Chapter 1

The call disconnected before I could remind Cassian Blackwell who I was.

Seraphina Valemont. His future wife. The woman who had returned from the border to unite two of Aurelia’s most powerful houses.

I had never expected love from a political marriage, but I had intended to enter it in good faith. I had assumed Cassian would at least offer me basic respect.

Apparently, even that was too much to expect.

I lowered my phone and stared at the dark screen.

Impressive.

My own fiancé did not even have my number saved.

Beside me, Juliette Ashford burst out laughing. The Blackwell protection crest pinned to her jacket shifted as she crossed her arms. Cassian had personally given it to her, allowing her to invoke his family’s authority.

“Oh, this is embarrassing,” she said. “I have no idea how you got Cassian’s private number, but you didn’t actually think he would defend you just because you called, did you?”

People liked to make the phrase *childhood friend* sound innocent. Among royal families and old-money dynasties, it rarely was.

Still, I would not condemn Cassian over another woman’s arrogance alone. I was willing to hear his explanation.

But if he had knowingly allowed Juliette to use his name this way, perhaps the engagement had been a mistake from the beginning.

Juliette’s gaze traveled over my coat, shoes, and shirt.

“Honestly, the maids at Blackwell Estate dress better than you do. What gave you the confidence to compete with me?”

During my years at the border, whether a coat kept out the cold mattered far more than the label inside it.

“I don’t need designer labels to prove my worth,” I said. “Usually, the people who depend on them most are the ones with the least underneath.”

My gaze dropped to the Blackwell crest on her chest.

“And if Cassian willingly protects women like you, perhaps his judgment is not as impressive as I was led to believe.”

Her expression stiffened.

She had ruined whatever pleasure I might have taken in choosing something for the engagement ceremony, so I selected another pink diamond necklace and handed it to the sales associate.

“I’ll take this one. Please wrap it.”

The associate did not move. His nervous gaze shifted between Juliette and me.

“I’m sorry, miss, but this boutique gives priority to members of the nobility and anyone under the protection of a ruling house.”

Juliette tapped the crest.

“Do you understand now? Cassian gave me this himself. Everyone in Northmere knows what it means.”

She stepped closer.

“What exactly do you have?”

I held her gaze without answering.

I did not announce my title or threaten her with the Crown. Years at the border had taught me that real authority rarely needed to shout.

The boutique fell unnaturally quiet. Juliette’s smile faltered, and she took half a step back before catching herself.

“What?” she snapped. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

I turned to the associate.

“I said wrap it. I’m paying.”

His hands began to tremble.

“Please,” he whispered. “I can’t afford to offend Duke Blackwell.”

Murmurs spread through the boutique.

“That’s Juliette Ashford.”

“The duke gave her his personal protection crest.”

“I heard he once had a man expelled from Northmere just for insulting her.”

“This woman should stop before she gets herself arrested.”

The associate swallowed and pushed the necklace back toward me.

“Whatever family you come from, this is Northmere. Duke Blackwell’s word is law here.”

The crowd’s fear restored Juliette’s confidence. Her red heels clicked against the marble as she approached.

“That’s right. This is Cassian’s territory. Your name and money mean nothing here.”

She stopped directly in front of me.

“I’m actually very generous. Kneel, apologize for challenging me, and admit in front of everyone that you had no right to touch something I wanted.”

Her smile sharpened.

“Do that, and I might let you leave Northmere with what little dignity you have left.”

I looked at the Blackwell crest on her chest.

Every threat Juliette made while wearing it was backed by Cassian’s authority.

I had returned from the border prepared to honor our engagement. Yet before I had even met my future husband, his name was already being used to force me to my knees.

For the first time, I wondered whether the Duke of Northmere deserved to stand beside me at all.