Chapter 2

Adrian had gone mad, but he also placed me on a pedestal.

He no longer attended court.

He no longer ordered executions.

Day and night, he stayed by my side.

He turned the estate into an impenetrable fortress, not even a fly could get in.

He became painfully suspicious and possessive. If I disappeared from his sight for more than fifteen minutes, he would spiral.

“Bella, this is your favorite apple pie. I made it myself.”

At lunch, Adrian carefully placed a slice onto my plate. The look in his eyes was so hopeful it was almost pleading.

I looked at the apple pie without the slightest reaction.

Back then, I spent countless hours baking this apple pie for him in the middle of winter, yet he hadn't even spared it a glance.

Now he cooked for me himself, and all I felt was amusement.

Everything I once dreamed of having was now within easy reach.

“It's delicious. Thank you, Your Highness.”

I smiled at him, polite and distant.

The light in Adrian's eyes dimmed instantly.

He stared at me, as if trying to find even a trace of the admiration and gratitude that once filled my expression.

“Bella, do you still blame me?”

He set down his fork, his voice strained.

“No.” I shook my head and answered honestly.

I didn't blame him.

Blame required emotion, and I had none.

As for Adrian, he was nothing more than a mission to me now. What was there to blame?

“Then why...”

He stopped himself, panic flashing through his eyes. “Why are you being so formal with me? You weren't like this before.”

The old Izabella Lock would have been happy for half a day because of a single word of concern from him, and secretly wiped away tears over his indifference.

The Izabella standing before him now was utterly unmoved.

“People change after they've died once.”

I said calmly, ladling some soup into a bowl for him. “You're overthinking things, Your Highness. Eat before it gets cold.

Adrian stared at the bowl of soup.

His fingers tightened around the edge of the table until his knuckles turned white.

He had noticed.

He could feel it.

Even though I was right beside him, my heart seemed separated from him by an uncrossable distance.

The helplessness gnawed at him.

It made him restless and afraid.

And then, the person responsible for the tragedy between us arrived.

Sharon.

Given how I used to treat Sharon, this was the moment when I should have demanded to know why Adrian still allowed her to stay.

Instead, I merely glanced at her.

No emotion stirred in my eyes.

“Since your cousin is here, she should join us.”

My tone was calm, almost generous.

“These grapes are quite sweet. Your Highness, let her try some as well.”

The grape in Adrian's hand burst beneath his grip.

Purple juice ran between his fingers like blood.

“Izabella Lock!”

He shot to his feet.

His voice trembled with barely restrained fury.

“You don't care? You truly don't care?”

I looked up at him innocently.

“Why would I? She's your cousin. You grew up together. It's only natural that you're close. If I were upset about it, wouldn't that make me seem childish?”

I behaved like the perfect lady.

I was gracious, understanding, and considerate.

Wasn't this exactly the kind of wife every man dreamed of having?

Yet Adrian looked as though someone had struck him across the face.

His eyes turned crimson as he stared at me.

His chest rose and fell violently.

"How generous of you..."

The words escaped through gritted teeth.

Without warning, he yanked Sharon into his arms and held her against his chest.

Then he looked at me with open provocation.

“Since you're so generous, what if I spend the night in Sharon's chambers? Would you be perfectly fine with that too?”

Sharon let out a startled cry before melting into his embrace.

A smug smile appeared on her face as she looked at me.

I set down my fork and dabbed my lips with a napkin.

“Where Your Highness chooses to spend the night is entirely your decision.”

I rose to my feet and gave a proper curtsy.

“Then I won't interrupt your time together. I'll return to my room and rest.”

With that, I turned and walked away.

My steps were calm, without the slightest hesitation or reluctance.

A deafening crash erupted behind me.

The table had been overturned.

The sound of shattering glass followed.

Then came Adrian's roar, filled with despair and fury.

“Get out! All of you, get out!”