9
Damian looked haggard and worn, his movements stiff, clearly still in pain from his punishment. I turned to
leave, but he called out to me.
‘Seraphina, I was wrong. Can we start over? Please? I’ve spent these past days thinking. It was my own heart I failed to recognize. I thought I loved Clara, but when I saw you were to marry that… that thief, my heart
broke…”
frowned, having no patience for his madness. But he seized my wrist.
‘Damian, have some self–respect. I am your brother’s wife now!”
He seemed to snap. “No!” he cried. “You are my lawfully wedded wife! It was me you were supposed to mar y! We can go to the King, we can make things right…”
His grip was painful. I glared at him, but was startled by the raw agony on his face. He had never looked at
ne like that before.
As if… as if he truly did love me.
faltered for a moment, and a flicker of hope ignited in his eyes.
You still love me, don’t you? Forget Clara, forget Rhys. Let us start anew…”
nto his expectant gaze, I spoke, my voice calm and clear.
Damian, I was only ever using you as a substitute for him.”
His face went white. His entire body began to tremble. “You’re saying that to hurt me. You were the one who Oursued me! You can’t run away! I was wrong to ruin our wedding, I’ll make it up to you… We can have ou
wedding night now…”
He started to drag me toward the house. Alarmed, I opened my mouth to scream, but was suddenly pulled nto a warm, protective embrace.
To lay hands on your brother’s wife… do you have a death wish?”
}
Rhys’s foot came down on Damian’s hand with merciless force. I heard the sickening crack of bone.
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Chapter 2
The Duke and Duchess, rushing to the scene, cried out, begging Rhys for mercy.
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“See that he never appears before my wife again. I have no sentiment for a brother such as this.” Rhys relea sed him and led me away, not noticing the dark, venomous hatred in Damian’s eyes as he watched us go.
Back in our chambers, he took my wrist, his brow furrowing at the angry red marks. He gently applied a soot
hing balm.
I looked at him, my heart aching for him. Though they were both sons of the Duke, Damian had been raised in love and privilege. To save Damian from the King’s full wrath, the Duke had been forced to relinquish hal his lands. Even now, with Rhys returned, when conflict arose, his parents‘ first instinct was to protect thei
favored son.
He looked up, as if sensing my thoughts. “Seraphina,” he asked, “will you stay with me forever?”
smoothed his hair back from his forehead and smiled. “Of course. We are husband and wife.”
He looked down, his hand closing gently around mine.
A few days later, a band of brigands began terrorizing the countryside. The King, recalling Rhys’s victories commanded him to lead the campaign against them.
Before he left, he looked at me, a great resolve in his eyes. “Seraphina, when I return, there is something nust tell you.”
smiled. “When you return, I have something to tell you, as well.”
He held me close for a long moment, then turned and rode away.
Five days later, Rhys returned, victorious. His parents and I waited anxiously at the gates. He strode through hem, still wearing his black iron mask. Only when he saw us did he remove it. Seeing my calm expression, ne seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.
Later, in our chambers, I asked him, “Rhys, where did our parents send Damian?”
His expression was guarded. “Why do you mention him? It is late, my lady. Let us rest.”
looked at him, my gaze steady, and then I let out a cold laugh.
‘Damian, how long do you intend to keep up this charade?”
His face changed. He forced a smile. “My lady, what are you saying? I am Rhys. Why do you insist on speaki- ng of my brother?”
“Because, Damian, though you share a face, you are nothing like him.”
His smile finally faltered. His voice was hoarse. “How did you know? Not even my parents could tell the diff-
erence.”
“I knew from the day you hired him as your ‘automaton.‘ I told you, I was only ever using you as his substitute.
7/9
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Chapter 2
I chose the wrong man.”
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My quiet words made him snap. “You never loved me! It was always him, wasn’t it? But if you could mistake me for him then, and pursue me for so long, why can’t you continue to mistake me for him now, and live with
me?”
Seeing his desperation, I only frowned. “And what of Clara?”
A light flared in his eyes. “I will send her away, far away! I didn’t see my own heart clearly before, but I dc
now. We can have a good life together…”
I cut him off, my face a mask of stone. “Tell me, why do you have my husband’s mask? And why did you retu
rn in his place?”
Damian threw his head back and laughed, a wild, broken sound. “Him? That fraud? I killed him!”
My heart seized. “Impossible!” I cried. “You lie! He is a master swordsman. You are no match for him!”
‘Why impossible? He fell right into the trap I set for him. Not even God himself could save him then!”
He lunged for me. “Seraphina, I have dealt with everyone who stood between us. Now, let me give you you
wedding night…”
He never finished the sentence. He let out a piercing scream and collapsed. A long, wicked–looking spea had pierced through his calf, pinning him to the floor.
Behind him stood Rhys, his face a mask of cold fury.
‘Since you value your life so little,” he said, “allow me to grant your wish.”
