In the days that followed, I focused solely on preparing for the wedding, shutting myself in the palace, refusing to hear or see any news about him.
Until the day before Jocab was to take Sophie as his concubine mate, he sudmanorly came to the palace.
Although it had only been a few days since we last met, standing face to face now felt like being separated by mountains and oceans.
The silence spread through the air, and finally, he was the one who broke it:
"Yuki, I know you get jealous easily and get upset when I talk to other women, but I really only see Sophie as a sister.
Taking her as a concubine mate is just to protect her. In the future, I'll have her move to the suburban estate.
That way, after our bond, you two won't see each other often, and there won't be any conflict."
"bond?"
I lowered my head to avoid his gaze, my voice cold as frost:
"No need to trouble yourself.She can live wherever she wants.No need to consider my feelings.
So that if anything happens to her, no one will accuse me of driving her away."
He thought I was still sulking and tried to coax me patiently:"Yuki, stop being angry.What happened before was my fault.I apologize, alright?"
If it were before, I would have softened and forgiven him.
But now, I only found it absurd.
I looked up at him, my tone calm yet firm:
"I won't hold it against you anymore-because there will be no bond between us."
He froze for a moment, a look of helplessness flashing through his eyes:
"Nonsense!If you don't marry me, who will you marry?Anyone who dares marry you-I won't let him live!If the veil is ruined, I'll embroider a new one.Stop making a fuss."
Before he finished, a guard sudmanorly barged in:
"Mr. Winslow, Miss Rowan wants to choose tomorrow's wedding gown. Please return."
Jocab nodded, coaxed me a few more times, then turned and left.
Watching his resolute back, I pulled out a bitter smile and murmured softly:
"Jocab, you still don't know-what we had is already over."
That night, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep, dreaming only of wedding scenes.
I sat in the bridal carriage, full of joy, waiting to marry my beloved.
But in the bridal chamber, I waited from nightfall to dawn, yet the groom never came.
Until a loud burst of firecrackers jolted me awake.
Outside, the chatter was crystal clear:
"Mr. Winslow's wedding procession has set out!"
I got up and climbed to the highest point of the palace wall, gazing afar.
The Marquis's resimanorce was brilliantly decorated, with red ornaments stretching for miles down the street.
Jocab dressed in glaring red, like a flame burning into my heart.
But in the wedding sedan beside him sat Sophie.
I watched as he carried her in his arms, stepping over the fire basin,
And under the cheers of the crowd, entered the Marquis's resimanorce-
I didn't know how long I stood there until Lily came bringing a gift box:
"Princess, this is the wedding gift alpha king and luna asked you to deliver.Her Majesty said-when fate is over, it must be severed."
I knew, my mother wanted me to see it with my own eyes-so I could give up completely.
When I arrived at the Marquis's resimanorce, the guests had all left.
The servants thought I was the future lady of the house and didn't announce me.
I walked alone to the rear courtyard.
Through the window, I saw Jocab lift Sophie's veil.
The two held hands and drank the ceremonial wine.
He closed his eyes in a drunken daze, while Sophie blushed and sat on his lap, leaning in to kiss him.
He instinctively wrapped his arm around her waist, mumbling something.
I turned to leave, but accimanortally knocked over a vase on the windowsill.
With a loud crash, a panicked shout came from behind:
"Yuki?!"
