1 The Royal Hunt was in full cry, a thunder of hooves on damp earth and the whistle of arrows in the crisp spring air. Crown Prince Alaric loosed an arrow. He never intended for it to find a human target, but it did. It struck a destitute young woman, a distant, orphaned cousin. Her name was Seraphina, the niece of his own mother—a woman whose name was never spoken in polite company. No one could have predicted that a single arrow would spark an instant, fiery infatuation in the Prince. On the spot, he declared his intention to make her his bride. There was, however, the small matter of his existing betrothal. His fiancée was me, Eleonora, the sole heiress of the great House de Courtenay. Soon after, Prince Alaric arrived at Courtenay Manor. His expression was resolute, his voice ringing with a conviction that left no room for debate. “I wounded my cousin. I bound her wounds myself. We touched. Her honor is compromised. Now, she has no other path but to marry me.” He looked at me then, a flicker of something like pity in his eyes. “You are the Queen’s own niece. The finest men of the kingdom would line up for your hand. Why must you fight a poor, unfortunate girl for one man?” Fight? A daughter of House de Courtenay does not fight over men. The absurdity of his words was laughable. Was he dreaming? The news that he had broken our betrothal had barely begun to circulate when a Royal Decree arrived from the palace. The decree stated that while I would retain the honorific title of a princess, the official position of Crown Princess—the future Queen—was now destined for another. … Prince Alaric stood in the grand hall of my family’s estate, his posture impeccable, his bearing noble. But his gaze never left the delicate figure of Seraphina, who clung to his side. “Seraphina is fragile,” he announced to my father, the Duke. “To suffer such a calamity upon her first visit to the capital… I am the one who harmed her. If I do not marry her, how can she possibly face the world?” He then turned his attention to me. “Lady Eleonora, you must understand. For a young woman, her reputation is everything. Seraphina now has no choice but to become my wife. If you have even a shred of compassion, you will agree to dissolve our engagement.” So this was his plan. He had been captivated by her since that day at the hunt and had spent two months nursing his secret obsession, only to choose my own birthday, in front of all my guests, to deliver this public humiliation. My father’s entire body trembled with rage, the porcelain teacup in his hand rattling in its saucer. Decorum be damned. “Your Highness,” he bit out, “do you use such a flimsy excuse to break this vow, without a single thought for my daughter’s future? For her reputation?” “This union was one you personally begged the King to approve, a matter known to the entire realm. And now you appear at my door to renounce it, casting the honor of House de Courtenay into the mud?” Seraphina, her face a mask of timid distress, tugged gently at Alaric’s sleeve. “My prince, please, do not argue with the Duke on my account. I am not afraid of whispers and rumors. If it comes to it, I would rather die than cause you this trouble.” Alaric wrapped a protective arm around her, his voice softening to a tender murmur. “Fear not. I will never let you face them alone.” He then looked up at me, his expression arrogant, his eyes laced with disdain. “Lady Eleonora, you come from a great house. Surely you wouldn’t deign to compete with Seraphina for a man’s affection. You have a legion of worthy suitors to choose from. To cling to this engagement now would make you seem… desperate. A social climber.” He leaned in, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Or perhaps you are just like every other woman in the capital, greedy for the title of Queen?” He straightened, his voice ringing out once more. “Since our betrothal, you have refused my invitations to ride, to attend poetry readings. You’ve been so cold and distant. It’s clear you were never happy with this match. My breaking it simply saves us both the trouble.” House de Courtenay, a name respected for centuries, had never endured such an insult. I was speechless with fury. With trembling hands, I retrieved the ornate scroll that served as our betrothal writ. “Your Highness, here is the contract. From this day forward, our houses are unburdened by this vow. You are free to marry, and I am free to wed, and we shall be as strangers.” My gaze shifted to Seraphina. “And you, Lady Seraphina, need not continue this performance in my home. You have found your prince. You will one day ascend to the most revered position a woman can hold. Should you not be overjoyed?” Seraphina swayed, her face turning deathly pale. “Lady Eleonora, I know my station is low. I would never dare to compare myself to you, and I never intended to steal your betrothed. Why must you mock me so?” Alaric let out a scornful laugh. “You relinquish your claim so readily, Lady Eleonora. Could it be you already have another in your heart? Perhaps my actions have done you a favor?” He scanned the assembled guests, a cruel smile playing on his lips. “Since today is your birthday, why not choose a new husband from this fine company? I shall even provide a handsome gift to add to your dowry.” With that, he wrapped his arm around Seraphina’s waist and led her away, leaving a stunned silence and a flurry of whispers in his wake. “Has the Prince gone mad? To cast aside a de Courtenay for some unknown cousin?” “But Lady Eleonora is the Queen’s niece! She is his cousin as well!” “You haven’t heard? He shot this Seraphina girl during the hunt and was instantly smitten. Insists he must marry her.” “I’ve never even heard of this woman. The security at the Royal Hunt is impenetrable. How did she even get in? There’s more to this than meets the eye.” “I heard she’s from his birth mother’s side of the family…” “Hush! Don’t speak of that. The Prince’s origins are a forbidden topic. His mother was nothing but a common maid.” My birthday celebration was ruined, ending in a chaotic, humiliating mess. And overnight, the news that Crown Prince Alaric had jilted the heiress of House de Courtenay for an orphaned nobody spread through the capital like wildfire. 