.

At my question, Lydia immediately lost her nerve and lowered her head. Her body began to tremble, as if fear had seized her whole.

Seeing this, Edward's expression darkened at once. "Lady Sinclair certainly carries herself with great arrogance," he said coldly. "You even dare to pick on Lydia in my presence."

"Do you realize she will soon be my consort?" he continued. "When that day comes, her standing will far surpass that of a mere Lady Sinclair. Even if you meet her then, you will be expected to bow."

The insult was plain as day.

The moment those words left his mouth, my mother was so furious she broke into loud coughing.

My father's beard trembled as he glared at Edward, fury written all over his face, as though he wished to throw him out at once.

I clenched my fists, looked at Edward's arrogant face, and forced myself to appear aggrieved. "I truly do not understand why Your Highness holds such prejudice against me," I said softly.

"I merely meant that if I had known Lydia and Your Highness were already in love, I would have given her freedom papers long ago."

As I spoke, I turned to Lydia. "Lydia, after I rescued you from the brothel, I allowed you to leave. You were the one who said you had no family and nowhere to go. So I allowed you to stay in this household.

"I promised you then that if you ever found a good man, all you had to do was tell me, and I would return your freedom. Do you remember us saying this?"

Lydia glanced at me uneasily and answered in a small voice, "I do."

Edward froze. He had never expected me to be this open-handed. Then it struck him. Perhaps he had hated the wrong person all along.

I paid him no mind. Instead, I told Hazel to fetch Lydia's indenture papers and personally placed them in her hands. "Since you and Prince Edward are truly in love, I have no reason to stand in your way. Take this. You are free."

Overcome with emotion, Lydia cried and bowed to me.

Edward still stared at me in a daze. It was only when he saw Lydia bow that he snapped back to himself. He seized her hand and told her to stand straight. "You're mine now. By what right do you bow before a mere noblewoman?"

At that, my mother could no longer remain silent. "Prince Edward has quite the presence," she said coldly. "To insult Margaret again and again—do you truly believe the Sinclair family has no one left to stand for her?"

Edward snorted. "Lady Sinclair knows perfectly well what she has done," he said. "Ask her yourself—did she truly have no other designs on Lydia?"

My father paused, taken aback. "What designs could Margaret possibly have on Lydia?"

Edward lifted his chin arrogantly. "Such as killing Lydia and taking her place."

My father gave him a look like he was crazy. "Taking her place? What does Lydia have that Margaret would want so badly enough to murder her for it?"

Edward shot me a look full of contempt. "Of course it would be to kill Lydia and replace her as my consort."

This time, my father truly laughed.

So did I.

Edward had completely misunderstood the situation. Was becoming his consort really something to boast about?

"Prince Edward, mind your words," I said coolly. "There is no doubt that Your Highness is distinguished, and I'm sure many young ladies admire you.

"But as far as I know, you were recently confined by His Majesty. And among all the princes, you are the only one who has reached adulthood yet still holds no title, no estate, and no household of your own.

"I find it hard to believe that you are so sought after in this city that I would lose my mind, murder my own maid, and take her place."

In other words, this fallen prince was not worth the trouble.

After that, I dropped all pretense and looked at Edward with open disgust.

The intensity of my gaze made him flinch. He blurted out, "It's true my father does not favor me now, but you should know that this is only temporary. In the future, I will..."

At this point, he regained his composure and stopped himself short. He did not dare say he would one day be king. Instead, he glared at me, teeth clenched. "How do you know I won't one day regain my father's favor? No matter what, I am still a prince.

"You will have to bow to Lydia and me when the time comes. You will spend your entire life beneath my heel."

My parents were once again left reeling with fury at Edward's words.

"So my dear brother holds himself in such high regard," a voice said coolly, "that he demands bows and courtesies at every turn?"