Chapter 2
Orion took the king’s silence as approval and immediately ran to Serena, who was weeping with joy.
“Serena, did you hear? Father didn’t stop me!”
“In seven days, we’ll finally be together–forever!”
Tears welled in Serena’s eyes as she nodded again and again. But the moment she noticed me passing by, her joy vanished. She lowered her gaze and curtsied timidly.
Her delicate fingers twisted the hem of her handkerchief until it was a crumpled mess.
Before I could say anything, Orion helped her up protectively.
“Claire, if you’re upset, take it out on me. Don’t make Serena suffer for it!”
“She’s frail. Once we’re married, there will be no need for rank or ceremony between you two.”
I blinked in confusion.
I hadn’t done a thing. When did I ever give her a hard time?
Besides–wasn’t he misunderstanding something?
The king had only said there would be a wedding in seven days. He never said I would be the one marrying him.
As Orion defended her in front of everyone, Serena gently tugged his sleeve, her voice soft.
“Your Highness, as long as I can be with you, I’m willing to yield to Clarie. Please don’t be angry with her because of me…”
“You’ll be king in the future. You must consider the feelings of Asteria’s people.”
Her obedient and thoughtful act made Orion want to pull her into his arms.
“Foolish girl,” he said fondly. “I already have the upper hand. Once I’m king, all kingdoms will bow to me. Why would I care about the opinion of one woman?”
He shot me a warning glare.
“Claire, you’d best behave. If you’re obedient, I might still give you a chance–to have a child you can rely on in your later years. Otherwise…”
The threat in his voice was unmistakable.
In my previous life, Serena had once fallen into the palace lake. Though the servants saved her, she became chronically ill from the cold. Within a few years, she withered away and died.
I had nothing to do with it. Yet Orion blamed it all on me.
“The lake was less than ten meters from your residence. If you hadn’t pretended not to hear her cries, she would’ve been rescued in time! It was the cold that killed her, and you let it happen!”
He held me responsible for Serena’s death, tortured me to death, and even took out his hatred on Asteria—leaving all So0,000 of my people dead.
And this man, so blind to right and wrong, actually thought himself worthy of the Mana?
What a joke.
I buried the fury in my eyes and cut him off.
“Prince Orion, your love for Miss Waverly is truly touching. Then allow me to offer you my early congratulations—may you be blessed with a lifetime of happiness!”
Orion looked startled. He gave me a once–over, clearly trying to catch some sign that I was faking.
But before he could say a word, I had already turned away without hesitation, walking toward the man who had been patiently waiting by the side.
“Your Grace…I will be waiting for you seven days later.”
“Will you keep your promise?”
The man didn’t answer only gave a solemn nod before disappearing through the palace gates with the other nobles.
He never spoke a word, but just the sight of his broad, retreating figure was enough to steady my heart.
Craider 2
In my past life, as Orion left me nailed inside that coffin to rot, I heard the distant clash of steel through the suffocating dark.
It was Rowan.
He had ridden straight from the border, screaming my name like a man possessed, tearing at the wood with bare hands–until Orion’s archers turned him into a pincushion.
His blood seeped through the cracks, hot on my face. Hotter still on my soul.
That’s when I finally understood the love he’d buried for years.
Orion’s voice slithered up behind me. “Claire, why fuss over Rowan’s absence at our wedding? Since when did you two become… acquainted?”
