Chapter 2
The potent Roland lifted his ever. Fleanor sine a bottomless blackness them
Perhaps i carne wish being royalty, but even after being caught red handed his expression detay’s
saturday with abbly, he racked the portrait beneath the pillow is long fingers slowly
thening has belt with ishuriating composure
PR
Within seconds he had returned to his usual cold, ascetic demean like the man moments ago.
Busted and undone had never existed
Elsan let offLa sef mocking laugh. “Stuffing it back in already? Afraid you’ll explode fork
holding at Way me to help
Reland di’t even flinch. Instead, he leaned subtly away from her, widening the space between
them “Do the Lady Viremont need something from me?
Hewana was like this Lasting over Cecily’s portrait like a lovesick fool, but standing beterd her
betere Eleaner nike some bloody monk who’d taken a vow of chastity
ifte nails dog to her palm as the image of Cecily’s bland, milk toast face flashed through her
That girl lacked the grace or beauty to rival her, yet somehow everyone fell for her meek
practiced cham
Moshatter Eleanor possessed a radiant countenance, vast wealth, and a fire that outshone ber
sister’s trail glow, From this moment, she’d care nothing for those too blind to see her worth
“Nextellective drops at the Jewel Hall tomorrow You’re coming with me Her tone was flar
commaning Ser dadi watt for a reply pust turned and walked off
Holand towned I believe I’m off dury the next two days
“Cody’s pong to
she said without turning back
babet, bus telling then his low voice tang out
Silener tol beade
fall
Terscoed my lady કલાક
a altarp palm krabbit though her chest. As exported-mention Certy, and he’d break every Tide be
the book bo the Sheld on end him to save her precious sister and let theen both choć w
be at
the su Fated TiON Action
the cartage
The black leather doublet hugged his broad shoulders and narrow waist perfectly in the morning light, the edges of his face seemned gilded in gold
Normally, this was when she’d lean into him with a fake stumble, or whisper something breathy in his ear just to see his restraint crack
But today, she said nothing. She climbed into the carriage without even glancing at him
Roland blinked, visibly surprised. He glanced her way
reins
but said nothing, silently taking the
They rode toward the jewel Hall in silence Eleanor stared out the window the entire way, not
bothering to find excuses to talk as she usually did. The air was so quiet, she could hear their
? breathing
The Jewel Hall was a famed boutique in Crownspire each time new pieces arrived, nobles swarmed in like bees to nectar Perfume, silk, and whispered gossip filled every corner
Eleanor had barely stepped inside when she spotted Cecily up ahead. She was dressed in a
rose hued pleated gown, her hair pinned into an elegant high twist, her pale neck like a porcelain
swan. She was laughing with a few highborn ladies, pure and delicate as always
Roland’s eyes changed in an instant
Though he stood behind Eleanor, playing the part of loyal guard, she could feel it his mind had
already drifted to Cecily
“Eleanor!” Cecily called out sweetly, hurrying over and wrapping her arm around Eleanor’s like
they were the best of friends “What a delight to find you here! Are you browsing the jewels as
well?
Eleanor yanked her arm free “Don’t touch me.
Cecily’s eyes reddened at once. She turned to Roland, her voice soft and wounded “Roland, I only
wished to mend things with my sister
Roland’s brow twitched, his gaze toward Eleanor now laced with quiet contempt
Cecily seized the moment, tugging lightly on his sleeve “Roland, is it true? They say when I was struck with that dreadful fever, you breed a storm to bring me honey cakes was too ill to recall clearly, and Uve been frail ever sabe daver had the cliance to thank you properly
Roland’s sharp features softened our kindness humbjes me Lady Cecily It was bin a small
but
gesture
Eleario: almost laughed aloud. He’d been gone for five hours that night Soaked through when he
returned
That was “a small gesture”?
“Well then.” Cecily beamed, “you must let me treat you to a meal sometime!”
Roland didn’t refuse this time. “As you wish, my lady.
“Let’s invite Eleanor too!” Cecily turned to Eleanor and blinked in pretend concern. “Oh dear, you
look so rred today… but I’m the one who was ill…
“I don’t recall us being close,” Eleanor cut in coldly. “Watch your mouth, bastard ”
Cecily’s face went pale. Roland’s frown deepened.
Thankfully, the shopkeeper’s voice broke the tension “Esteemed guests, the auction may now begin.”
Eleanor didn’t bother responding. She strode forward, eyes already scanning the displays.
She would be marrying into the Wolveston family soon. Counting on Baldwin for a proper dowry was a joke if she wanted to look the part, she’d have to buy it herself. That was the real reason she
came to the Jewel Hall
The first thing she saw was a sapphire-encrusted gold diadem, priced at a thousand crowns
She didn’t hesitate.
Just as she signaled to purchase it, Cecily spoke up behind her “Two thousand ”
Eleanor turned Cecily smiled sweetly. “I quite like this piece too, Eleanor. You don’t mind letting
mie have it, do you? I mean.. Father does give me a bigger allowance than you
Eleanor snorted. Bigger? Try a hundred times bigger
Since they were children, Baldwin gave Cecily five hundred crowns a month
Eleanor? Five
If not for the fortune her mother left behind, she’d have starved years ago.
Put now?
te, she had a million gold crowns
Whree thousand,” Fleanor said, raising the stakes
Cecily faltered, then clenched her teeth “Three thousand five
“Four
“Four five.”
Round after round, the tension grew. Cecily’s face was losing color
“Eleanor she snapped “how do you get all this money? Don’t tell me you can’t actually pay-
“One thousand crowns?” Eleanor scoffed. “Try ten thousand
Gasps rippled through the room. Cecily’s face turned ashen. Even the shopkeeper hesitated
“My lady… would you like to continue bidding?” he asked politely
Cecily turned away in panic and whispered something to a servant, who darted out the door
Half an hour later, the servant returned-alone.
Her face fell completely Refused.
Of course he did. He’d already handed over the million to her what did he have left to feed his precious darling?
Eleanor’s lips curved ever so slightly
Just then, a guard stormed into the hall and bellowed: “By order of Prince Roland–all of today’s jewels now belong to Lady Cecily!”
