Chapter 2

The noblewomen gathered around us were practically buzzing with excitement.

Everyone in the capital knew how hopelessly infatuated I was with Theo.

I'd taken a sword for him on the battlefield, tested poison for him in the southern territories, and bled myself dry on a snowy mountain to keep him alive. I'd even brought him back from the brink of death with my own two hands.

Everyone was waiting for me to lose control and make a scene, eager to cement my reputation as a "madwoman" and a "slut."

What they didn't know was that five years ago, the moment Theo had personally thrown me into a den of beggars just to win Francesca's favor, my obsession with him had died along with my dignity.

I smiled faintly. "Then congratulations. May you two lovebirds live happily ever after. I'm nothing but a withered flower, unworthy of a young general like you. So I'll take my leave."

The mocking amusement vanished from Theo's face as he watched me leave, lost in thought.

William was the first to snap. "Leah, stop right there! Do you think I can't see through your malicious schemes just because you're putting on this act?

"You're just trying to make people gossip that I favor Francesca and drove the real princess away at the Imperial Winter Festival. Well, I won't let you have your way! Get back here and serve Francesca some wine!"

His face was livid, but for some reason, his voice trembled slightly toward the end.

In the past, I would've caught every flicker of emotion in his voice. I'd have stayed by his side when he was discouraged and comforted him whenever he was upset.

But now, his anger stirred nothing in me. I couldn't even be bothered to guess what had set him off.

I simply turned around as ordered and took the maid's place in full view of everyone.

Francesca looked thoroughly pleased with herself as she ordered me to serve her wine and fetch whatever else she wanted.

I obeyed without complaint, never once feeling sorry for myself.

During my five years at St. Faith's Abbey, surrounded by little more than prayer candles and ancient scriptures, I'd searched through countless forgotten texts. Not long ago, I'd finally found The Oracle's Atlas.

Before the system severed its connection to me, it had left me one final instruction.

[If you ever regret your decision and want to return home, you can go back to Edelmont on the day the white rainbow crosses the sun.]

According to the chart, the rare celestial phenomenon, which occurred only once every 100 years, would appear in two days.

I only had to endure another 48 hours, and I'd finally be free.

Perhaps noticing how distracted I was, William scoffed and ordered his attendants to bring out this year's birthday gifts for the princess.

One by one, chests filled with pearls, silver, and gold were opened before me.

Theo wasn't about to be outdone, either. He gently draped a white tiger fur cloak he'd acquired from the northern frontier over Francesca's shoulders.

Strangely, despite both men openly showering Francesca with affection, their eyes kept drifting toward me as though they were waiting for something.

When I showed no reaction, they both looked faintly disappointed, an unusual expression for either of them.

I honestly had no idea what was going through their minds.

When Francesca falsely accused me of drugging her, they were the ones who'd personally broken my legs and handed me over to a cruel old servant, who assaulted me throughout the night.

To appease Francesca, William, my half-brother, had even schemed to make our beloved father and mother walk in on the scene.

My mother had died of shock on the spot, while my father fell gravely ill. Before long, he too passed away, consumed by grief.

After William ascended the throne, rumors of my supposed promiscuity spread throughout the capital.

They'd do absolutely anything to make Francesca happy, so why were they putting on this ridiculous display in front of me now?

I couldn't understand it, and I couldn't be bothered to try.

Francesca seemed to notice something was amiss, too. She made an excuse to leave and freshen up.

She'd barely left when I heard a horse whinny behind me. A split second later, a powerful kick sent me flying through the air, and I crashed heavily to the ground.

I struggled to lift my head and recognized the little chestnut mare I'd brought back from the northern frontier and raised with my own hands.

Yet now, the very horse that had once obeyed no one but me allowed Francesca to sit on its back. It reared up and brought its front hooves crashing down on me!

I instinctively raised my arms to shield myself.

But both arms had been broken countless times during the abuse I'd endured at the abbey. After standing for so long that day, I was too weak to muster even the slightest bit of strength.

The little mare brought one hoof down on my ribs with enough force to crush them and make me spit blood.

William and Theo scrambled to their feet and rushed toward me in alarm.

At the same time, Francesca burst into tears from atop the horse. "The horse spooked! I can't control it!"

Both men immediately changed direction. One drew his sword and plunged it into the little mare's neck, while the other pulled Francesca tightly into his arms.

"Let us see if you're hurt!"

As if anything could've happened to Francesca. She'd simply wanted me to see that even the little horse I'd raised with my own hands had become her plaything.

The pain was so intense that I couldn't help curling into a ball.

When Francesca saw me lying there in such a wretched state, a faint smile touched her lips. "This is the horse my sister raised. I suppose it got a little too excited when it saw her. I don't blame it."

In the next instant, William strode over and kicked me hard in the leg. "You've trained in martial arts since you were young, yet you nearly got Francesca hurt! And now you're putting on this pathetic, helpless act to win everyone's sympathy?

"I was wrong about you. I thought you'd finally changed for the better, but it turns out you've only become more calculating!

"If you love pretending to be weak so much, then get out of here and go work as a lowly servant at the princess' estate! You can come back and see me when you've finally learned your lesson!"