Chapter 2

When I saw Damien carelessly rummaging through the weapons Mother and Kate had treasured in life, rage shot straight to my head.

Those weapons bore witness to the half a lifetime they had spent at war!

Now, Damien was picking through them as casually as if he were browsing ordinary wares at a market stall.

My composure snapped in an instant. I charged forward and roared, "Clarisse Kaylock! Stop!"

The two of them turned at the sound, astonished.

Damien asked with disdain, "Well, if it isn't Russ. What are you doing back? The frontier is in turmoil after a major battle. Shouldn't you be cleaning up the aftermath and consoling the wounded?"

Clarisse's face darkened as she looked at me, and her tone was stiff. "Russ! I never imagined you'd stoop to such a lie just to get me to go to the frontier!"

I never imagined Clarisse would trust me so little either.

She would rather believe I was throwing a willful tantrum than believe that Mother and my sister had truly died at the frontier.

An immense sense of absurdity and sorrow welled up inside me.

Perhaps the bloodshot eyes and haggard look on my face were too obvious, because Clarisse's tone softened slightly.

"Fine. You've just been through a battle and you're worn out, so I won't hold it against you.

"But these weapons are just lifeless objects anyway. It's better to give them to someone who truly likes them. When Marion and Kate return, I'll give them new weapons they'll love!"

Someone who truly likes them?

Did she mean this young lord in front of me, who might never have even seen blood?

I swallowed the coppery taste rising in my throat and said firmly, "Put them down. No one touches them!"

A flash of gloating crossed Damien's face, but his voice grew even more aggrieved. "Your Highness, since Russ is so unwilling, let's forget it. He must be angry that you couldn't send help in time when the frontier was in danger a few days ago."

As he spoke, he gave Clarisse's sleeve a gentle tug.

"I'm sorry, Russ. I apologize on Her Highness's behalf. It's all because of my weak constitution. I was frightened during the hunt, and Her Highness was worried about my safety, so she was delayed... If you need to blame someone, blame me."

Clarisse immediately shielded him behind her, her gaze full of impatience and reproach.

"Russ, Damien is of the noblest birth and in poor health. The situation was critical at the time. How could I ignore him?

"You're from a military family, trained in combat since childhood. When did you become so petty and so blind to the bigger picture?"

I knew Clarisse was royalty and that protecting the young lord was her duty. I had even tried to convince myself not to read too much into it.

But she acted as though she held a royal pardon, certain I would always understand, and she grew more and more brazen.

Rumors had long circulated in the capital that the Princess Royal and Damien were too close, practically inseparable.

She had once missed the hour for returning to inspect the camp defenses because she was out admiring the snow with him.

I had waited until late at night, wanting to ask her about the frontier defenses.

Instead, she had snapped at me, saying I was paranoid and couldn't keep public and private matters apart.

This was the first I'd heard that a princess needed to tie a fox-fur cloak around the young lord with her own hands, or soak in hot springs with him to soothe his frightened nerves.

I couldn't help letting out a cold laugh.

"I don't care what's going on between the two of you. None of it has anything to do with me anymore!

"But right now, put down my mother's and sister's things and get out of the Denton estate!"

At that, fury flared in Clarisse's eyes.

"Russ, how dare you! How dare you spew such filthy nonsense before a princess!

"Kneel and apologize to Damien at once, and beg for his forgiveness.

"If you keep up this unreasonable tantrum and keep running your mouth, don't blame me for disregarding our marriage!"

In the past, I might have swallowed my pride at her words.

But now, all that was left in my heart was ice and hatred.

I said mockingly, "Our marriage? Clarisse, what's left between us?

"I've already sent you the letter of separation. From the day you stood by and watched my mother and sister die and Avington Pass fall, everything between us ended!"