Chapter 3

"Heavens… what is that?"

"What a terrifying scar…"

"Isn't she the Barden family's eldest daughter? No wonder she hides behind a veil."

The whispers slithered into my ears like venomous snakes.

Triumph gleamed in Maggie's eyes as she smiled sweetly.

"Oh my, Alicia, with such an ugly face… it seems even a silver hairpin is too fine for you."

The sting of the crowd's contempt burned hotter than the scar on my cheek. My vision blurred as tears welled unbidden.

Nicholas shifted uneasily, torn between pity and shame, as though my very presence disgraced him. He lifted a hand, signaling the servants.

"What are you staring at? Disperse!"

The sharp hum of gossip fell silent. Then he strode toward me.

"Alicia," he coaxed, "listen to me. Look at your reputation now. Who but me would take you? Do you really mean to marry a beggar off the street?"

Maggie's lips curved in mock sorrow. "Alicia, do you see how kind Nicholas is to you? Even I envy you."

Yet in his eyes, all I saw was hatred. And still, he lapped up her act like a starving dog.

"Maggie, don't worry," he assured her immediately. "You are my rightful wife. She'll never be more than a concubine. I won't allow her to overstep you."

After soothing her, his gaze cut back to me, cold as ice.

"Alicia, if you want to enter my household as a concubine, you must swear never to bear children."

At his signal, a servant stepped forward, offering a porcelain vial with both hands.

Alarm prickled at the back of my neck. Instinctively, I stepped back, only for Nicholas's hand to seize my chin in a bruising grip.

"Alicia, be a good girl. You must drink this."

Maggie's smile bloomed, bright as poisoned blossoms, her eyes glittering with cruel delight.

The bitter stench of the concoction invaded my senses. I jerked my head away, resisting.

"I won't drink it! Who said I agreed to be your concubine?"

In the struggle, the vial slipped. It shattered with a sharp crack, its contents splattering across Nicholas's robes.

His face darkened. His fingers tightened around my chin until pain shot through my jaw.

"Alicia, what do you mean by this?"

I lifted my gaze, glaring at him through tears.

"I mean… I would rather wed a beggar in the gutter than stoop to be your concubine!"

Rage blazed in his eyes, edged with vicious malice.

"Fine! I didn't expect you to remain so stubborn. If you won't be my concubine, then you can be a whore for beggars instead."

His men moved swiftly, ushering in a cluster of filthy beggars who had been loitering by the wall.

The stench of unwashed bodies closed in as they surrounded me.

Maggie laughed, her voice honeyed with false pity.

"Nicholas, Alicia only lashes out because she thinks I've stolen her place. It's all my fault."

Nicholas pulled her into his arms.

"Maggie, how could it be your fault? You already agreed to let her be my concubine. You're too kind. She's the one who refuses to appreciate the favor."

His contemptuous gaze flicked to me. "She brought this upon herself."

Maggie nestled against him, tilting her chin with smug satisfaction. Her lips curved into a delicate, poisonous smile.

"Alicia, don't blame us. You simply don't know your place."

She heaved a feigned sigh, eyes bright with malice.

"But don't worry. These beggars may be filthy, but at least they're men. That's better than marrying a eunuch, isn't it?"

My fists clenched tight, nails cutting into my palms.

Nicholas gave a derisive laugh, tightened his arm around Maggie's waist, and turned to leave. His parting words were like a knife of ice, "Enjoy yourself."

The door slammed shut behind him with a resounding bang.

Darkness swallowed the shop.