Chapter 3

Even Godfrey took pity on Serena, and his voice lowered further. "But, Your Highness... Lady Consort Serena is still weak from giving birth. She has given Your Highness five children over the years and contributed to the Royal Family, no matter what. I can tell that Lady Consort Serena loves you very much, and you... you do have feelings for her, Your Highness. Why not..."

"Godfrey!" Cedric's voice turned cold, though there was a trace of panic beneath it. "Don't be ridiculous! What feelings could I possibly have for Serena? I'm here to make sure her life isn't in danger. If anything happened to her, Mother would take the opportunity to make things difficult for Gwendolyn."

Cedric said it with conviction, as though he were trying to convince himself. "As for whether she loves me... that's her problem. I've only ever loved Gwendolyn."

Godfrey wanted to say more, but in the end, he merely sighed and fell silent.

The room finally grew quiet. Not long afterward, Serena heard the rustle of clothing. It sounded as though Cedric had stood up, but he came over to the bed and lingered for a while. Serena could feel his gaze resting on her.

A moment later, she heard him mumble something. It sounded as though he was talking to himself, but it also sounded as though he was speaking to her while she lay unconscious.

"Take care of yourself and stop causing trouble."

Soon afterward, she heard footsteps moving farther and farther away.

Only when she was certain he had left did Serena slowly open her eyes. Through her blurred vision, she could see the embroidered canopy above her bed swaying gently. Her cheek throbbed with pain, and her heart felt numb and empty. She could no longer feel anger or sorrow. All that remained was a deep exhaustion and an overwhelming desire to escape everything in this place.

Over the following days, Cedric found various excuses to bestow tonics, gold, silk, and jewelry upon Serena, filling her chambers with gifts. Yet Serena never spared any of them a glance. She did not wonder about his intentions, nor did she think about whether he was apologizing on Gwendolyn's behalf, or whether the gifts were a reflection of feelings and guilt he refused to admit.

All Serena wanted was to recover and leave as soon as possible. She shut everyone out and focused on recuperating from childbirth, never bothering to ask about or involve herself in anything happening beyond her doors.

That continued until Gwendolyn's birthday arrived, an event Serena was required to attend as the Lady Consort. The celebration was held in the Palace's grandest hall and was lavish beyond compare.

Cedric never hid how much he loved Gwendolyn. The banquet itself was extravagant, but what truly astonished everyone was the birthday gift he prepared for her. It was neither priceless jewelry nor a rare antique. Instead, it was a 30-foot painted scroll that Cedric had personally created.

The scroll depicted cherished memories shared by Cedric and Gwendolyn, from their childhood through their wedding day. Every brushstroke was filled with sincerity. At the very end, Cedric had written:

[United in Love]

Cedric was a Crown Prince, yet he had willingly devoted so much time and effort to creating such a gift. The guests praised it endlessly, and many openly expressed their envy. Gwendolyn looked especially delighted. Leaning against Cedric, she glowed with happiness and looked like the most fortunate woman in the world.

Serena, meanwhile, sat alone in a quiet corner with her head lowered, slowly sipping chilled fruit wine and feeling unexpectedly at peace.

Halfway through the celebration, dancers began performing to beautiful music. Gwendolyn watched them for a while before suddenly pouting and setting down her wine glass.

Cedric, whose attention never strayed far from her, noticed immediately.

"What's wrong?"

Gwendolyn frowned and said coquettishly, "Your Highness, do you really think this dance is beautiful? The lead dancer is attractive enough, but she's hardly a great beauty."

Her gaze swept across the hall before landing on Serena. A knowing smile appeared on her face.

"I think Serena is a hundred times prettier than that dancer. I wonder whether Serena would be willing to put on those clothes and dance to 'Aria of the Captive Beauty' for all of us."

The hall fell silent at her suggestion. Guests exchanged uneasy glances, and even the music and dancing came to an abrupt stop.

A dancer was an entertainer. If word spread that the Lady Consort had danced before a room full of guests like a common performer, she would become the laughingstock of the entire capital. If Cedric felt even the slightest concern for Serena, he would never agree to such a humiliating request, even for the sake of the Royal Family's dignity.

Everyone turned to look at Cedric.

Cedric's expression darkened, and he frowned deeply as he looked at Gwendolyn with disapproval.

"Don't be absurd, Gwendolyn. She..."

"Your Highness..." Gwendolyn interrupted him. Tears immediately welled in her eyes, and she looked deeply wronged. "It's my birthday today. All I want is to enjoy a dance performance, and Serena must be a wonderful dancer. Aren't you willing to grant me this small wish on my special day? Or do you not care about me anymore because someone else has taken a place in your heart?"

Those final words were like a hook digging painfully into Cedric's heart. The moment he saw tears gathering in Gwendolyn's eyes, he remembered the promise he had made to her and how he had broken it by marrying Serena. That alone was enough to crush whatever hesitation remained.

"Serena, the Crown Princess wishes to see you dance. Go change and dance for her."

Serena's knuckles turned white as she tightened her grip on her wine glass. After a brief pause, she set it down, rose to her feet, and curtseyed to Cedric.

"Your wish is... my command."

She went into a side hall to change into the dancer's costume. The outfit was brightly colored, and the fabric was light and flowing. Although Serena had not fully recovered from childbirth, the clothing still accentuated her figure.

Her complexion was pale, yet it did nothing to diminish her quiet beauty. Dressed in the dancer's attire, she looked captivating, with a fragile yet alluring charm.

As she moved with the music, her body seemed light and graceful. Every glance and every turn was flawless, far more mesmerizing than any performance that had come before. Yet not a single guest applauded. Instead, whispers spread throughout the hall as people looked at her with either pity or disdain.

Cedric sat in the seat of honor and watched the beautiful figure dancing before him.

Why didn't she cry?

Why didn't she argue?

Why didn't she refuse?

Did she really love him that much?

When he took her child away, she accepted it. When he ordered her to dance before an entire hall of guests, she obeyed without complaint.

A strange, suffocating frustration settled in his chest, and for some reason, Cedric suddenly found it difficult to breathe.