"I’ll talk to your father and see what he’ll do," Felista said after listening to Roselyn’s story. She patted her back softly stroking her hair. It must have taken a lot of courage for her to share the story with her. The Roselyn she knew would whine to her at any available opportunity whenever things went the way she didn’t like. She had to admit Roselyn had changed, all thanks to her father. Would she ever forgive him?

Thinking of him alone brought yet another wave of anger coursing through her whole being. He was always at fault, trying to apologize whenever he wronged. Had he not revoked Roselyn’s right as a princess, she’d be probably in Arcadia, even married to a man who loved her maybe. Their greed as parents had forced her to believe Alexander was hers from a very young age. They had all the blame to bear, Felista included.

But funny enough, Henry had not reclaimed her as his daughter nor acknowledged her as the Arcadian princess. Her nose flared at the thought. If he really meant he was sorry, that would be the least he’d do to show it. She had to look for him. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Do you think I’ll ever get married?" Roselyn asked, lifting her damp face to stare at Felista’s emerald eyes.

"Yes dear," Felista forced a smile. "I’ll try my best to see to it."

"You are lying!" She said without batting an eye. "I... No one will even stare at me, let alone like me. Even the knights... I’m embarrassed to step out of my room..." She broke again.

"It’s okay dear," Felista hugged her head.

"No, it’s not!" She said between her sobs. "No one will ever marry me!"

"Hush," Felista consoled. "Your mother will see to it that your face is fixed."

Roselyn stiffened at the mention of that. She lifted her face from her mother’s embrace with wide eyes. "Is there a way?"

"Yes!" Felista shifted to the left leaving a clueless Roselyn expecting for more. "Newton told me there is a way."

"Newton?" She asked perplexed. So it was Newton who was behind all this? But why was he helping her?

"Even I don’t know what it is but I do trust him," she affirmed with a nod. "Does he like you?" Felista asked making Roselyn’s eyes widen.

"He’s just a Crescian who helped me battle through when I was at my lowest. Nothing else!" She made sure her mother heard it.

"He must be a good man. I learned he’s not married," Felista said and watched her daughter’s reaction. And as expected, she got that gap she was waiting for.

"I’ll see your father now. Good day dear." She gave Roselyn a quick peck and left the room.

Alone now, Roselyn processed the information she had got. But why was he helping her? If her mind served her right, she didn’t remember asking for his help, yet he voluntarily went ahead to help her. But at what cost? She was wary of people after the fatal blow life had dealt her lately. She had to put her hopes in him. Her entire future now rested in his hands. Little did she know Newton was to pay the highest cost.

*****

The infirmary was located at the west wing of the palace. Alexander had already arrived when Roselyn walked in. He stood beside a large bed at the center with his hands pocketed and on it lay an unconscious Jade.

"I never expected it’d be this serious," Alexander said without turning to look at her.

With guilt eating her whole, Isadora just stood at the door as if walking closer would scare the life out of Jade. It was her fault nevertheless.

"I didn’t mean to," she said from the safety of the door.

Alexander turned to face her. "Tell me what happened that made you hurt her?"

She swallowed at the seriousness on his face. He looked like the no nonsense knights who would stop at nothing to find the truth.

"I... ," she heard him walk closer to where she was.

"You what?" He asked in the same intimidating tone.

"Your mother said we should share you with Roselyn and I couldn’t take it!" She blurted out. God! Did she sound desperate? She slowly lifted her face only to see him grinning from ear to ear.

"Is it funny?" She asked, irritated by his behavior.

"It was not a bad idea, was it?" He asked instead. "I wouldn’t mind having two wives."

Isadora’s jaw ticked. She knew better than anyone else what he had said was true. Princes could have as many wives as they pleased.

Alexander however had some questions to ask as well. "What were you talking about with my mother?"

God damnit! Having him this close was shutting her mind. She could not think straight with his scent invading her senses. "We wanted to make the three kingdoms an empire."

Alexander frowned. How could he have been left out in such a crucial matter? And now that the three kingdoms were at peace, it would only be considerate to forge an alliance, and an empire was just the best option. He never knew she would be that clever!

"And who is going to be the emperor?" He asked though he knew the answer already.

"You of course." She replied, avoiding his gaze.

"So the issue comes to the empress?" He hurramphed in thought. It was only natural that either Crescia and Arcadia would want their princesses married to him. But seeing his singing bird was so against the idea that she ended up nearly killing her aunt, he decided to view it from another perspective.

"What if we form the empire, only me and you?" Clever bastard! Crescia and Valoria were the strongest in terms of military power so it only meant the other kingdoms would submit to them. However, Valoria was at it’s worst currently and she needed both Crescia and Valoria to retain its lost glory. Arcadia would have its demands in the whole damn thing! He clenched his fists tightly.