Chapter 5

"Who said you could come in?"

The flush on Helena's face drained away instantly, and she snapped, "You're my husband, and I'm your lawful wife. Why can't I come in?"

Ignoring her, I called a maid in.

"Her Highness is drunk. Help her back to the main wing."

Helena pushed the maid away and sat down on the couch.

"Who said I was going back to the main wing?"

I nodded as if I understood and said, "Then take Her Highness to Master Lucian's rooms."

Helena, whose eyes had already drifted shut, shot to her feet and glared at me furiously.

"Julian, have you lost your mind? You'd send me to another man's bed?

"Do you even think of me as your wife anymore?"

Remembering what I'd overheard that day, I gave a thin smile.

"And you? Have you ever thought of me as your husband?"

Helena froze, and her tone softened.

"Julian, I know you're unhappy that I'm marrying Lucian.

"But you can still stay by my side.

"And I... I just... I just want to give you a child."

I laughed coldly, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Give me a child? Lucian must be a lucky charm, then.

"Thanks to him, even I, the man who could never give Your Highness children, have suddenly sprung back to life."

Hearing me mock her and expose the poisoning, Helena froze for a moment and reached out as if to take hold of me.

"Julian, I..."

Before she could finish, a maid called out from the doorway.

"Your Highness! Master Lucian isn't feeling well. He's asking for you."

Helena drew her hand back and stood there in silence.

"Go."

I let down the bed curtain, shutting her out.

Helena didn't move. She just stood there quietly, looking at me for a long time.

The voice outside kept calling, and in the end, Helena turned and left.

Over the next few days, I had my personal maid put all my private property in order.

Since we were separating, I didn't want to take anything from the princess's residence, and I wasn't going to let her take advantage of me in the slightest either.

On the day of their wedding, I changed into the clothes I'd worn before I was married.

But Helena walked into my room in her wedding gown.

She was the bride, yet for some reason she looked wistful.

"I'm about to marry Lucian. Don't you have anything you want to say to me?"

I nodded. Of course I did.

"I wish you both every happiness, and many long years together."

Helena's eyes dimmed. After a long silence, she said, "I'll treat you better from now on."

I didn't say a word. I stood up, brushed past her, and walked out.

It was time to greet the guests.

Helena, I've never needed love handed out as charity.

Six hours remained until the Emperor's decree.

White roses and silk garlands hung everywhere in the residence.

In the capital, that was a custom reserved for a first marriage.

Four hours remained. I stood in the main hall, smiling as the guests looked me up and down.

Two hours remained. Helena waited with a dark expression for Lucian to arrive for the wedding.

One hour remained. Helena stepped out of the carriage in her bridal veil.

Hand in hand with Lucian, she walked into the great hall surrounded by guests, and the two of them stood before the altar.

As she passed me, Helena paused, a look in her eyes I couldn't read and didn't want to.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today..."

"Do you, Helena, take this man..."

"If anyone here objects..."

"By order of the Emperor!"

A group of imperial guards burst into the great hall, escorting the Emperor's chamberlain in his court robes.