Chapter 4

The next morning, I was awakened by loud laughter outside the courtyard.

"The Crown Prince's betrothal gifts have arrived! I heard that there's exquisite wine made 50 years ago and a diamond tiara crafted by the top smith in the kingdom!

"Most importantly, there's also a rare diamond necklace personally crafted by the late Queen herself, and it's said to be passed down only to the princess consort!"

Another female voice rang out. She scoffed and said, "That bitch inside the room can't even hold a candle to Ms. Monique, of course! She's nothing but a hooligan raised on the frontier. Who does she think she is, trying to covet the princess consort spot from her?"

My fists tightened against the bedding.

I recognized that voice. It belonged to one of the maids, Holly Fleming, and she had nearly been beaten to death by the nanny three years ago. I took her in and gave her money for her treatment, and she dissolved into tears at my feet, swearing that she would only acknowledge me as her master from then on.

As dawn broke, Mom arrived and went straight to the point without even properly looking at me.

"Move all of Meredith's gold and jewelry from her room to Monique's room. It is her wedding today, and we will not let her marry without any precious jewelry on her.

I looked up abruptly at once.

"Mom! That's the jewelry that Grandma left for me! They bear the private seal of the Royal Army General, and my name is also on them…"

She finally looked me in the eyes. Then, she landed a heavy slap on my cheek. I was hit so hard that I fell back against the metal railings on the bed, and my mouth filled with the metallic taste of blood.

"Yours?"

Mom cackled coldly.

"Monique is the princess consort! And her dignity represents the Payne family's dignity as well! You're nothing but a lowly concubine destined to marry into the palace. What's the point of you keeping this jewelry for yourself?"

A concubine?

A palace guard then stepped forward with a smile as he unfolded the royal edict in his hands. He then proclaimed, "His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Colin of the Kingdom of Landor, hereby grants Ms. Meredith Payne permission to enter the Royal Palace alongside princess consort Monique Payne, on account of His Royal Highness' past relationship with her.

"Although she will be a noble concubine, it is still a blessing bestowed upon her that many others would die for."

My blood ran cold. The nanny was already directing the maids to drag out the sandalwood chests from my room containing the gold and jewelry, and I ran over to her, barefoot, grabbing hold of the corner and stopping her from taking them away.

"Put them down! They belong to me!"

Mom lifted her leg and stomped harshly on my palms that still hadn't recovered from yesterday. The wounds tore right open once more, and blood immediately flowed down my hands.

She then said in disgust, "Today is supposed to be a joyous occasion. If you dare to cause any more trouble for us, I will personally break your legs myself."

I was pinned to the ground and forced to watch helplessly as the last of the chests were taken away. At that moment, it also felt as though my heart was ripped out of my flesh.

…

The sound of loud fanfare soon echoed through the courtyard. Colin had personally arrived to escort Monique, his soon-to-be princess consort, to the palace himself.

I crawled back to my bed and felt for the pill under my pillow, staring at it for a long time before ultimately swallowing it.

Just then, my door was violently kicked open, and several old maids rushed in and grabbed me without another word.

"Meredith, the Crown Prince requests to see you."

I was then dragged to the living hall in my disheveled state.

Mom and Dad were seated at the center of the living hall, and Monique was dressed in her snowy-white wedding gown and robes, nestled in Colin's arms.

She looked at me with feigned concern and said, "Meredith, I know that you've always wanted to marry His Royal Highness. There's one condition for you to enter the Royal Palace with us."

After saying this, a maid brought in a bowl of dark, murky liquid and held it to my lips.

Colin hesitated for a brief moment before saying in a deep voice, "Drink it.

"Now that Monique's health is improving, there needs to be a royal heir rightfully born to the princess consort. As my concubine, you will be abandoning all improper thoughts and doing only as I say."

I froze to the ground, and my eyes turned bloodshot.

"I would rather die than be forced to marry you, Colin Livingston!"

A fierce glint suddenly surged in Colin's eyes as he reacted as though he'd been stung by my words.

"Don't be such an ingrate, Meredith Payne."

He strode forward and reached out to grab me by my chin. I quickly grabbed a porcelain bowl from the table and smashed it on the ground. Then, I snatched up the sharpest piece of porcelain and pressed the tip against my neck. Blood trickled out at once.

Everyone in the living hall was shocked.

Monique's eyes turned red. She said shakily, "Meredith… Are you… Are you insistent on giving the Crown Prince an heir? Is that why you refused to drink this contraceptive concoction?"

Mom flew into a huge rage and jumped to her feet, screaming at me, "You ungrateful wench! Are you out of your mind? Are you determined to ruin Monique's wedding day today?"

Dad also slammed his hand on the table in fury. He shouted at the maids, "What are you all waiting for? Remove that thing from her hands at once and stop her from embarrassing the rest of the family!"

Colin glared intently at me, his eyes as dark and malicious as the night.

"I gave you a way out, Meredith, but you're the one who refused to take it. Guards! Seize her and tie her up and drag her into the palace from the back door! She will be drinking this concoction today, by hook or by crook!"

The guards immediately lunged at me, some of them grabbing my wrists, and some others grabbing my arms. When they snatched the broken porcelain from my hands, it left a deep cut in my palm.

I couldn't break free from them.

But just as they forced down a sip of the concoction into my throat, a sudden sharp pain shot through my abdomen. Then, a sweet, metallic taste churned in my throat.

I spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed heavily onto the brocade-covered floor.

Before I closed my eyes, I saw Colin rushing up to me with a pale face.

"Merry!"

I could almost hear someone frantically checking my breathing. Then, the person dropped to his knees and spoke in a fearful, trembling voice.

"Y-Your Royal Highness… Ms. Meredith is dead!"