Chapter 2

The night of the coming-of-age ball.

Aaron and Rose finally strolled in late, long after the regional lords and elders had already started mingling. Rose’s face was flushed, and Aaron’s collar was completely unbuttoned, sporting obvious hickeys on his neck. You’d have to be legally blind to miss what they’d just been doing.

In my past life, I would have thrown a massive, hysterical fit, screaming and demanding to know how they could humiliate me like this. But now? I barely spared them a glance, took a sip of my champagne, and went right back to chatting with an elven duke.

Aaron noticed my eyes linger on them for a split second. He immediately stepped in front of Rose like a guard dog, staring at me defensively. But when I didn't blow up, he actually looked annoyed. He forced a mocking smirk.

“What's the matter, Quinn? Scared I'll call off the engagement, so you're playing the cool, submissive fiancé? Smart move. I'm the future King, after all—I'm obviously going to have plenty of women over my long lifespan. Since you behaved yourself tonight, I guess I can reward you.”

He reached into his coat and pulled out a stunning velvet jewelry box. But before it could even reach my hand, Rose snatched it right out of his fingers.

“Oh my god, it's gorgeous! Isn't this the limited-edition Starlight Bracelet forged by the dwarven masters? It's literally impossible to get!”

Aaron immediately pulled his hand back, flashing her a doting smile. “You like it, babe? It's yours.”

Rose put on a fake, awkward display, looking at me sideways. “Oh, but Aaron, isn't this Lady Quinn’s birthday present? I’d feel terrible taking away her gift.” Her mouth said one thing, but her eyes were dripping with pure gloating triumph.

“Please, it's fine,” Aaron said dismissively. “Just keep it. As for her? I'll find some random junk to throw her way later. Doesn't matter anyway—she treats anything I touch like holy water.”

That humiliating jab drew a wave of snickers from the surrounding nobles.

It used to be exactly like that. Once, during a winter solstice storm, I arrived at the Dragon Fortress soaked to the bone. He casually tossed me an old cloak, and like a total idiot, I treasured it for years. Later, he caught me secretly breathing in his scent on it, and his face twisted in disgust. “Could you be any more pathetic?”

My teenage dignity had been crushed in public, leaving me wanting to sink into the floorboards. Remembering that now, I just felt completely bored. I set my glass down and turned to leave.

Aaron lunged forward, grabbing my wrist with a sneer. “What, throwing a tantrum now? Can't keep up the act? I knew a toxic bitch like you couldn't actually play nice.”

I violently ripped my hand away. “Keep your hands to yourself, Aaron.”

Aaron blinked, stunned for a fraction of a second, before raising his voice so the entire hall could hear. “Keep my hands off you? Weren't you begging to ride my dick just a second ago? We're going to be sharing a bed soon anyway, so stop acting like a virgin saint.”

I looked him dead in the eye and said, word for word. “Who said I'm marrying you?”

The entire ballroom went dead silent. Then, a massive explosion of laughter erupted.

“Then who the hell are you marrying?” Aaron laughed like he’d just heard the joke of the century. “You’re hopelessly obsessed with me. Who else is going to take you? Cael?” His lips curled into an ugly, malicious grin. “That monster’s mind is completely gone! He's a certified psycho—he tore his last bride into bloody ribbons on their wedding night. You trying to commit suicide or something?”