Chapter 2

Watching Edmund's ears turn faintly red, I could not stop myself from asking,

"Didn't you once say that an honorable man should carry a sword, earn glory on the frontier, and drive the northern raiders beyond our borders?

"Why is marriage all you think about now?"

Edmund froze, apparently surprised that I had asked.

"The northern frontier is bitterly cold, and a blade can't distinguish one life from another. A respected post in the capital is far safer.

"Besides, Lydia's delicate. She could never endure the wind and dust of a border province.

"Since I've decided to ask for her hand, naturally I must remain in the capital beside her."

Yet Edmund had once pointed toward the northern sky with all the passion of youth.

"One day I'll lead the royal cavalry through Frostgate Pass and make certain no raider ever threatens Alderwyn again!"

Back then, his eyes had held stars, mountains, and endless battlefields.

Now the sword that had once dreamed of defending the border had willingly become a bureaucrat's pen for Lydia's sake.

I could not help remembering the royal decree that had arrived secretly at Hemsworth Hall three days earlier.

Clutching the gold-edged parchment, I had gone to find Father.

Inside his study, my parents were discussing Lydia's dowry.

I was about to knock when Mother sighed.

"Lydia's marriage will be easy enough. It's Rosalind who worries me...

"How can twin sisters be so different?"

Father clicked his tongue in contempt.

"She's the elder daughter, yet no marriage has been arranged for her!

"If society begins to suspect that something is wrong with a Hemsworth daughter, who will still come seeking Lydia?

"Find Rosalind any tolerable household and send her away before she damages Lydia's prospects."

My raised hand could no longer knock.

I turned and went to my brother's rooms instead.

He was practicing his penmanship and did not look up.

"Gideon, do you know what sort of man the Crown Prince is?"

What I truly wanted to ask was whether the prince would make a worthy husband and whether I should accept the charter.

I had barely spoken when Gideon set down his pen with an irritated sigh.

"Why are you asking? The position of Crown Princess has nothing to do with you.

"Stop dreaming of climbing into the royal family and settle your own marriage before it becomes an embarrassment."

I stood there, my lips parting, but in the end I said nothing.

That evening, I went to the training court Edmund often used.

He was polishing his sword, its edge cold as water beneath the moonlight.

"Edmund, what do you think of the Crown Prince-"

He interrupted without even lifting his head.

"Don't tell me you plan to present yourself at court. Stop indulging in impossible fantasies."

Three person, and three rejections.

Not one person had enough patience to hear my question to the end.

No one had ever asked me,

Rosalind, is there anyone you would choose for yourself?

Now all four of them were arguing endlessly over Lydia's marriage.

Hours passed without a decision.

Mother sighed.

"Our Lydia is beautiful and gifted enough to become Crown Princess herself.

"I wonder which young woman was fortunate enough to stumble into first place!"

Her voice was full of envy and reluctant resentment.

Father set down his teacup and answered casually.

"She's probably the eldest daughter of some scholarly house who has enjoyed private tutors since childhood. There's nothing remarkable about it."

Gideon waved a dismissive hand.

"I imagine she's plain and unable to find a husband, so she took the women's examination to chase the title of Crown Princess.

"Lydia already has noble heirs lining up to marry her. Why should she care?"

The woman they belittled with every sentence was me.

Since that was how they felt, I no longer needed to ask for their advice.

A royal marriage charter was a rare honor.

If I was going to marry, I would marry the man destined to become the kingdom's most powerful ruler.