2 The very next day, I was summoned to the palace by the Queen. She is my father’s sister, my own aunt, and she has always cherished me. My aunt has reigned as Queen for many years but has remained childless, a quiet sorrow that has shadowed her entire rule. Alaric’s birth mother was a mere scullery maid the King had a fleeting encounter with at a country palace. Her station was so low that even after bearing a royal child, she was never granted a title. She died of illness not long after Alaric was born. Because of his mother’s lowly status, Alaric was scorned and abused by everyone in his youth, even the palace servants. He nearly didn’t survive his childhood. It was my aunt, the Queen, beloved by the King and holding unwavering power at court, who took pity on the wretched boy. She brought him into her own wing of the palace, raised him as her own, and educated him with the greatest care. And so, despite being the King’s fourth son, his adoption by the Queen made him the logical, undisputed heir to the throne. She took my hands in hers, her touch warm and comforting. “My dear child, I know the injustice you have suffered. That boy, Alaric, he does not know how to value what he has. I poured my heart into teaching him for years, promised him the most beloved daughter of our house, and for what? For him to be swayed by a pretty face, to cast you aside for a cousin he’s never even met!” Her voice was laced with disappointment. “How can a man who acts on such whims ever be a great ruler? All my years of teaching have been wasted.” A bitter sigh escaped her. “The blood of House de Courtenay does not run in his veins. A son that is not your own, it seems, can never truly be yours.” I leaned against her, resting my head on her lap. “Aunt, perhaps it is not such a bad thing that the Prince has revealed his true nature before our marriage. It is far better than for me to suffer such betrayals after I am bound to him.” I forced a smile. “A daughter of de Courtenay will not want for suitors.” The Queen’s expression softened, and she stroked my cheek. “My Eleonora, you are the finest young woman in the realm. Rest assured, the position of Crown Princess is yours. No one else can take it.” The King and Queen were childhood friends, their bond deep and enduring. Even without an heir of her own, she remained the woman he cherished most. Because she had raised Alaric, the King’s affection extended to him, doting on the boy as if he were his own true-born heir. Despite his mother’s origins, the King bestowed upon him the ultimate honor: the title of Crown Prince. The King had heard of the broken betrothal and was now in a towering rage. “That fool!” he bellowed. “The greatest houses in the realm would kill for a match with a de Courtenay, and he casts aside the family’s heiress for some nobody? The Queen arranged this marriage to give you the backing of a powerful house, to support your weak maternal line, and you throw away your greatest asset with your own two hands! You are as dim-witted as a pig!” He stormed out, his fury echoing in the hall. Even after the King’s tirade, Alaric remained defiant. He had the gall to bring Seraphina to the Queen’s chambers to pay his respects. He knelt before my aunt. “Your Majesty, you have always loved me as a son. All I ask is to marry a woman I truly love. I am the Crown Prince. Surely I have the right to choose the woman I desire?” The Queen looked down at him, her disappointment a cold, heavy presence in the room. “You and Eleonora grew up together. I recall you kneeling before me, begging for this betrothal, proclaiming your love for her, promising a life of mutual support. One life, one love. And now, you claim she is not the woman you desire?” Her voice was sharp. “It seems this Seraphina has blinded you to all reason.” Alaric lifted his chin, his hand tightening around Seraphina’s. “Your Majesty, Eleonora is just like all the other dull noblewomen—bound by convention, lifeless, utterly devoid of spirit. But Seraphina… Seraphina is different! She loves to laugh and play, she can dance in ways the court has never seen, she hums folk songs from the countryside. She is enchanting, vibrant! Your Majesty, if you only got to know her, I know you would love her too!” 3 From behind the curtain where I was hidden, I let out a silent, scornful laugh. Humming folk songs and dancing scandalous dances? You could find women like that in any tavern in the city. The Queen’s gaze was like ice. “Alaric, do you have any idea what you will lose without the support of House de Courtenay?” The Prince actually smiled. “I know you speak of the backing of the great houses of the south. But, Your Majesty, I am the Crown Prince. The future King. The entire realm will be my subjects. What have I to fear?” He brightened, a foolish idea taking root. “I know you are fond of Eleonora. Why not let her be my second consort? When I ascend the throne, I can make her a duchess. Surely House de Courtenay would not dare object to such an honor?” My fists clenched behind the screen. The insolent fool. The Queen’s voice was chillingly calm. “A daughter of House de Courtenay will never be a secondary wife. Alaric, you are my adopted son, but you are not the King’s only son. Do you truly believe you can hold your position by your own strength alone?” “Of course,” he replied, his voice ringing with unshakeable confidence. “I am the future King, Your Majesty.” Seraphina spoke then, her voice a delicate whisper. “Your Majesty, I know my station is low. If Lady Eleonora joins the Prince’s household, I promise not to compete with her for his affections. I will treat her as a sister, and we shall serve the Prince together.” The Queen let out a soft, humorless chuckle. “Hmph. Alaric, you must be certain. Once you choose Seraphina, there is no turning back.” His reply was firm. “Yes. I will have no regrets.”
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