Chapter 79
"When I was deposed as Crown Prince, I was meant to marry her. Isabelle felt slighted, she felt that she had been cheated out of the position of being my wife. I felt like I had no choice but to marry her when she was pushed on me. Especially when I had just lost someone dear to me. I told her I would marry her but it would come with conditions. She could be the Queen if she wanted, but nothing else. There would be nothing between us."
My chest tightened. "You lost someone?"
His throat bobbed as he swallowed, his gaze fixed on some invisible point beyond me. "She was my one true love. And when I lost her, I swore I would never replace her. Isabelle was a political match—nothing more."
He was talking about me. My heart skipped a beat, several beats. The way he spoke, the pain in his eyes—it all pointed to me.
"I once heard, you were married before... it was kept under wraps but I heard you were once married to a woman who had pretended to be the Queen," I said softly, watching for his reaction.
Rowan's jaw tightened, but he said nothing.
"Is that who you're talking about?" I pressed. "What happened to her?"
He turned away abruptly, walking to the door. "It's in the past, Arin. Leave it there."
Before I could say anything else, he opened the door and left, his shoulders tense with the weight of unspoken words.
I was still standing there, trying to process the conversation, when a shadow flickered in the corner of my vision. I turned sharply to find Milla standing near the edge of the hallway, her eyes wide and curious.
"Milla," I said, my voice low and commanding. "What are you doing here?"
Her lips curled into a sly smile. "I could ask you the same thing, Lady Arin. It's not every day I see the Alpha King leaving Prince Lucian's chambers."
My blood ran cold, but I kept my composure. "You didn't see anything," I said firmly. "And you won't say anything. Do you understand?"
Milla tilted her head, pretending to think it over. "I could keep it a secret. But... secrets have value, don't they?"
"What do you want, Milla?" I asked sharply.
She grinned, leaning closer. "A favor. Nothing too difficult. Just something I can call on when the time is right. And you must answer me."
I hesitated, knowing I had little choice. "Fine. But if you breathe a word of this to anyone, you'll regret it."
Milla's grin widened. "You shouldn't be telling me that Princess. We all know how valuable information is in the right hands. My lips will be sealed, but not for long. If you're willing to pay the price, they will be sealed forever."
As she disappeared down the corridor, I clenched my fists, frustration and unease twisting in my chest. The walls of this castle were closing in on me, and the stakes were growing higher by the minute.
............
I found Milla near the gardens, plucking a ripe apple from one of the low-hanging branches. She spotted me before I could call her name, her sly smile already in place.
"Princess Arin," she greeted, taking a bite of the apple. "What are you doing here so early?"
"I've been looking everywhere for you..." I said slowly.
Milla raised her eyebrow.
"Oh! What for? Come to beg for my silence again?"
I clenched my hands into fists, trying to keep my voice calm. "I need to know what you want in exchange for your silence. Let's get this over with."
Milla chuckled, tossing the apple core onto the grass. "Oh, Princess Arin. You really are in a hurry, aren't you? The best favors take time. I'll let you know when I need something. For now, consider my silence... a gift."
I frowned. "Why keep me waiting? What game are you playing, Milla?"
She leaned closer, her dark eyes sparkling with mischief. "The kind where you owe me, Princess. And one day, you'll pay. Until then, rest easy. Your secret is safe with me."
Her words sent a chill down my spine, but I didn't let it show. "Fine," I said curtly. "But don't test me, Milla."
She grinned. "Oh, I wouldn't dream of it."
By the time I returned to my chambers, my frustration had reached its peak. I went to the mirror, running my fingers through my hair. The strands near my scalp shimmered with hints of their original color— dark brown and unmistakable. My chest tightened.
The dye was fading faster than I had hoped.
I couldn't afford for anyone to see the truth. Not yet. It was too early, way too early.
I had wrote to Kaelin about it, but she had done nothing, nothing at all.
I wrapped a scarf over my hair and decided to go into town. If anyone asked, I'd simply say I wanted fresh air.
The market was bustling, filled with the usual mix of merchants, travelers, and locals. I kept my head down, weaving through the crowds until I reached a familiar corner shop—a small tea and herb store tucked between two larger stalls. I remembered the stall, back when I was still pretending to be Lady Isabelle, I came here a lot to find herbs for Rowan. To help him walk.
It felt like ages ago, even though it was only a year ago it all happened.
As soon as I stepped inside, the strong scent of dried herbs and spices hit me, pulling me back to memories I'd buried.
A man stepped out from behind the counter, wiping his hands on a cloth. His eyes landed on me, and for a moment, there was no recognition. But then, his gaze dropped to my eyes, and his mouth curved into a slow smile.
"Amber eyes," he said softly.
My heart skipped. "I think you have me mistaken for someone else," I lied.
"How could I forget those eyes? You don't have to lie to me."
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