Chapter 2
Alistair looked at me, his mouth opened but no words came out.
1.0
I knew exactly what he was thinking. He was afraid Seraphina would be blamed for what happened. Afraid I’d return to Luminara bitter and cause trouble for her.
That’s the only reason he lowered himself to come here.]
But he didn’t have to. Not anymore.
I wasn’t clinging to the past. I didn’t care anymore.[]
“I’m grateful to the Duke and Duchess for their years of kindness,” I said calmly.]
“I assure Your Grace, I would never do anything to harm the future Princess.“]
I kept my tone polite, distant
Alistair turned away sharply and walked off without saying another word.]]
The forest, buried under heavy snow, stretched endlessly ahead.[]
Even in winter, camp slaves only had thin linen uniforms.
By the time I trudged through the snow, I couldn’t feel my feet.[]
ne.0
Then I heard someone calling my name.
“Evelyn!”
I thought I was imagining things.
No one in camp called me that anymore.[]
I was just “that disgraced maid from the Heartford family.“[]
I kept walking until suddenly a warm embrace wrapped around me from behind, pulling me into a familiar chest.
“If Prince Alistair came to get you, why are you out here alone?“]
I turned—and there he was.]
Lord Edmund Heartford.]
My uncle.
The only one who ever truly doted on me.]
Lord Richard never had a son. The title had passed to Edmund.[]
When I was younger, I used to call him “brother” because we were close in age.
His ears would turn red, but he always corrected me with a smile.[]
“You should call me Uncle, Evelyn.“]
I must’ve been dying.
Nanny used to say, when you’re close to death, you see the one you miss the most.]
I didn’t even get the chance to whisper “Uncle” before I blacked out in his arms.
When I woke up, I was lying inside the Heartford family’s private carriage.[]
The very same one I’d stained years ago when I first came of age.
For a brief moment, I let myself melt into that familiar warmth.]
Lord Edmund handed me a warm stone flask and said gently, “You’ve been through hell.“[]
The Queen’s investigation cleared your name. You’re innocent.“]
I couldn’t stop the tears.]]
I almost cried out, “Uncle!” like I used to
They Chose Blood Over Love Now They Cry at My GRAVE
Chapter 2
But then I noticed…. we weren’t headed home.[]
Lord Edmund was toying with a string of carved sandalwood beads.[]
Not the ones I gave him.]
These had a single word etched into them-“Frost.“[]
Seraphina’s gift.
He didn’t look at me when he spoke. His voice was steady.
“The family’s busy preparing for Seraphina’s engagement to Alistair.]
For now, it’s better if you stay somewhere else.“]
So… they weren’t married yet?]]
Three years, and they still hadn’t wed.[]
They’d waited until my punishment was complete.[]
Of course. So I could see it for myself.[]
Lsmiled faintly.
Lord Edmund wanted me to understand: Even if I was innocent, even if I was wrongly condemned…]
I no longer belonged to the Heartford family.]
And I had no place in anything or anyone connected to them.]
10.1%
