Part 2The War Bride Who Waited No More

Charles shot a mocking glance over his shoulder at his men, his voice dripping with arrogance.

"Ten years ago, I told you not to marry this guy. First, he's not as fit as me. Second, his family's not as wealthy as mine. Third, he doesn't treat you half as well as I do. Marrying me? That's just common sense."

I didn't have the energy to trade barbs with him. I spoke softly instead.

"Did you ask the King for his decree? And if I say no mistresses—ever—would you agree?"

He snorted, nodded once, then waved lazily and headed back to the palace.

A small laugh escaped me. But before the smile even left my lips, I turned and saw the chaos inside.

Lena had somehow gotten her hands on all the jewelry Charles had brought—the hairpins, the necklaces, the rings. She was wearing them like they were hers. And Sebastian was right beside her, smashing everything she didn't want against the floor.

I crossed the room in a flash and slapped him across the face.

"Put it down!"

Lena flinched at my shout, clutching her belly and scrambling behind Sebastian for cover.

That only triggered his protective streak. His brows knitted together, his eyes full of contempt.

"It's just a pile of cheap trinkets. What's the big deal? You're not even the Crown Prince's wife yet."

I didn't bother arguing. I reached over and ripped the jewelry right off Lena's head.

"Without permission, that's called theft. And if a general covers for a thief, he's no better than one."

Sebastian swept his arm across the table and sent an entire box of jewels crashing to the floor. His voice came out rough.

"You've barely set foot outside this estate your whole life. And you think you have the right to judge us—people who've bled across every border this kingdom has?"

I refused to engage. The mess was bad enough. When Charles got back, he wouldn't let this slide.

Then I heard the crack of splintering wood, followed by a heavy crash.

My heart dropped.

I turned. The magnolia tree was lying on its side, torn from the earth.

My fists clenched.

"Who gave you permission to cut that down?"

Sebastian's handsome face twisted into a cold smile.

"I did. Lena can't stand the smell of those flowers. And she's pregnant. So the tree had to go."

My eyes burned. My hands wouldn't stop shaking.

"My father used his last breath to plant that tree. He hung a wooden cross on its branches and told me it would watch over your career, Sebastian. Do you have a heart at all?"

For a moment, he froze. He looked at my red-rimmed eyes and didn't seem to know what to say.

It was pouring rain by then. I didn't care. I dropped to my knees in the mud and started digging through the broken branches, searching for my father's cross.

The wind ripped through my clothes. The cold didn't matter.

Finally—soaked to the bone—I found it. Splintered but still whole. I pressed it to my chest, tears streaming down my face.

Then came the thunder. A bolt of lightning split the sky and struck the stump of the fallen tree.

Sebastian lunged forward and pulled me into his arms.

I stared at the ruined courtyard—the smashed jewels, the shattered tree, the muddy ground—and sobbed.

"Sebastian... I don't have a home anymore."

His throat bobbed. He reached up to wipe my tears.

But before his hand touched my face, a scream tore through the house from the inner quarters.