CHAPTER 3

As a result of Joffrey's decision to call off our engagement and, in the same breath, demonstrate to everyone in the Victorian Manor that he was rejecting me as his mate, I was cast from my own home.

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that Joffrey would one day reject me as his mate. I have always thought that I would be spending the rest of my life with him after he imprinted on me when I turned eighteen.

Two years later, this nightmare came to me and ruined every bit of what my future was supposed to look like, and it was all because of a spoiled and desperate stepsister, Myrtle.

When Gwen and I left the manor, I made a vow to myself that I would strive to get back up, and once that happened, I would make every single one of them pay for doing me wrong.

“Lady Leona, please take my pillow. I understand that this isn’t the kind of place where you are most comfortable when sleeping. So I hope this will help a little.” Gwen suddenly interrupted me while I was looking outside the window.

“I’m alright, Gwen. I only need a pillow. Thank you.” I assured her while giving her a soft smile.

“Are you sure about that, my lady? I would certainly feel guilty if you ended up becoming uncomfortable tonight.”

“I don’t think I would be more uncomfortable than I already am, Gwen. I still couldn’t believe that Joffrey would betray me just like that. We’ve been together for so many years. We nearly grew up together until we started seeing each other. And yet, just because he had an affair with Myrtle, he was willing to throw away all those years just to be with her.”

This was the only time I could really vent out all my emotions without anyone questioning me. I know even Gwen wouldn’t dare. She just drew herself to my side to caress my back.

It was already past dark when we both arrived at the nearest tavern in Estia, called Hollies. Although the gold coins I earned from the auction in the capital were returned,or more like thrown back at me by Joffrey, I couldn’t simply live a lavish life like Adelaine and spend everything.

For the time being, Gwen and I stayed in this cheap tavern while sharing a room with a single bed. I don’t mind sharing a bed with Gwen. She was more than just a maid to me. At times, I could feel as though Gwen was my soul sister.

I actually appreciated the fact that instead of going back home to her family, Gwen dedicated her life to staying with me, saying that she could not possibly leave me now in this current predicament that I’m in.

“My lady, I'm so sorry for what happened to you. I was not able to stay with you when you went upstairs earlier. I would have defended you from them back there. I was so helpless.” Gwen eventually said, hoping that her words might somehow ease off the burden that I was feeling at the moment.

As I have heard that from Gwen, my heart felt like it had just been soothed by a loving caress of a genuine sister. At times like this, I have Gwen to thank for being with me.

“Thank you, Gwen. It was needless for you to say that. It was I who ordered you to stay behind anyway, so you don’t have to blame yourself.” I reassured her after wiping out the tears from my face. Eventually, I tried to smile back so that Gwen would not have to worry so much about me.

“If Duke Abram was only here, he wouldn’t let your stepmother treat you like this.” Gwen suddenly said that, which reminded me again of my poor father, who was now in hiding because of all the threats posed to him. Those he incurred at the expense of tarnishing his good reputation just to satisfy the lifestyle that Adelaine requires.

“But he’s not here, and he couldn’t be here because he didn’t want Adelaine and Myrtle to get into trouble. He’d rather suffer living away in hiding for their sake. It’s rather good that he doesn’t show up anyway, my father would only get himself into trouble if he got caught.” I replied.

“But where is Duke Abram hiding right now, though? Do you possibly have any idea, Lady Leona? Perhaps, he could let you stay with him since your stepmother kicked you out of your own home.”

“I really don’t usually ask for my father’s help since the day he got remarried, but—” There was a sudden reluctance in my thoughts. However, I realized that I couldn’t possibly keep spending my hard earned money to provide a roof for me and Gwen.

Suddenly, I remembered about the recent telegram my father sent for me as I was headed back to Estia. “Gwen, where did you keep the recent telegram that my father sent me?” I quickly asked Gwen.

She had a quick response to get it inside the handbag and give it to me. When I opened the telegram, the contents didn’t surprise me anymore. “It was just as I thought, my father was asking me to see him and talk about this bridal selection.”

“Are you coming to see him, my lady?” Gwen asked, and I could see the curiosity in her face.

“Gwen, I need you to do something for me.”

“What is it, my lady?”

“I know it’s late at night, but I need you to find me the fastest horseman around that could bring a confidential letter to my father. I want to inform him that I’m coming to see him tomorrow at noon.”

“If I may ask, my lady, where is Duke Abram now?”

“He’s on the outskirts of Estia.”

“That’s close to the borders of the capital. Are you planning to move there if Duke Abram refuses to let us stay?”

Thinking about it, Gwen has a point. Should my father refuse to accept me staying in his secret hiding, I might be compelled to move to the capital after all. “Yes, that’s most likely what’s going to happen. But it still depends on what’s going to happen tomorrow.” I replied with a heavy sigh, hoping at the very least that my decision to meet with my father tomorrow would be beneficial for me.

*****

THE FOLLOWING DAY.

“For someone who was supposed to be in hiding, I didn’t know that you would actually need such a grand mansion as this.” I said it as my form of greeting to my father—Duke Abram Klaus.

I was even surprised that Gwen and I would arrive seeing this big summer house near the lake just a few more walks to the borderline of the capitol grounds.

“My dear, I guess I simply do not have the time to explain in the letter, but I am still the duke of Estia.

There are far more things I wanted to ask about my father’s new property, however, it was not the main reason why I came here in the first place.

“I’ve been receiving telegrams from you, father. I came here to discuss that.” I went ahead and straightforwardly told him about it.

Father stared at me for a while, and he nodded back. “Perfect timing. I have a guest who’s also waiting for you.” He eventually said, quickly making me curious as to who could be this guest my father was referring to.

Both of us entered his chamber after that, and I was surprised that the guest that my father was talking about was a man in a Vulterion royal uniform.

“Leona, my dear, this is Count Vicente, he’s a beta and an envoy from the palace. He’s here to personally meet you.” My father eventually introduced the count to me. Following that, he then faced the count and introduced me next, “And, uhm, Count Vicente, this is my daughter, Leona.”

“Pleasure to make the acquaintances, Count Vicente.” I promptly made courtesy to the count before me.

And Count Vicente immediately approached me to reach for my forehand and kiss it, “The pleasure is mine, Lady Leona.” he replied.

“I’m sorry for being straightforward, count Vicente. But I wish to know why my father told me that you had traveled from the capital to see me.” I immediately asked him.

Count Vicente flashed a quick smile at me. I get that he could be upset by how direct I come across. Even my father was giving me a disapproving look for coming across as impolite.

“Of course,” The count then replied as he took out a scroll and presented it before me. “I have been deployed here to invite you, Lady Leona Klaus of house Victorian as you are preselected to become a candidate for the bridal selection.”

I didn't even bother to open the scroll. My father had been persistent about this long before, but I never considered it seriously because I was still engaged to Joffrey at that time. After being rejected by him as his mate and having our engagement called off, I am now contemplating whether to accept my father's proposal of marrying a nobleman with a potentially high rank.

What kept me intrigued was the mystery surrounding the identity of the nobleman I am meant to marry.

"It seems like this nobleman was quite particular when it came to choosing a bride." I couldn't resist commenting. It really startled my father to hear me say that, though.

The count Vicente abruptly responded, "Yes, he has this picky reputation for women."

I think I just happened to eat out on what I said. especially when count Vicente added," And I must say, he is not your average nobleman, because I am actually referring to the monarch of the Vulterion kingdom."

It left me completely stunned, unable to resist blurting out, "What? Are you saying that I have been selected to be a candidate bride for the Alpha king of Vulterions?”