Devoted and Foolishly Paid Love

I lay on the ground, crimson blood dripping from the corner of my mouth.

The murmurs of the crowd buzzed in my ears, and I was transported back to that humiliating night, the evening of my coming-of-age ceremony.

My mother had been the most esteemed daughter of the James family, a woman of high status and noble birth. Yet, she defied her family’s wishes to marry my father, who at the time had nothing to his name.

It wasn’t until she was pregnant that she discovered my father already had a mistress – and even a daughter.

On the day I reached womanhood, my mother was falsely accused of adultery by my half-sister’s mother, slandered in front of all the guests. Overcome with grief and despair, she threw herself into the lake, ending her life.

My grandfather, stricken with anger and heartbreak, soon followed, coughing up blood before he passed.

In an instant, I went from being the girl everyone envied to the one they scorned as disgraceful.

Everyone mocked me, everyone except for one person who stepped forward to defend me.

It took just one look, and I never forgot him.

I sought him out, asking around, only to discover he was the young master of the Lander family.

I went to the gates of their estate, where a servant – his pockets lined with the silver I’d given him – smirked and assured me that there was only one young master in their house, and I had found him.

I knew I had little power or influence, so I used my dowry to pressure my father into arranging a marriage with the Landers, hoping to use this connection to seek my revenge.

Once the engagement was set, Julius and I began exchanging letters, and in those dark days, it became one of my few sources of joy.

The sound of the herald outside rang loud and clear, “An imperial decree–”

Everyone rushed past me to greet the announcement, and I slowly stood, dusting off my gown.

There, at the front, a space had been reserved for me.

After all, Julius had mentioned that he would be asking the king to grant a noble title for his betrothed.

Though Julius and I hadn’t married yet, we had been through thick and thin together, and the tale of our loyalty had spread across the kingdom, a story of devotion and love.

I stood still as the herald’s clear voice rang out, “By order of His Majesty, Lady Charlotte Gilbert is to be wed to Julius Lander, the Chancellor. Upon their marriage, she shall be granted the noble title of Marchioness. Let all bear witness and give their acknowledgment.”

Expressions shifted all around us.

In a flash, people swarmed around Charlotte, congratulating her, making the emptiness around me all the more glaring.

Charlotte cast a taunting glance in my direction, even taking my hand to feign comfort.

I pressed my lips together, then heard Julius’s cold, detached voice, “Since things have turned out this way, you may join my household as my mistress.”

I froze, unable to believe he was speaking to me.

I caught the flicker of panic in Charlotte’s eyes and gave a soft laugh. “I am the lady of the House of James. I was born with pride and honor and will never be anyone’s mistress.”

My voice was calm, yet Julius’s eyes widened in shock, his pupils contracting.

He grabbed my throat, his voice cracking with rage, “So, you regret staying by my side all these years?”

My breathing grew labored, but my gaze remained steady. “No, I do not.”

I had never regretted it.

Not because of you, Julius, but because the plans I’d laid over so many years were finally coming to fruition.

Edmund, my beloved, soon... I will have avenged you.