Chapter 3 I wiped my tears and dropped to my knees before Lord Edmund . ] ] Thank you , my Lord " ] That unfamiliar title made him flinch But unlike Alistair , he didn't explode in anger . ] ] He said nothing at all ] That was always Lord Edmund's way - quiet , composed , unreadable . ] As a child , I used to tease him for being made of stone . ] He'd only smile , pat my head , and offer me my favorite plum tarts . ] But the day Seraphina came home , he broke down ] Fifteen years I'd known him , and I'd never seen him cry until then . ] And when the Queen nearly died from that almond tart He , the Royal Magistrate known for his brilliant judgment , immediately blamed me . ]] He didn't even hesitate . ] Didn't ask a single question . ] Just looked at me like I was a stranger and said , " You've lived in Seraphina's place long enough . It's time you did something for the family . " Then he bound my hands himself and sent me to the military camp to serve penance . No matter how I cried or begged . [ ] No matter how desperately I reminded him of our bond ] He didn't budge . I was such a fool For a second , I'd truly believed the uncle who used to spoil me had come back But he wasn't mine anymore . ] He was hers . Seraphina's . ] After thanking him once more , I lifted the carriage curtain and sat beside the coachman . That was where a disgraced servant belonged . ] The coachman , a long - time servant of the Heartford estate , recognized me . ] He glanced over , startled , then sighed . [ ] And urged the horses to move faster . Lord Edmund dropped me off at a small estate just outside the main manor . ] A perfect view of the Heartford estate - especially fitting for a wedding . As I stepped down , he turned as if to say something . But I knelt again , bowing deeply Thank you again , my Lord , for your mercy . " If it had been the first time , he might've thought I was just lashing out . ] But after I bowed a second time , his breath caught ever so slightly . Becny Tory Fry at My GRAVE 105N " You should come home for dinner tonight , " he said suddenly ! " Your father , mother , and grandmother they all miss you His voice was softer now , not the cold indifference from earlier I nodded woodenly " Whatever you think is best , my Lord Just as he turned to speak again , a cheerful voice called out behind us ) " Sister ! You're finally home - why are you still outside ? ] Seraphina came strolling up , wrapped in white fox for , smiling like springtime ( ) Behind her was Alistair , arms full of shopping bags Alistair used to hate shopping . Said it was beneath him to buy " girlish things . " But when I wanted to go , he came along anyway- [ ] sating upstairs in the tearoom , watching , me run around the market from above ) He never carried my things . Never walked beside me like this . [ ] I lowered my gaze ( ) Seraphina was clearly showing off But I didn't flinch . I didn't even blink ] " You must've misspoken , " I said calmly " I'm no one's sister . I'm just a servant . " [ ] Then I bent down again to curtsy ] arm . ] Before my knees could hit the ground , someone caught my arm . 1 looked up - and froze . ] It was Crown Prince Leopold [ ] They Chase Bloud Over Love Now Thus C » My OBAVE