Three Lives Shattered She Chose the Throne Over Love

Then came the second life. I was careful beyond measure, steering clear of the cliff, making it back to Aurelia alive. I said every kind word I could think of, poured out every ounce of devotion I had. But he still raised an army and stormed the palace for Scarlett Vance's sake. The entire Black family was executed because of it. I stared at him through burning eyes and asked, "Why?" Why sacrifice so many lives for one Scarlett Vance? He reached up and wiped the tears from the corner of my eye. "Because she's my sister." "I would betray the whole world to see her happy. What's the extermination of three clans compared to that?" In that moment, I finally understood. Childhood sweethearts, steadfast husband and wife, all of it was a lie. The only person Lester Vance had ever cared about was Scarlett. …… I pulled myself out of the memories and unclenched my fists, my palms aching where my nails had dug in. "Father," I said quietly, "I want to enter the palace." He blinked in surprise. "You mean you want to join the Crown Prince's bride selection?" I nodded. His lips moved soundlessly for a moment. "Norma, even if you don't marry Lester, there are plenty of fine young men in Aurelia worth considering. Marriage is too important a matter to decide out of spite." I cut him off. "Besides the Crown Prince, who in this empire outranks Lester Vance?" "The Blacks aren't what they used to be. You've already been generous enough to let me break the engagement with House Vance on a whim." "But I refuse to let our family keep declining." "Besides, a daughter of the nobility will have to enter the palace sooner or later. If not me, it will be Gemma." Father let out a long sigh. The Crown Prince was cold by nature. Nothing like Lester, who knew how to charm. In my previous life, only Scarlett had set her sights on the Eastern Palace. She had been singularly obsessed with becoming Crown Princess. The Emperor was wary of the Crown Prince forming alliances with powerful officials. Lester had to surrender his military command before Scarlett could be admitted to the Eastern Palace. To prove his loyalty and pave the way for her, Lester had also handed over every last coin of the general's household, including my dowry. The day we left Aurelia, Scarlett came to see us off in tears. She leaned close to my ear and whispered, "Rest easy in the countryside, sister-in-law. I'll put your dowry to good use." My heart sank like a stone. So my dowry had never been surrendered to the throne. It had gone straight to Scarlett. That was the first time I discovered Lester had lied to me. …… Father sent for the finest portrait painter in Aurelia to capture my likeness. I had barely settled into my pose when Lester came storming through the gates. He spotted me, faltered mid-stride, and took a moment to straighten his robes before closing the distance. His expression was ice. "You don't think you owe me an explanation for this broken engagement?" I lifted my gaze to meet his. "I wanted it broken, so I broke it. What is there to explain?" "Or does the great General Vance intend to force a marriage?" In the past, I had been nothing but gentle and considerate in front of him. Never willful. Never a harsh word. Lester's brow creased. "What's gotten into you?" "Are you upset that I didn't write these past few months?" "I figured I'd be marching home soon enough. There was no need to waste riders on letters." I let out a mocking laugh. "Funny. I hear Miss Vance received one every single day, delivered by express courier." "What happened to not wasting riders, General?" Lester looked at me with open disappointment. "Scarlett is my sister. You're really going to make an issue out of a few family letters?" "Norma, we haven't seen each other in three years. When did you become so jealous?" His sister. The same excuse. The same lie, told to me and to himself. I wiped the smile from my face. "What I've become is none of General Vance's concern." "The betrothal contract has been returned. We're both free. Don't let me keep you." "Norma Black!" Lester seized my wrist. "There's a limit to throwing tantrums."

"Our engagement was settled before we were even born. You can't just tear it up!"

He thought I was throwing a tantrum.

He had no idea that reaching this moment had cost me two lifetimes.