Lena rose and pulled on a robe. “Take me to him.”
Outside the castle gates, Ethan stood at the foot of the stone steps in a linen shirt. The Earl Ethan, always impeccably dressed, now looked disheveled–his hair in disarray, a streak of dried blood still visible at his temple.
When he saw her emerge, his expression shifted, and he strode forward quickly.
“I beg you for the flower,” he said.
Lena looked at him calmly. “I only have one datura flower. If I give it to her, what am I supposed to do afterward?”
“In the future, I’ll protect you with my life.”
“Like you protected me during the royal hunt?” Lena gave a faint laugh.
Ethan’s face went pale. “That was an accident… Flora got separated. I couldn’t just leave her alone…”
“Datura is rare and precious. I won’t give it away for nothing,” Lena interrupted. “Three conditions. Agree to them, and it’s
yours.”
“Name them, Princess.”
“First, you’ll kneel here all night.”
“Second, on the day of my wedding, you must attend and hear the King’s decree. No excuses.”
“And third…” Lena paused. “I haven’t decided yet. Fulfill the first two, and we’ll talk.”
With that, she turned and walked away.
Ethan was proud by nature. He had never bowed to anyone. Kneeling here in front of the staff all night would shatter that
pride completely.
Lena was certain he’d rather find another way than kneel.
But then a sudden sound came from behind.
Ethan had dropped to his knees, straight–backed and unyielding.
Lena froze, her heart jolting.
He really loved Flora that much?
If one day Ethan realized he had mistaken who truly moved his heart… how ridiculous that would be.
That night, snow fell heavily. Ethan did kneel the entire night.
By dawn, Lena pushed open her window and saw him still there in the snow, shoulders dusted white, his face pale as
paper.
She tossed the datura flower down. Ethan caught it, his voice hoarse. “Thank you, Princess.”
“The wedding day…” he hesitated, then said in a low voice, “I’ll be there. To marry you.”
Lena was momentarily stunned, then it hit her.
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Ethan actually thought she wanted him there to marry her?
How laughable.
She only wanted him to watch as she married someone else.
After Ethan left, Alice came to inform her that Flora had survived. Ethan had watched over her day and night without
leaving her side.
Lena felt… nothing at all.
On the eve of the wedding, Lena stood before the mirror trying on her gown when a faint sound came from the window.
“Who’s there?”
A figure in black climbed through the window–Linden, holding a small paper parcel in one hand, his smile as roguish as
ever.
“A wedding gift,” he said.
“The wedding’s tomorrow. Why now?” she asked.
“I might not be there,” Linden shrugged. “I’m thinking of going on a trip.”
“How dare you!” Lena glared at him.
Linden suddenly stepped closer. A flicker of something unreadable passed through his eyes. “Lena, do you really want me
and by and watch you marry someone else?”
ught off guard and just opened her mouth to speak when Linden took a step back and smirked again.
ot afraid of me turning the ceremony into utter chaos, I’ll come.”
that, he vaulted out the window and disappeared into the night.
Lena opened the parcel and drew in a sharp breath.
It was a bag of shelled pine nuts.
She had loved them since childhood, but because Ethan disliked their scent, she had stopped eating them altogether.
So Linden… knew?
He liked pine nuts too?
On the wedding day, the royal procession stretched for miles. Rose petals blanketed the avenue leading to the grand
cathedral.
Beneath the city walls, crowds packed shoulder to shoulder, murmuring excitedly.
“The princess’s fiancé must be the Earl Sterling, no doubt about it!”
“Of course! Everyone knows she’s been in love with him for years. Who else could it be?”
The King ascended the city tower with Lena at his side, receiving the reverence of the people.
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Ethan, Linden, Lucian, and Alexander stood in order below.
Atop the tower, the King smiled and began to unroll the decree.
But Lena stepped forward. “Father, let me announce it myself.”
She took the scroll from him and swept her gaze across the crowd.
Lucian and Alexander looked composed, clearly aware they were only stand–ins.
Flora glared at Lena with tear–filled eyes, her face twisted with hatred.
Ethan stood with his head bowed. He appeared calm, but his fingertips had turned ghostly white.
And Linden…
He leaned against a pillar with his arms crossed, that usual careless grin on his lips–yet in his eyes, there was something
Lena couldn’t read.
She took a deep breath and unrolled the royal edict.
“In the name of God, by order of the King: By the power vested in the Crown, I hereby decree that a marriage contract shall be established between the Princess and the Earl Linden, effective immediately.”
The entire square fell into stunned silence.
Ethan snapped his head up, staring at Lena in disbelief.
Linden’s grin froze. His fan dropped from his hand with a loud clack.
Lena looked at his dumbstruck face and couldn’t help but laugh.
“Linden, receive your decree.”
Chapter 7
