Chapter 3

Aleron deliberately tormented her. “You have neither the right to question whom I choose to embrace, nor the place in which I choose to do so.”

Snow lowered her eyes, but she did not fail to notice, from the corner of her vision, the change that had come over Verde.

The color had departed from her face, and her fingers had tightened so firmly around her handkerchief that the delicate fabric trembled between them.

It was only then that Snow understood that this was not merely an act of thoughtless cruelty.

Aleron’s pride had been wounded by the sight of Verde’s affection for another man, and he sought to awaken within her the same jealousy that had long tormented him.

But what of her?

She was a woman. Had he ever considered the humiliation and indignity of being made a spectacle before the very court that watched in silence?

The officials turned away, their expressions carefully composed. Even the musicians ceased their playing.

The grand chamber fell into a deathly silence which was only broken by the sounds of garments being torn and her sobs.

When Aleron at last withdrew, he did so with the same composure with which he had entered. His garments remained untouched, and his dignity preserved.

Snow, however, was left with nothing but the remnants of her pride.

She sank from the throne like a discarded thing, yet Aleron did not spare her even a passing glance before leaving.

The servants remained turned away, each pretending that the scene before them had never occurred.

Snow remained upon the floor. Her hands clenched so tightly that her nails dug into her palms.

In that moment, she understood the place she occupied in Aleron’s eyes. She was not a woman to him. She was not even a person.

By the time the banquet ended, Snow could scarcely make her way back to her chamber. Her steps faltered, and her knees trembled beneath her, yet she continued forward.

Then, without warning, a force struck against her back.

“Ahhh!!!”

A cry escaped her lips as she fell into the icy waters of the lake. The cold seized her instantly.

She struggled desperately toward the shore, and her fingers at last found the stones around the lake, only for another force to send her back into the depths.

“Help…”

The word escaped her faintly before the water swallowed it. Her strength faded. Her thoughts grew distant.

Just before darkness claimed her, she saw a figure standing beside the lake.

It was Verde.

When Snow next awakened, she found herself lying in a quiet side chamber.

Her throat burned, and every breath felt painfully difficult.

“You’re awake?” Verde sat beside her, dressed in a gown of exquisite beauty. The jewels at her ears swayed delicately as she moved. She was a picture of elegance and grace.

“Do you truly believe that a few nights in His Majesty’s company have granted you power? You mistake his attention for affection. You are merely a means by which he releases his anger.

“Once His Majesty forgives me, he shall bring me into the palace. When that day arrives, you will no longer have any place beside him, no matter how desperately you wish otherwise.”

Snow opened her lips to answer.

She wished to say that she had never sought Aleron’s favor, nor desired the affection Verde believed she possessed.

Slap!

But before she could speak, Verde suddenly raised her hand and slapped herself.

In the next moment, turning her gaze toward the door, she allowed tears to gather in her eyes. “I was only concerned for you, Snow. How could you do such a thing to me?”

Before Snow could comprehend the deception, the door was thrown open.

Aleron entered with a dark and severe expression. “Do you have a death wish?”

Snow immediately lowered herself into a curtsy. “I did not do it, Your Majesty.”

She had always known that even though Aleron resented Verde for becoming another man’s wife, he had never ceased loving her.

He had not brought her into the palace as his queen because circumstances prevented him from doing so. He had only just claimed the throne, and he could not take another man’s wife as his sovereign consort.

But once his position was secure, Snow knew he would eventually make Verde his queen.

“Quiet!” Aleron roared and turned to Verde. “Leave us.”

Verde hesitated, feigning concern. “But Your Majesty, my sister…”

“Do not worry. I shall ensure she pays tenfold for what she has done,” Aleron said coldly.

A fleeting satisfaction passed through Verde’s eyes, though her voice remained gentle as she said, “Is that not rather severe?”

But Aleron ignored her and gestured. “Do it.”

Two servants stepped forward. They grabbed Snow by her hair and dragged her out of bed before striking her repeatedly.

Smack! Smack! Smack!

The sound was deafening in the quiet room.

Snow’s face was swollen. Blood traversed the corners of her mouth as her vision turned dark.

In the end, her strength failed her and she slumped to the floor. The last thing she was aware of was Aleron turning away and leaving the chamber with Verde beside him.

…

The following morning, Snow forced herself to attend upon Aleron as she had always done.

She kept her head lowered as she poured his drink.

But when he saw her swollen face, he scowled and flung the cup to the floor.

“You’re a horrid sight!” he said coldly. “With your face in such a condition, you resemble her not at all. Return to your room. Do not sully my eyes.”

“My apologies. I shall take my leave,” Snow lowered herself into a curtsy.

No sooner had she left than Emmanuel caught up with her. “One moment, Miss Snow.”

He presented a small bottle to her. “This is an ointment for your injuries. His Majesty entrusted it to me. I possess only this one bottle, so you must make careful use of it.”

Snow felt touched. “Thank you, Mr. Jefferson.”

From a distance, Aleron watched her retreating figure. For a long while, he remained silent, his expression unreadable.

“Why trouble yourself in such a manner, Your Majesty? If you truly have concern for her, you might have given the ointment to her yourself,” Emmanuel said.