(.... What?)
Darian and Rose both stared at Katherine, dumbfounded.
Was she serious? It was an obvious bluff, right?
"Sister, did you hit your head?" Rose asked doubtfully. There was no way the Katherine she knew would ever suggest calling off the engagement.
Katherine might have been meek, shy, weak, and lacking confidence, but she was stubborn, especially when it came to the engagement.
"You should know better than me, sister. After all, you were there when I fell," Katherine responded. Something in her tone sent shivers down Rose's spine.
Wait, she was scared? No way. But… she does seem a bit different.
"What are you scheming? If you think you can get my attention by doing this, then you're sorely mistaken," Darian berated Katherine, assuming she was trying to manipulate him with dramatic antics.
Katherine stared at him in disbelief. Where does he get his confidence from? He's… pretty much average. Does he really think everyone wants him just because he's the crown prince?
"I'm really not scheming anything. Falling off my balcony forced me to realize that if I'm going to get married, I'd rather marry a Baron's son who loves me than a crown prince who doesn't," she said as kindly as possible. The last thing she needed was to be accused of disrespecting royalty.
Wait, is that a crime in this world? she wondered
"At least something good came out of your balcony stunt," Darian said approvingly.
Ker bristled. The nerve of this guy. Let me kill him, he deserves a thousand deaths. His fiance almost died and he dares to call it a stunt?
"Relax, Ker. We're no longer Alpha Queen," Katherine whispered softly, just enough for her wolf to hear.
"Did you say something just now?" Darian asked, frowning.
"I asked when we should meet the King," she replied, shifting the topic. Not having a mind-link in this world is turning out to be a pain, she thought.
"We'll go as soon as you get better," Darian smirked, waving a hand.
Katherine unhurriedly sat up. "I feel fine now. Can we go today? The sooner we get this done, the better it will be for both of us."
"Okay, if you're sure you can manage," Darian said. "I'll discuss this with your father." He turned and left the room.
Rose watched in disbelief. She couldn't believe Katherine was serious, and even more, she didn't seem like her meek, shy self. She had a commanding aura now. Did I just imagine that?
"You don't by chance think I forgot that you pushed me off the balcony, do you?" Katherine said, once Darian was gone.
Rose stared provocatively. "Of course not. I just know that no one would believe you even if you said anything."
"Hm… And what makes you think I'd want people to know? If anything were to happen to you, I'd be the first suspect," Katherine said, her voice low and threatening.
"Is that a threat?" Rose asked, trying to sound unphased, but it was clear she was scared.
Katherine smiled sweetly. "Do you feel threatened?" she asked, her tone dangerously calm.
"Hmph." Rose hmphed, then quickly walked out. Was that really Katherine? she wondered, unanswered.
As soon as Rose left, a young girl of about sixteen entered with a tray of food. Katherine recognized her from her memories as Lily, the only maid who had ever been kind to her.
"M'lady, how are you feeling?" Lily asked, setting the tray on the bedside table.
"I'm fine, Lily. Thank you," Katherine said, grabbing the food hungrily. She was starving and ate everything on her plate.
Lily watched with a happy expression. Katherine catching her gaze was unusual; when she was Ciara, no one dared look at her without fear. This simple kindness felt like a luxury.
"Shall I prepare your bath?" Lily asked once Katherine finished eating.
"Yes, please," Katherine replied with a gentle nod. Lily opened the door to the bathroom and began preparations.
Katherine stood and looked around the room. The large bedroom had a beautiful hardwood floor, a golden upholstered bed, sconces with magic stones, a curved ceiling with chandelier, crystal lamps on bedside tables, a vanity, coffee table with accent chairs, a daybed, bookshelf, and study table. Despite her previous treatment, her room was decent.
Katherine sat at the vanity to examine her appearance: silver hair like moonlight, almond-shaped eyes colored like the starry midnight sky, a thin high-bridged nose, slightly pouty heart-shaped lips, and pale skin.
"M'lady, the bath is ready," Lily said, leading her to the walk-in closet before the bathroom. The closet had elegant dresses, a few new, a shoe rack, a full-length mirror, and another vanity.
After changing out of her nightgown, Katherine went to the bathroom. The marble vanity, gold fittings, freestanding bath, and bath oils reflected opulence. After bathing, Lily dressed her in a baby-blue half-shoulder gown, did her makeup naturally, and styled her hair in a neat, loose twist.
"You look beautiful as always, M'lady," Lily praised.
Dressed, Katherine went to her father's study. The discussion had already been finalized, unsurprisingly. The Marquis favored his youngest daughter and wanted the title of crown princess to go to her.
"There's no time to prepare a separate carriage for you, so you'll ride with me," Darian said, as if warning her not to assume any special treatment.
Ker scoffed. Does he really think he's all that, just because he's crown prince?
Katherine ignored him and walked past, unbothered. Her father watched in surprise.
The crown prince's carriage waited at the mansion entrance. Crafted from ebony wood with hand-carved golden motifs, adorned with the family crest, it gleamed in sunlight, a testament to the kingdom's wealth.
"Did he seriously have to come in such a flashy carriage? I mean, we get it, he's rich and all," Ker rolled her eyes.
"Ker, do you have some beef with the prince or something? Because there is clearly nothing wrong with his carriage," Katherine asked, noticing her wolf's constant commentary.
"I just… don't like him," Ker replied bluntly, exasperated.
Katherine smirked slightly, amused by Ker's blunt honesty, and shrugged.
Once Darian was seated, Katherine helped herself in, and the carriage set off.
---
The ride to the palace took three hours—one through cobblestone streets and two through a bumpy forest road used by the royal family for hunting. Silence reigned, each lost in their own thoughts.
At the palace, knights helped them down.
"Welcome back, Your Highness," they said.
The palace rose grandly: carved marble, colossal dragon statues, a chandelier casting a soft glow, ivory walls, polished floors, golden and silver tapestries, and ceiling frescoes depicting history and celestial scenes.
---
"What is the meaning of this? Why suddenly marry the second daughter?" King Edward Kingsley fumed. He had thought they came to announce a wedding date, not a change in choice.
The King was furious at Darian's choice. Rose was legitimate but conceived under deceit. Katherine, daughter of the late Marchioness, was clearly the better choice.
"It's okay, Your Majesty. I understand the prince has feelings for my sister, and I don't wish to stand in their way," Katherine said calmly.
The King was surprised but delighted by her maturity.
"Sigh," he murmured. "What a kind and thoughtful young lady. A shame my idiot son couldn't see your value."
An idea struck. "Kendrick," he called out to hid aide. "Prepare a new edict. Lady Katherine will marry my eldest son, Prince Liam."
Yes, you read that right, eldest son...
Prince Liam Everhart Kingsley was the legitimate eldest son of the late Queen, the previous queen. His mother had been loved and respected across the kingdom, and by all rights, Liam was the crown prince.
But the nobles whispered about his weak constitution. Sickly and fragile, he could barely withstand the rigors of court life, and everyone feared he would not survive long in the role of ruler. That's why, despite being the rightful heir, the crown had been given in practice to his younger brother, Darian Montclair Kingsley, the son of the current queen. Healthy, strong, and vibrant, Darian had become the kingdom's de facto crown prince, while Liam, though legitimate, remained sidelined by circumstance.
"WHAT?!" Darian and Katherine shouted in unison.