Chapter 4
Edmund huddled through the night, the bitter wind slicing through his tattered cloak.
Years ago, this was his life–scraping by, bedding down beneath the stars with nary a roof to call his own. Then Luciana swept in, pulling him from the mire. Once his name was cleared, he traded rags for fine velvet and feasted like a noble in halls of grandeur.
Now, after years of ease, being cast out hit like a kick to the chest. His body and soul had gone soft.
But thank the heavens, he thought, it was just one night. It wouldn’t last.
To give Juliette her rest, he waited longer than needed before knocking on her heavy door.
The same surly servant from last night answered, glaring like Edmund was filth on his boot.
“Clear off!” the man growled, shoving him back. “Still skulking about? You’re not fit to breathe Princess Juliette’s air!”
“She knows me!” Edmund blurted, voice tight. “Princess Juliette’s seen me before–she’ll know who I am. Just tell her I’m here, I beg you.”
Their tussle at the gate drew stares. A maid from Juliette’s household swept over, skirts rustling.
“What’s this ruckus?” she snapped. “Toss him out!”
“Please, lady, I’m Edmund Faulkner,” he said, bowing low, his tone meek. “Princess Juliette met me at the Chancellor’s estate. You saw me there too. I’m begging–tell her I seek her mercy.”
He’d never bowed so low for Luciana. But Juliette? She was another matter.
Her world sparkled with poets and scholars, and he’d eat dust to stay near her.
The maid knew his name but sneered. She hesitated, fearing Juliette’s wrath might fall on her for even mentioning him.
“Go tell her!” Edmund pressed, voice firm. “She’ll want to see me.”
He nearly said Juliette would take him in–because in his old life, she’d sworn she would. He believed if Luciana hadn’t interfered, Juliette
would’ve been his savior.
Swayed by his grit, the maid sighed and went inside.
Juliette was barely awake, slouched before her silver mirror, dreading the day’s duties. She was due at the palace to greet the queen, and the thought made her stomach twist.
“Milady,” the maid said warily, “a man’s at the gate–Edmund Faulkner. He’s begging to see you.”
Juliette’s face soured. “Who does he think he is? Edmund who?”
The maid cursed Edmund under her breath. Juliette didn’t even know him, and now she’d catch a scolding for passing on his plea.
When Juliette pressed, the maid stammered/“He says you met him at the Chancellor’s estate. The gate boy says he came last night, from
Princess Luciana’s household.”
“Luciana’s man?” Juliette’s mood darkened.
‘Ugh, what a rotten start. My morning’s already gone south, and now this foolishness?‘ she thought to herself.
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Chapter 4
She hadn’t a clue who Edmund was, nor any desire to shelter him.
The maid took a sharp tongue–lashing from Juliette and stormed back out, barking at the servants to thrash Edmund and warn him never to darken Juliette’s door again.
As Edmund crumpled under their blows, Donovan watched from the shadows, a grin curling his lips.
He sauntered back to Luciana, eager to share the gossip.
“Got himself beaten black and blue already!” Luciana crowed, clapping her hands.
‘Let that fool wait for Juliette to come swooping in to save his sorry hide,‘ she thought with a smirk.
Donovan, catching her delight, smirked.
“Didn’t I tell you to rest up?” Luciana teased, eyeing him. “Getting too big for your breeches, eh?”
Donovan dropped to one knee, flustered. “I’m fit as a fiddle, milady. You’re off to the palace today, and I want to be there to keep you safe.”
He never had to explain before. If he wasn’t on a task, he was always at her side. Luciana didn’t push.
“Back to normal already?” Her eyes flicked down, avoiding any hint of blood.
“Right as rain,” Donovan swore.
Luciana relented, letting him join her. Today’s palace visit was mainly to pay respects to the queen, but she also had a score to settle with another ungrateful soul–and a chance to size up her so–called “dear” sister.
That other soul? A hostage prince from Velmora Empire. Luciana prayed he’d been thrown into this world too, just to make things more interesting.
As her carriage rattled over the cobblestones, Luciana lifted the velvet curtain, gazing at the bustling city.
Donovan, ever watchful, spotted a familiar figure limping along, looking like a whipped dog.
When the man saw the princess’s carriage, he ducked away fast.
“Milady,” Donovan said with a sly grin, “that’s Edmund.”
Luciana followed his gaze. One night, and Edmund was a wreck.
“Keep an eye on him,” she ordered. “Anything happens, you tell me. If he’s starving, toss him some moldy bread. He owes me coin–he can’t die yet.”
Donovan nodded. “Done.”
He remembered Edmund’s tantrum at Luciana’s manor days ago. Back then, she’d been patient, not even raising her voice.
Now? Her icy tone said he’d pushed her too far.
“Idiot,” he muttered under his breath.
In a dim corner of the palace, Jacob Hutton endured the jeers of the queen’s servants. He scraped crumbs of a crushed roll from under a
page’s boot and choked them down.
‘Not yet,‘ he thought, jaw tight. ‘I won’t die here. I’ll return to Velmora, claim my crown. Fate gave me this second chance to set things right. I
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survived once–I’ll do it again.’
Just a bit longer. Both ladies were expected at court today. When Juliette arrived, he’d be free.
“Well, well! The high–and–mighty Prince of Velmora eating this muck? Snatch it from him, lads!” a voice echoed,
At the head guard’s sharp command, his men swarmed forward, shoving Jacob to the dirt and trampling him under their boots.
For years, the Duskwyn and Velmora Empires had clashed in brutal wars. Just months ago, Duskwyn crushed their rival, forcing Velmora to pay tribute, swear fealty, and send Jacob as a hostage to seal the peace.
The wounds of war festered still. Countless souls had perished, and Duskwyn’s people loathed Velmora with a fiery passion.
Palace servants, grieving fathers and brothers lost to battle, turned their rage on the captive prince.
In his old life, Luciana had chanced upon him one day. Her heart softened at his plight, and fearing the trouble his death might bring Duskwyn, she stepped in. She ordered the maids and guards to leave him be.
As time passed, the empires‘ feud cooled. Duskwyn’s king freed Jacob, who vowed Velmora would keep paying tribute and bowing low.
He kept his promise–but claimed it was all for Juliette, to repay her for saving him.
Luciana didn’t mind the mix–up. She hadn’t helped him for thanks or glory.
But then, in Velmora, Jacob turned dark. He slew his father, seized the throne, and crowned himself emperor.
In Duskwyn, Luciana fought to place her younger brother on the throne.
Before their coronations, the new rulers exchanged letters, arranging a marriage to bind their realms. Luciana was the chosen bride.
But in Velmora, she found only shame and scorn. Jacob hadn’t forgotten the cruelty of Duskwyn’s servants–and he poured all his vengeance
on her.
Pure madness.
It was Luciana who saved him, yet he swore that without her, he’d have met the “sweeter, kinder” Juliette, who’d have spared him without making him the court’s jest.
He didn’t just spurn her aid–he wished he’d never begged for it.
‘So be it!‘ Luciana thought. ‘Today, the past plays out again. Let’s see how fate turns this time.‘
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