Chapter 3

When James entered her room that night, it was almost midnight. Lynette was getting ready for bed when the attendants announced his arrival, and she had to get dressed to greet him.

Daisy wanted to do up her hair, but she waved her maid off. “No need for that.”

James brought a cold breeze into the room with him, pausing when he saw she was only wearing her nightgown with her hair down.

“Greetings, Your Majesty.” Lynette bowed.

“As you were.” James sat by the table and poured himself a cup of tea. “The queen suggested a name for the princess: Annie. Since you’re her biological mother, I thought I should ask what you think.”

Lynette lowered her gaze. “Queen Isabella is the princess’ mother. Any name she suggests would be wonderful for her.”

James’s hand tightened around the teacup. The fireplace crackled, then he said softly, putting down the cup. “It’s good that you think that. There’s one more reason I came here. Prince Charles is three years old now, so it’s time he had a teacher. The queen will personally appoint him a royal tutor.”

Lynette listened wordlessly.

James paused and then said, “I was thinking… that it’d be best if you didn’t see the child so often. The prince is young. If he knew his biological mother was someone else, it might cause problems. It’d be best for everyone involved if he only recognized one woman as his mother.”

She raised her head and looked at him directly. Her gaze was still as a silent lake under the candlelight. “Understood.”

James suddenly felt a little frustrated. He would rather her cry or beg, or weep and ask him why like she used to. Anything but the way she was now, like an obedient puppet with her strings cut.

“Do you have any complaints?” His voice went cold.

“I wouldn’t dare.”

Jame felt his temper catch in his chest. Seeing her so docile made him even more upset than when she pleaded with him in tears. “Lynette Eaves, are you acting like this because you resent me? If you are dissatisfied, how will you continue bearing the royal heirs?”

Lynette tugged at the corners of her lips, whether out of mockery or apathy none could tell. “If you want more heirs, Your Majesty, you could bring other women into your harem. I’m afraid I can’t live up to your expectations.”

“You…!” James jumped to his feet abruptly. “I swore an oath to the queen! By taking you in, I’ve already broken my word to remain loyal to her. How could I take another?!”

The moment he said that, the room fell quiet. James froze and looked at Lynette’s face. All the blood had drained from her face; she was biting down hard on her pale lips, and her eyelashes trembled with what almost looked like tears.

Only then did he realize how cruel his words had been. He had yelled at the woman who was still weak in bed from bearing him two children, emphasizing just how much he loved another.

An awkward silence hung over the room.

Lynette forced herself off the bed and onto the floor, where she kneeled before James. “Forgive me, Your Majesty. Your love with Queen Isabella will go down in legend. May you have a restful night, Your Majesty.”

She continued prostrating herself, her thin body trembling slightly in the dim light, but she did not say another word.

James looked at her figure on the floor, the frustration and inexplicable pain twisting in his chest.

He suddenly remembered how she looked when he married her three years ago. Back then, she would smile, pluck flowers from the garden, and sit next to him quietly as he worked.

Once he looked up and caught her staring at him. When their gazes met, she lowered her head hastily, her ears reddening.

When did she stop meeting his eyes?

He wanted to help her up and say something to make it up to her, but his pride as the king and his guilt toward Isabella froze him in place. In the end, he stormed away angrily… more flustered than he would dare to admit.

The door opened and then slammed shut again, bringing a wave of cold air.

Daisy rushed to Lynette’s side, helping her up as she sobbed, “Why did you do that, my lady…?”

Lynette let Daisy lay her down in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. After a long time, tears flowed from her eyes and into her hair.

She wept soundlessly at first, her shoulders trembling. Then, broken sobs leaked from her throat, and she sobbed like an injured animal.

She yanked her covers up, biting the corners tightly to muffle her sobs. All that remained was her shaking body.

“My lady, please cry all you want. Don’t suppress it…” Daisy wept, her heart breaking for her.

After a long time, the trembling finally stopped. Lynette pushed off her covers, her face streaked with tears but eerily calm.

She looked at Daisy, who was also weeping. Lynette’s voice was hoarse, but clear. “Just this once, Daisy.”

“What?”

“I will only cry this once.” She raised her hand and rubbed the tear marks off her face. Her fingers were cold. “I will never cry again.”

She looked past Daisy into the void, repeating for Daisy’s ears or her own.

“It isn’t worth it.

“He isn’t worth it. Not at all.”