Chapter 4

The gift Jeffrey bestowed to Cecily was even more astonishing. Gold, silver, jewels, broadcloths, and other valuables poured into Cloud Palace as though they cost nothing.

There was also the Sage's Rose in Cecily's private garden. I heard it was a rare treasure Jeffrey had sent men to find in the Far South. When it was transplanted, dozens of gardeners were summoned to tend it day and night, all to make her smile.

During the years when he favored me most, the realm had only started to know peace. Everything was waiting to be rebuilt and the treasury was empty. I even had to think twice before having new gowns made.

So… When it was for someone he loved with all his heart, it did not matter if he was spending it all on her.

Jeffrey sighed again, his tone softening. "Oh, Kat… When will you understand that I'm doing this for you? When will you become gentle and tender like Cecily?"

I suddenly felt as if I had become Sunny in that cage, trapped inside one tiny cage.

Once, I had my own work, my own friends, and my own life. But now? I could only depend on him. I had to please him, obey him, and play the virtuous queen before him. Just like this kitten, I had to be sweet and obedient to earn his pity.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded outside the bedchamber.

A young palace attendant named Liam rushed inside. "Your Majesty, Lady Cecily sent word that she has been suffering nightmares these past few nights, so she summoned a court magus from the Astronomy Tower to perform a rite. The magus said something evil is stirring in the southwest... Lady Cecily begs Your Majesty to restore peace to the palace."

The southwest…

That was where my child was buried.

"My love, you know these tales of ghosts and spirits are all nonsense! Are you going to indulge her and let her desecrate our child's ashes?" I almost growled.

Something unreadable flashed through Jeffrey's eyes. "Kat, just give in a little. We are husband and wife, after all. As long as you get along with Cecily and stop being angry at me, I'll step in for our child."

Give in?

How did we lose our child?

Who sent that bowl of medicine laced with poison?

After Jeffrey found out the truth, what did he do?

Cecily's family held great military power back then and the northern border was restless. He needed their hundred-thousand cavalry to hold the kingdom steady.

He knelt beside my bed, held my hand, and solemnly swore, "Kat, once I have secured this throne, I'll avenge our child. Wait for me. You must wait for me."

But he had not avenged our child. Now Cecily, the murderer, was pregnant with his child instead.

I looked at the man before me and suddenly realized he felt so unfamiliar. "Jeffrey, the man you have become is so disgusting… The dead cannot be revived anyway. Do whatever you want..."

"Kat, why not have the child's ashes sent to the Temple of the Last Judge? The priests there can perform the necessary rites so he can rest in peace." Jeffrey suggested.

While it looked like he was making compromises, that temple was far away. The mountain road was rough, and bandits roamed that area.

As queen, I could not leave Thronehold without his decree. If I wanted to go, it would require a grand procession.

I gritted my teeth. "You have truly given this so much thought, Your Majesty. I only wonder when I will be able to go and pray for my child."

"Your health matters most. Once you have recovered, I will accompany you there myself," Jeffrey said.

Then, he continued, "Kat, the child is already gone. Why must you keep thinking of him every day and wear yourself down? You have been staying in Peacock Hall all day lately. Of course your thoughts wander when you have nothing to do.

On the fifteenth of next month, I want to hold a small banquet for Cecily. It will bring some joy to the palace. You will see to this personally."

He was moving my child's ashes a thousand miles away, and now he wanted me to arrange a celebration for the murderer who had killed that child?!

"I won't do it."