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“What is the meaning of this commotion on such a joyous day?”
A voice of absolute authority silenced the square. As the crowd saw the approaching royal party, a wave of
fear washed over them. In an instant, everyone was on their knees.
“Your Majesty!”
Why was the King here? My mind was a chaotic storm. He saw my battered state and his brow furrowed. ‘ Why is she so grievously injured?”
Before I could speak, Clara seized the opportunity. “Your Majesty, Lady Seraphina was unchaste before he wedding and spoke treasonously to the Duke and Duchess of Thorne! She is unfit to be a lady of the house
Lord Damian was merely disciplining her!”
Damian quickly added his own version. “Your Majesty, a thousand pardons for this spectacle. House Thorne was to be joined with House Ashton, but Seraphina’s conduct has been wanton and shameless. In my abse nce, she took a lover and passed him off as me! This man, her accomplice, intended to marry her and usurp
my identity! By the laws of this kingdom, such a woman should be put to death! But as she was once my betrothed, I am willing to show mercy and allow her to live as a lowly consort in my household. Lady Clara and I, however, came together through honest affection. She is pure and good. I beg Your Majesty to bea
witness and permit our union!”
He finished, looking thoroughly pleased with his own magnanimity. Clara beamed, her excitement impossib
le to hide.
“Seraphina of House Ashton,” the King said, his voice stern, his gaze fixed on me. “Have you anything to say?
I summoned all my strength and touched my forehead to the cobblestones. I knew if I was branded with this crime today, my family’s name would be dragged through the mud for generations.
“Your Majesty, I have never been unchaste. I am only fulfilling my marriage vows!”
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Chapter 2
But the faces in the crowd were filled with scorn and disbelief.
“Rhys,” the King said, his voice carrying easily over the square. “It is a good thing you invited me to witness your wedding today. Otherwise, I fear your bride would be quite unable to defend herself.”
His words were like a thunderclap.
Everyone stared at each other in confusion. Today was the wedding of Lord Damian and Lady Seraphina Who was Rhys?
Everyone knew of Rhys, but no one knew his face. He was the Ghost Wolf of the North, the general who wore a black iron mask and had never lost a battle. He had secured the kingdom’s borders and forced our enemi
es to their knees. What did such a hero have to do with this domestic squabble?
, too, stared in disbelief.
As the crowd reeled, the man beside me spoke, his voice deep and resonant. “Your Majesty, I ask you to
deliver justice for my wife!” With that, he too touched his head to the ground.
What? I thought he was the imposter! How can he be the Ghost Wolf? Is there some mistake?”
Even if he is, the King decreed a marriage between Lord Damian and Lady Seraphina! This is hardly proper!”
The crowd buzzed. Damian’s brow was deeply furrowed. “Your Majesty, I do not know what General Rhys ooks like, but it cannot be this man! He is a fraud!”
Clara added her sweet poison. “Yes, Your Majesty! General Rhys is a hero of the realm! He would never dally vith a betrothed woman! Lady Seraphina, I do not know what tricks you’ve employed, but I urge you not to lie >efore the King. It is treason!” She held her head high, a triumphant gleam in her eye, already picturing my
entire family being executed for defying the crown.
Silence,” the King said, his voice flat with annoyance. “Was I speaking to you?”
Clara went pale and began to tremble, bowing her head repeatedly to the ground. Damian, though he looked
Dained, dared not defend her.
‘Your Majesty,” he pressed on, “it is true that in my absence, Seraphina was seen in intimate company with his… substitute. The entire city can attest to it. Such behavior makes her unfit to be my wife, let alone a futu
‘e Duchess!”
