Lahat ng Kabanata ng Scorned by Family, Crowned by Decree: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 9

When we staged plays as children at Hemsworth Hall, my sister was always the noble heiress everyone rushed to rescue.My brother played the sword-bearing guard who would die for her, while the young marquess became the heroic commander who fought through every obstacle.I was always cast as the wicked enchantress everyone despised.Apparently, nothing changed when we grew up.Since no one cared whom I married, I would accept the King's decree and become the wife of the man who would one day rule the kingdom.When I remained silent, my childhood friend, Edmund Ashford, urged me to answer."You're no longer young, and you have no reputation to recommend you."Any respectable man without a title who agrees to marry you is already doing so out of respect for the Hemsworth name."Choose one quickly and stop delaying."I bit my lip in humiliation, my heart aching with injustice.Under the laws of Alderwyn, the woman who placed first in the Royal Women's Service Examination could, i

At the end of the discussion, Mother removed a gold hair ornament with dangling garnets from her jewelry case."Your grandmother left this as part of her granddaughters' bridal inheritance."After placing it in Lydia's hair, Mother stepped back and admired her with a smile."Only on Lydia does this ornament truly come alive."Lydia turned her head from side to side before the mirror, delighted."Thank you, Mother!"Grandmother had left two matching ornaments.One belonged to my sister, and the other should have belonged to me.I lifted my head, waiting hopefully for Mother's next words.But even when dinner was served, she never mentioned the second ornament.In the end, Lydia was the one who asked."Mother, what about Rosalind's ornament?"Mother seemed to remember it only then and waved carelessly."I intend to give the other one to you as well."As for your sister, I can add something else to her dowry when the time comes."Lydia hesitated as though she wanted to obje

The voice crashed through the family chapel like thunder and echoed among the memorial plaques.Everyone turned in shock.The chapel doors stood open, several figures framed by the light behind them.The man at their head wore a black military coat embroidered with the royal crest and a jeweled sword belt.His face was cold and severe. It was Crown Prince Julian Blackwood.Behind him, a royal secretary held a gold-edged decree, his eyes lowered over the hint of a knowing smile.The leather strap fell from Mother's hand with a sharp clatter.She collapsed onto the kneeling cushion."Y-Your Royal Highness?"Julian ignored everyone else and walked directly to me.When he saw my blood-soaked palm, his brow tightened almost imperceptibly.He removed his black cloak and wrapped it around my shoulders without asking.Then he turned, his gaze cutting across every member of the Hemsworth family."I came to Hemsworth Hall to deliver a royal decree. I did not expect to find such a di

"I am going to the palace."Lydia rose abruptly. "I want to see what game she's playing!"Edmund frowned. "Have you lost your mind? You can't simply walk into Rosebridge Palace whenever you please.""I'm her twin sister. She's only just married, so visiting her is perfectly proper."Lydia clenched her teeth. "I want to see how long her shallow tricks can sustain her."On the day Lydia arrived, I was meeting with several newly appointed women scholars at the Athenaeum.These women came from modest families or overlooked branches of noble houses. None possessed great influence, but every one of them was exceptionally learned.When I entered, they rose and bowed."Your Royal Highness, Miss Lydia Hemsworth is waiting outside. She says she's brought you a restorative broth."Beatrice Ward, one of the new officials, reported this with open disdain.I continued reviewing the first draft of Lives of Alderwyn's Great Women. "Let her enter."Lydia swept in wearing layers of rose-color

Another five years passed.Women's academies had taken root throughout Alderwyn.Women now held visible positions in the royal civil service.Beatrice Ward had become a senior inspector of the Crown.Her uncompromising integrity made corrupt officials fear her name.During that year's autumn court banquet,I sat on the Queen's dais and watched musicians and dancers perform below.Julian sat beside me and poured a glass of wine."You've worked tirelessly, my queen. For ten years, you've opened doors for the women of this kingdom and carried half the burden of government beside me."I raised my glass and touched it lightly to his."I claim no achievement alone. None of this would exist without Your Majesty's support."A disturbance suddenly rose beyond the great hall.Royal guards entered with several prisoners. The man at their head was Gideon Hemsworth.His clothes were torn and his face hollow. Nothing remained of the polished nobleman he had once pretended to be.Julian