Chapter 4

Early the next morning, I was woken by laughter outside my room.

"Did you hear? The king gave Princess Eleanor a bottle of his prized liquor that he kept in his wine cellar for 50 years as a wedding gift! Her Highness also had Alderwyn's finest craftsmen make a ceremonial crown for Mr. Valerian!

"And that's not all! The most precious of all is the Heartbond pendant prepared by the late king himself! It is said to be passed down only to the prince consort!"

Another voice sneered, "What does that one locked up in there have against Mr. Valerian? He's just a wild boy who grew up at the border, and he's dreaming about marrying someone so way out of his league?"

My fingertips gradually tightened around the bedding.

I recognized that voice. It was James Carter, a servant who, three years ago, had been beaten half to death by the steward.

I had taken him under my wing and given him money to treat his wounds, after which he had dropped to his knees at my feet, crying, saying he would only ever acknowledge me as his master from then on.

…

When daylight was fully bright, Mother came. She didn't even look at me as she ordered the servants, "Move everything from Luke's room to Val's. Val is getting married today. He needs to have the best of everything."

My head snapped up. "Mother, those are things Grandfather left me. They bear the general's private seal and my name is written on them..."

Mother finally turned to look at me. The next instant, a slap landed heavily on my face.

I was struck so hard that I fell back against the edge of the bed, my mouth filled with the taste of blood.

Mother sneered, "Yours? Val is the prince consort! His dignity is the Ashford family's dignity! You're just a male consort specifically named by Her Highness! What use do you have of these things?"

What? So I would essentially just be a plaything to the princess?

One of the palace attendants stepped forward, smiling, and unrolled the decree.

"Princess Eleanor, in consideration of past ties with Mr. Lucien, permits you to enter the palace alongside the prince consort. Even though you are only a male consort, it is still a blessing others could only wish for."

My breath hitched.

Outside, the servants were already carrying an ornate rosewood coffer away.

I rushed over barefoot and grabbed a corner of the coffer. "Put it down! This is mine!"

Mother raised her foot and stepped down hard on my wrist, which had not yet healed from having blood drawn the day before. The wound split open instantly, and blood flowed out.

But she only spat with disgust, "Today is a joyous occasion. If you stir up any more trouble, I will personally see that you are punished."

I collapsed onto the ground and watched with open eyes as the last coffer was carried away. The last bit of pain in my chest felt like it had been dug out and emptied.

The sound of drums and trumpets soon filled the front courtyard—Eleanor had arrived.

I propped myself up on the edge of the bed and felt under the pillow for the pill that would help me feign death. I looked at it for a long time, then finally tipped my head back and swallowed it decisively.

At that moment, the door was kicked open violently. Several guards rushed in and, without saying a single word, grabbed my arms and hauled me up.

"Mr. Lucien, Princess Eleanor has ordered that you go to the hall at once."

And with that, I was dragged all the way to the hall.

My parents sat at the very front, and Valerian, in his wedding robes, had Eleanor nestled beside him.

Valerian looked at me with an air of consideration. "Luke, I know you've always admired Her Highness, but entering the palace comes with a condition."

As if on cue, a servant brought over a bowl of dark medicinal brew.

Eleanor hesitated for a moment, then said in a heavy voice, "Drink it. Val's health has now been properly restored. Any children I bear can only be his. Since you'll just be a male consort, you should cut off any thoughts you ought not to have."

I froze where I stood, my eyes instantly reddening. "Eleanor, I would rather die than marry you!"

A vicious look abruptly surged in Eleanor's eyes, as if stung by my words. "Lucien, don't be ungrateful."

With a single glance from her, the guards strode forward and reached out to grip my jaw and force my mouth open.

I grabbed a porcelain cup from the table and smashed it hard. Then, picking up the sharpest shard, I pressed it against the side of my neck. Beads of blood seeped out instantly.

Gasps of shock rose from the guests filling the hall.

Valerian's eyes reddened, and his voice trembled slightly. "Luke, are you... Are you still thinking of having Her Highness bear children for you? Is that why you won't take the contraceptive brew?"

Mother shot to her feet in fury and scolded sharply, "You wretched creature! Have you gone mad? Must you ruin Val's wedding today?"

Father also slammed the table in rage. "Guards, what are you standing around for? Take that thing out of his hand! Don't let him continue making a spectacle here!"

Eleanor fixed her eyes on me, coldness filling their depths. "Lucien Ashford, you are refusing the dignity I gave you! Guards, tie him up and send him to the palace through the back gates! I will have this contraceptive brew forced down his throat today, one way or another!"

The guards rushed forward at her command—some pried at my wrist while others yanked hard at my arms. I couldn't break free. When the shard was finally snatched away from me, it carved a long, bloody gash across my palm.

Just as a mouthful of the contraceptive brew was forced down my throat, a sharp pain twisted through my abdomen. I tasted the metallic tang of blood on my tongue before spitting it out. Then, I collapsed heavily onto the wedding silks covering the floor.

Before my eyes closed, I saw Eleanor's face go deathly pale as she stumbled toward me. "Luke!"

I sensed someone frantically checking my breath before trembling and falling to their knees. "Your Highness... Mr. Lucien... H-He's not breathing!"