Chapter 2

Chapter 2

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I struggled to keep my tears and when we reached the quiet gardens, I pulled my hand away from him. He just looked at me before he took a cigarette and lit one before puffing a cloud of smoke.

My knees buckled and all the courage I had earlier dissipated into smoke. I sat on the ground, trying to absorb what just happened. When have they been doing this behind my back?

I looked at him as he faced me, his eyes void of any emotion other than sheer boredom.

“Why did you do that?” I asked, hastily wiping the tears in my eyes.

He puffed another cloud of smoke before he said, “You’re welcome.”

I sobbed. “This is a mistake. They…They can’t possibly be real! I need to go back. There has to be some kind of explanation.” My eyes widened and I forced out a smile as I looked around the quiet gardens, searching for any signs of a surprise. The air carried a faint scent of anticipation, and my gaze landed on subtle decorations that hinted at a celebration.

“Yvette loves surprises,” I mumbled, trying to convince myself. “Maybe…Maybe this is just one of those things. she does. She loves pranks like this.”

The idea seemed plausible but deep down, a nagging voice kept telling me to stop fooling myself. That what I saw earlier was real and that it wasn’t some kind of mistake.

Philip and Yvette are about to marry.

Then what about me?

Everything just happened too fast that I could not process it even until now. How long have they been seeing each other behind my back? Was it whenever we visited the royal palace? Have they been planning to do this since then? Or was it when Philip visited our manor for the first time? Did they meet secretly and plan for all of this to happen? How many secret meetings have I overlooked? The weight of betrayal settled heavily on my shoulders, and my mind raced with unanswered questions.

“Hey, lady.” Sir Andreas suddenly crouched down in front of me making me choke back my sob. In the dark, his piercing blue eyes seemed to glow that it took me by surprise,

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“Don’t fool yourself. Do you want me to tell you again what happened? Fine. Philip has thrown you away because you’re no use to him. Like a piece of garbage that already served its purpose. You’re not a pure–blooded wolf and it would tarnish his reputation being the future Alpha King. With your father’s death, it’s easy for your stepmother and stepsister to claim your place as your father’s heir. You can go back there but you’d look pathetic or you can leave with your dignity intact. Choose.”

Time seemed to stretch as Sir Andreas‘ words hung in the air. The reality of Philip’s betrayal hit me in waves, each syllable a crushing blow. My mind struggled to process the revelation, and I sank deeper into the cold reality unfolding before me.

“B–But…he loved me. I saw it. I saw it when he-”

“You saw it earlier when he looked at your stepsister too. Men cannot be trusted. Now, get up,” he ordered.

It must be because he’s a warrior that his voice contained so much authority that I found myself following his orders. This man is used to ordering soldiers–commanding them. With his reputation as the most ruthless. warrior this Kingdom could ever have, I could not believe I was face–to–face with him.

He threw the butt of his cigarette away and stepped on it then his eyes went to my dress now dirty with me sitting on the ground earlier.

His eyes swept over my now–soiled dress. He did not even bother to hide the disdain on his face as he mumbled, “That dress just got even more hideous.”

I stared at him. His indifference regarding the situation is frustrating..

“You knew about this, didn’t you? You knew this would happen. Were you the one who told them to do this?”

He scoffed and rolled his neck before facing me again. “Why would you think I did this?”

“Because… you want to marry me.”

He stared at me for a beat longer before he tipped his head back and laughed. A real laugh. For someone who looked so intimidating, no one would believe he could actually laugh.

“Listen, woman. I have no part to play in what happened tonight. I was just a victim like you. In case you haven’t heard from those rumors going around, I am not a pureblooded wolf as well. They paired us up like some kind of a sick joke. It’s time you see Philip is not the man you thought him to be.”

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Chapter 2

He took something from his pocket and I realized it was a pocketwatch.

“I believe it’s time for me to go. If you want to go back there, you’re free to do so.”

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He turned his back and started to walk away. His cold presence seemed to embrace me and when he walked away, I yearned for it more. Or maybe I was just too sad that even this man offered a sense of comfort.

I did not want to be alone tonight.

Before I could even stop myself, I found myself calling for him.

“Wait!”

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I can’t possibly go back there. Not when I almost could not hold back my tears earlier. This man is right. I’d look pathetic if I go back.

I remembered the scene earlier once again–Philip and Yvette on the platform, holding hands as they beamed at the guests. Tears welled my eyes..

I grabbed my dress and ran to where he was. “Could you…take me home?”

He studied my face and was silent for a moment. But then he sighed and said, “What kind of fiance would I be if I don’t take you home?”

Hastily wiping the tears from my eyes, I followed him to his carriage.

