Chapter 1

I froze where I stood, unable to believe a word of it.

Matthew and I had known each other since childhood. After more than a decade together, everyone in the royal capital of Kingsport knew how much he cared for me.

To marry me, he had barely passed the two trials my father had set for him. Then, he petitioned outside the Shaw estate for three days and nights before my father finally agreed.

He had said he would never marry anyone but me.

Sabella Lane was also my closest friend. She had not been in Kingsport for long, but we were alike in temperament. It wasn't long before we shared everything with each other.

She knew Matthew was the only man in my heart. She had even once teased me by saying that if she were a man, she would fight Matthew for me.

The two of them even got jealous over who could invite me out that day.

To say they had been secretly involved with each other and that Matthew would torture me for fifty years because of her?

What a ridiculous joke!

I was about to argue with the old woman in the bronze mirror when the door to the bedchamber was suddenly shoved open from outside.

The candles shook hard and nearly went out.

My heart lurched as I hurriedly lowered the veil over my head again and grabbed the corners of my dress with both hands tightly.

My heart was pounding, and I felt both nervous and shy. However, my husband did not comfort me gently, nor did he hand me the wedding cup that symbolized eternal union to seal our marriage.

Instead, a large hand reached over and tore the veil from my head. The force was so great that it knocked my wedding hair ornaments away.

The wedding night I had imagined countless times was shattered in that instant.

I looked up in shock and saw Matthew, his face tight with fear and anxiety. A fine layer of sweat covered his forehead, and the eyes that had once held such tenderness for me now held only panic and urgency.

He did not even glance at the face I had carefully made up for him as he held my shoulders tightly. "Gwendolen! Sabella was abducted. I have to save her."

My mind buzzed as if I had just suffered a blow. The old woman's words from the mirror echoed in my ears again, one by one.

When Matthew saw my face go pale, he seemed to realize he had been too rough. His tone softened as he hurried to explain. "You and Sabella are closest friends. She means more to you than anyone. Of course, I can't stand by and do nothing."

After he said that, there was a glint in his eyes as he glanced at me with guilt.

The sight sent a chill down my spine, and I couldn't help but shiver. So… everything the old woman had said was true. All my questions and refusals died immediately.

I lowered my eyes, hid every emotion, then looked up again with a calm face. "Alright."

My voice was very soft, but he heard it clearly enough.

Matthew had thought I would cry, make a scene, or even try to stop him, so he had already prepared what he would say to soothe me. "I know tonight is our wedding night, but a life is at stake. You wouldn't feel at ease if we sent someone else to find her..."

Halfway through, he stopped and stared at me in disbelief. "What did you say? You agree?"

I nodded and pulled myself free of his hands, then I pushed him toward the door. "You're right. A life is at stake, and Sabella is my closest friend. No matter how you look at it, you should go and save her. Make haste. You must bring Sabella back safely. Take as many of the estate's guards as you need. The more people, the better. Go. Do not delay."

The more generous and understanding I acted, the more confused Matthew became. He stared at me for a long time. Only when I urged him again did he snap out of it. His need to save Sabella overcame every doubt.

He no longer hesitated and walked out of the room. "Gwendolen, wait for me."