Part 1The Goddess and the Duke

When I finally reunited with my childhood sweetheart, Alexander "Xander" Sterling, he had a "Lucky Girl" by his side.

She was the kingdom’s darling, caring for him deeply, her love rooted deep.

Seeing me nestled in Xander’s arms, she cursed me as a seductress, stealing her beloved.

"You're just a passing fancy for Xander. How can you compare to our five years of history?"

I chuckled silently.

"Sorry, darling. I'm not the new fling. I'm the one he never forgot."

* * *

The day Xander brought me back to the Kingdom of Zephyr, it coincided with the Mid-Autumn Royal Banquet. The King of Zephyr led his court to welcome us at the palace gates.

Xander’s black coat fluttered, his long sword dripping blood, radiating an aura that screamed "stay away."

I fearlessly wrapped my arms around his neck, a string of jade prayer beads winding through my fingers, leaving an ambiguous red mark on his porcelain-like neck.

He bent down and lifted me up, submissive as a devotee.

Everyone saw the person in the arms of the Duke of Sterling. Stunningly beautiful, dressed in light silk, hair soft and black, skin like porcelain.

Wrapped in a white fox fur cape, half my face was hidden by the fluffy hood, revealing only my chin and exquisite lips. My entire being exuded a divine aura, untouchable, effortlessly drawing everyone's gaze.

The crowd curtsied to me, but one person didn't bow, her tone displeased. "Where did this sickly beauty come from? Why does the King and all these powerful officials have to bow to her?"

"Lady Tiffany, that is the most precious Princess of the Kingdom of Aethelgard, Seraphina. Her whole country worships her as a living goddess. She lives in a temple, sleeps on an altar, and enjoys the offerings of thousands."

"I heard the Princess can predict fortunes and summon wind and rain. She once resolved a decade-long drought..."

"So what? I represent the luck of Zephyr! Everyone knows I'm the King's lucky charm."

I lifted a corner of my hood, revealing my eyes, and looked at the speaker.

She was slender, wearing a yellow silk dress. Oval face, bright eyes shifting, a golden phoenix hairpin slanted in her hair.

Tiffany Tang, the eldest daughter of Zephyr's Prime Minister. Though born of a concubine, she was the Tang family's most presentable daughter.

Rumor had it Tiffany was blessed with incredible luck. Everyone liked her. Being close to her could turn misfortune into fortune; many nobles owed her favors.

She’d find silver when she stepped out, accidentally save disguised officials on the road, and businesses under her name only made profits.

The most miraculous event was during the King’s autumn hunt. A stag nearly charged him, but the moment Tiffany appeared, its antlers snapped on their own. She was titled a Lady for her sheer luck and had been pampered ever since.

Tiffany’s gaze fixed straight on Xander. "Xander, you're finally back."

Xander gave her a lukewarm look. "Something the matter?"

Meeting Xander’s eyes, she blushed, acting shy. "The King issued a decree yesterday for me to marry you."

Xander cast a cold, heavy stare at the King, curving his lips in a mockery mixed with indescribable ruthlessness.

He scoffed lightly, his eyes sweeping over Tiffany blocking the way. "Move. The Princess gets cold."

The air froze instantly. Probably no one expected the Duke of Sterling to show zero face.

Tiffany looked me up and down suspiciously. "Is she really that cold? I've seen plenty of girls feigning weakness." Saying that, she reached out to lift my cape.

Xander dodged her while holding me. She missed and dramatically fell to the ground.

"Xander..."

Xander’s cold, deep eyes swept over her, his posture holding me unchanged. "The Princess is royalty; she has no sister."

His chilly gaze moved to the Prime Minister. "Randomly climbing social ladders—is this how the Prime Minister teaches his family? Maybe you should kneel here and let the autumn wind clear your head."

With that, Xander held me and walked past Tiffany indifferently.

My lips curved slightly. I pressed my forehead against Xander’s neck, lowering my lashes to look down at her.

A fleeting eye contact. Tiffany’s face was pale; my eyes were full of smiles.

There is a hierarchy between legitimate and illegitimate, let alone the heaven-and-earth difference between royalty and a noble's daughter.

The officials stayed silent, not daring to look back. They followed into the great hall, leaving Tiffany kneeling alone outside, the cold wind howling.