I saw a man standing there. My guess was he’s the coachman but the way he regarded Sir Andreas tells me he is not just a coachman. They exchanged glances before the man’s gaze went from Sir Andreas to me. He then flashed a smile and bowed gracefully to his waist.

“It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Lady Henrietta.” He rose and smirked before he opened the carriage door.

But I was too occupied with the events earlier that I could not form a response. He gave Sir Andreas a worried glance and the latter offered his hand for me to take.

The whole ride was quiet. I was thankful Sir Andreas did not initiate a conversation until we reached the manor. It gave me time to process what happened and think about what to f

I bowed as I got off, much to his surprise. “Please,” I started. “Don’t let this happen. I can’t-“I swallowed my sob

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before I raised my head and looked at him. “I can’t marry someone I don’t love.”

His face was inscrutable. But then he said, “You’re just going to let them do that?”

I bit my lip. “I–I will talk to Philip tomorrow.”

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He looked like he was not convinced by what I said but to my surprise, nodded. “Fine. I’ll come tomorrow to announce that I am canceling our engagement. Good night, Lady Henrietta.”

The carriage rattled away into the night, leaving me standing alone. As they faded into the darkness, I took al shaky breath, grappling with the harsh reality.

I knew then that the night held no promise of solace.

In the quiet corners of my chamber, the events replayed in my mind like a haunting melody, each note carving a wound in my heart. I cried myself to sleep and when morning came, I found myself wishing it was just a bad

dream.

But the persistent knocking on my door tells me that everything was real. I was still wearing the dress and when I looked into the mirror, Sir Andreas was right..

The dress was hideous.

I should have known. Yvette took it to herself to help Philip choose a present for me. They both chose this dress.

I opened the door and saw Niana. She looked at my eyes and I knew she knew I was crying. The look of hesitation filled her eyes as she eyed my dress.

“Lady Henrietta-”

“I’m fine, Niana.”

She hesitated for a moment but then she said, “You need to get dressed. The Crown Prince-”

“That won’t be necessary,” said a voice at the end of the hall. My mouth went dry when I saw Mother Myrna walking in our direction. I remembered how she beamed as her daughter stepped onto that platform.

When she was near enough, her eyes surveyed me from head to toe.

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Chapter 2

“Mother-”

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“She does not need to get dressed. She’s not going to be doing any acts to try to impress the Crown Prince from now on. And also, call me Lady Myrna. I am the Lady of this house, after all. The Crown Prince is arriving in a few minutes. Help the maids with the preparations.”

“P–Pardon?”

She smiled and grabbed my chin. “You know I don’t like to repeat myself, girl. Go and help the maids.”

I was too stunned to move and Niana was surprised as well.

They were nice to me. I remember being thankful to my father for marrying Mother Myrna. She is not my real mother but she treated me like her own. Yvette was the same. Why did they change? Was being nice to me just for a show? Has this been their goal all along? To marry an influential family and have their riches for themselves? They waited for my father to die before they made their move. My hands clenched.

“Lady Henrietta…”

I looked at Niana. I know tears brimmed my eyes but I wiped it quickly.

“Let’s go, Niana,” I said and Niana quietly followed me behind

The moment we reached the dining, I could see the maids setting the table. The area was decorated with intricate decorations. This was supposed to be for me if Philip announced me as his bride, but instead, I was thrown like garbage.

It was all for a show. He wanted the power. Not me.

The thought of it made me sick.

The walk to the dining was dreadful. Maids stole glances in my direction as I helped them but none of them said.

anything.

By the time they announced the arrival of the Crown Prince, I bolted to the foyer. But just when I was about to go out and greet Philip, Yvette was already there, curtsying to the Crown Prince. When Yvette rose, she extended her hand and Philip kissed it.

I stood frozen by the door, watching the whole scene. The sight of them made me clench my fists.

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I know I should get out of there before they could see me but it was as if my feet were glued to the floor. It was too late for me to hide. They walked into the foyer, Yvette clinging her arms to Philip’s.

They both met my gaze and I hated how miserable I looked. Philip looked at me as though he did not tell me he loved me just a few days ago. Yvette smiled at me as though she did not just take my place.

“Please bring us some tea, Henny,” Yvette said with that sweet voice of hers. I looked at Philip, waiting for him to say something, to tell everyone that what happened last night was a mistake.

But Yvette pulled him into the sitting room and he said, “Lovely to see you, Henrietta.”

I clenched my fists and I felt Niana’s hand on my shoulder.

“Lady Henrietta, I think it is best that you go to your chambers-”

“No.” I turned and faced Niana. Worry was etched on her face.

“I will prepare the tea.”

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