Chapter 4

The blow left me so dizzy that I couldn't get back up for a long time.

"No, that's not it. She was the one who ordered those men to violate me back then—"

Before I could finish, another slap struck me across the face.

William's expression darkened. He looked down at me with cold indifference and said, "When I saw you rushing around with your clothes in such disarray, I thought something had happened to you. That's why I followed you.

"Leah, you've disappointed me beyond words!

"Guards! Strip her down to her undergarments and hang her outside the palace gates for public display. Charge one penny per visit. Let the commoners come and gawk at her!"

"No—"

Before I could finish pleading, someone clamped a hand over my mouth and dragged me away.

The guards stripped me down to my undergarments and hung me beneath the city walls, exposed to the howling wind and driving snow.

As word spread, countless commoners flocked to see me. One mocking remark after another rang through the air.

I listened numbly and prayed only that tomorrow would come soon.

…

At nightfall, Francesca arrived in a thick fox-fur cloak.

She gazed at me with a cheerful smile, her voice full of triumph. "Who would've thought that even your filthy body could still be such a gold mine?

"The admission fees alone have brought in 100 ounces of gold. Your brother said I could keep it all as part of my dowry. I should thank you for that, shouldn't I, dear sister?"

I watched her lips move and wanted to say something.

But perhaps the weather was simply too cold, or perhaps my broken body had finally reached its limit. My vision went black, and I lost consciousness.

Just before I passed out, I thought I heard William's voice.

"Leah, I forbid you to die!"

…

When I opened my eyes again, I was lying in a bed in a side chamber of the palace.

When William saw that I was awake, he sneered, "You certainly have a strong will to live. Francesca and Theo are getting married tomorrow, yet you just had to attempt suicide now. Are you deliberately trying to bring bad luck to her wedding?"

My heart sank. So that cry hadn't been for my sake after all. He had never been afraid of losing me. He was only afraid that my death would ruin his precious Francesca's wedding.

I let out a bitter laugh and silently turned my back on him.

At my reaction, William suddenly hurled the cup in his hand to the floor. "What kind of attitude is that? Since you're so unwilling to see Francesca marry Theo, I'll punish you by making you carry her wedding sedan chair yourself tomorrow. You'll personally deliver her to the General's Estate!"

…

The next day, I was roughly dragged out of bed, dressed, and shoved in front of Francesca's wedding sedan chair.

To display the majesty of the imperial family, William had commissioned an entirely new sedan chair for her, crafted from the finest ironwood.

I might once have been strong enough to carry it, but in my current, ruined state, the task was utterly beyond me.

Several of the bearers gave me sympathetic looks. "Don't worry. We'll bear most of the weight. You just need to walk in front."

I never imagined that the last people in this world to show me kindness would be complete strangers. Their words warmed my heart, and I resigned myself to helping carry the sedan chair.

Unexpectedly, the moment I took a step, all seven men behind me let go at once.

The sedan chair, which weighed hundreds of pounds, came crashing down on me. I staggered under its weight.

Caught completely off guard, I collapsed beneath it and spat out a mouthful of blood!

Theo, who had been waiting on horseback at the front of the procession, rode past me. With no regard for etiquette, he lifted the sedan curtain and anxiously checked on Francesca.

William's face darkened with rage.

"I underestimated you. You were hoping the sedan chair would overturn and crush Francesca to death, weren't you?

"I only wanted to give you a chance to redeem yourself. But now, it seems you need to be sent to the secluded palace to reflect on your actions!" His voice was icy.

The impact had severely damaged my internal organs. I no longer had even the strength to speak, so I simply let the palace servants drag me away like a dead dog.

As Francesca's wedding procession passed through the streets, joyous music echoed throughout the city. Even the palace was filled with celebration.

Meanwhile, outside the secluded palace, several servants spoke in sinister voices. "Princess, don't blame us. You shouldn't have crossed Lady Francesca. When you meet the Grim Reaper, make sure you don't give him the wrong names!"

The moment they finished speaking, towering flames began to lick through the cracks in the door. Thick smoke filled the room and made me cough violently.

Just as I sank into utter despair, I suddenly heard someone outside cry out in astonishment, "Look at the sky! A white rainbow crossing the sun! It's an auspicious omen!"

That brilliant band of white light across the sun was the path home I'd waited five whole years to see.