Chapter 1

The instant the Seventh Prince, Weston Grey, said this, the great hall fell into dead silence.

Blood dripped from his palm, and the crimson snake coiled around Rose Winslet's wrist lapped it up greedily.

Weston's gaze swept past the crowd and landed on me, daring me to react.

"Father, I'll give up my entire military command. I only want to marry Rose as my primary wife!"

Understanding settled over me at once, and I nearly laughed out loud.

So he'd been reborn too.

"Monica Winslet."

The King, seated high on his throne, frowned slightly and broke the hall's dead silence. "You and Weston have been engaged since childhood. Now that he insists on marrying your cousin, what do you have to say?"

Every eye in the room turned to me at once.

As far as they were concerned, I was about to become a woman publicly jilted by a crippled prince.

Weston stared at me without blinking, the corner of his mouth curling into a barely visible sneer.

I drew a slow breath and bowed low, deeply respectful.

"Since Prince Weston and Rose are truly devoted to each other, I am glad to see it through. I pray for Prince Weston and Rose's happiness, and I wish them an early blessing of children."

A collective gasp went through the hall.

The satisfaction on Weston's face froze, then curdled into fury.

He lowered his voice, biting out each word, "Monica, don't think I don't know exactly what game you're playing. Last time, you got Rose killed. This time, I'm going to make you watch her rule as Queen with your own eyes. I'm going to make you kneel at her feet and beg."

I lifted my head and met his hate-filled eyes, feeling strangely detached.

Playing games? He thought far too highly of himself. A cripple who'd only ever risen by feeding off my blood, and he actually believed he was destined for the throne?

Seeing how graciously I'd handled it, a flicker of approval crossed the King's face, though he still looked troubled.

"Since Monica is being so generous, I'll grant Weston's request. But you've been wronged, Monica, and I intend to find you a fine match of your own..."

The King's gaze swept over the ministers and noble sons filling the hall.

That was when Crown Prince Roman Grey, who had been sitting off to the side watching in cold silence, set down his wine cup.

"Father."

Roman walked slowly to the center of the hall and came to stand beside me.

"Since my brother's heart lies elsewhere, I would offer the position of Crown Princess as my betrothal gift, and ask for the hand of the Duke of Winslet's eldest daughter, Monica Winslet."

Weston whipped around to stare at Roman, disbelief written across his face.

He had no idea that in my last life, if I hadn't thrown myself in front of every disaster meant for him and cleared his path at every turn, he wouldn't have been fit to touch the hem of Roman's robe.

He'd wagered everything he had on that fake. Fine. I'd let him have her.

The day after the marriage decree came down, the entire capital erupted.

Over tea and idle gossip, everyone had something to say about the two young ladies of House Winslet.

"Did you hear? Monica Winslet got dumped by Prince Weston, and then Crown Prince Roman snapped her right up!"

"Everyone knows Crown Prince Roman is a vicious, bloodthirsty man. He had a corrupt official skinned alive in the street just the other day. Monica won't survive three months in his hands, I'd bet."

"If you ask me, it's Rose Winslet who got the good end of the deal. The priest declared her the beast-commanding Saintess, and Prince Weston gave up his military command just to marry her. Now that's true love."

The rumors were still making their way through my household when they reached me. I was reclining on a couch, unhurriedly trimming a prized pot of black orchids.

"My Lady, the things people are saying out there are so unfair. Prince Weston doesn't know a good thing when he sees it!" My maid, Lyanna Larsen, had gone red-eyed with anger.

I set down my shears. "Let them talk," I said mildly. "Only the dead don't have anything to say."

The words had barely left my mouth when the gate was kicked open.