Chapter 2

"Whose guard are you, really? Hers, or mine?"

Julius let go of Melanie and slipped back into his usual detached, aloof manner.

"I serve the Knight household."

His gaze landed on the blood staining my fur cloak, and his pupils contracted. "What happened to you? I thought you had more than one guard."

He was right. Before my mother died, she'd left me several skilled guards. My father had dismissed every one of them, claiming they frightened Melanie. Now Julius was all I had left, and even he was a fraud.

He lowered his head, and for one flicker of a moment, guilt crossed his face.

"My Lady, this was my failure to protect you. I've already gone to the punishment hall and taken my penalty."

At that, Melanie grabbed his hand, looking heartbroken, tears welling in her eyes. "Julius, your back is bleeding..."

He looked at her, and his eyes went soft. "Thank you for your concern, Melanie. It doesn't hurt."

I couldn't stand watching them flirt in front of me. I snatched the porcelain cup off my nightstand and hurled it at Julius's feet.

"Get out!"

My eyes burned, my chest heaving with fury.

Julius frowned, clearly displeased, and shielded Melanie as he walked her out. He didn't spare me a single glance.

And yet, there were fresh streaks of blood soaking through the back of his robe.

To stay close to me and get near Melanie, he was willing to go this far.

I spent the next two days in bed. My father had people out cataloguing the treasures my mother had left me.

Melanie sat off to the side, twisting her handkerchief, eyes rimmed red, pouting. "I really do envy you, sister, having so many rare treasures. Not like me, stuck wearing your old hairpins."

He was supposed to be my guard, and yet Julius stood a step behind her, eyes fixed on her, brimming with warmth.

A bad feeling crept over me, and sure enough, a moment later a guard walked in, followed by dozens of servants carrying mahogany chests.

They opened the chests. Inside was a dazzling array of gifts worth a fortune: bolts of silk, famous paintings and calligraphy, gold and jewels.

"These are gifts from His Highness the Prince Julius for Lady Melanie. Word of her brilliance at the flower banquet reached him all the way in Aldenvale, and though he's still recovering there, he wanted to ask whether she might allow him an audience once he returns to the capital."

The maids' eyes lit up at the sight of so much treasure, and they clustered together, whispering.

"Wasn't the Prince Julius supposed to be recovering in Aldenvale? How would he even hear about something happening here in the capital?"

"He must have taken a fancy to Lady Melanie, and this is his excuse to send gifts."

Melanie kept her composure on the surface, but her trembling hands and her barely contained smile gave away exactly how thrilled she was.

I didn't want to watch anymore. I turned and went back into my room.

Julius followed me in and murmured, "The Royal Consort is hosting a banquet at the palace tomorrow. Aren't you going?"

Under normal circumstances, I'd already have started picking out a gown. But I still hadn't fully recovered, and I'd been planning to claim illness and stay home.

I looked at him. "You want me to go?"

He made a sound of assent.

Of course he wanted me there. If I, the legitimate daughter, didn't attend, then Melanie, a mere concubine's daughter, wouldn't get the chance to shine either.

I bowed my head to hide the sorrow in my eyes. "Fine. I'll go."

…

At the palace banquet, a crowd of noble ladies clustered around Melanie, fawning over her.

"I hear Melanie's caught the Prince Julius's eye. She'll be his princess before long!"

Melanie flushed and waved them off. "Don't be ridiculous. My sister isn't even married yet. How could I possibly think about such things?"

"Speaking of Elizabeth, didn't her grandfather make an agreement with the late King that she'd marry no one but a prince? But of the princes old enough to marry now, there's only the Crown Prince, the Prince Julius, and the Prince Caspian. If the Prince Julius has his heart set on you, then Elizabeth will have no choice but the Crown Prince or the Prince Caspian."

At that, the noble ladies all broke into mocking laughter.