Chapter 5 I expected Alistair to object ] Seraphina wouldn't be able to stand me outranking her , even if I'd just clawed my way out of disgrace . [ ] But Lord Edmund [ ] That surprised me Marrying into the royal family would raise the Heartfords ' standing . And he was nothing if not practical . ] Then he did something rd never seen before . [ ] He dropped to his knees right next to the Crown Prince . ] " Your Majesty , " he said to the Queen . [ ] " Evelyn is just a servant from our household . " [ ] " She isn't fit to marry into the royal family . " [ ] " I beg Your forgiveness for this misunderstanding . " [] He bowed so low his forehead hit the floor . [ ] But I didn't even flinch at his words . ] His so - called ' shame ' wasn't about protecting the royal family . [ ] He was just worried Seraphina would look bad - losing out to someone like me . 0 Then the Crown Prince spoke again . [ ] His voice was quiet , but carried weight . ] " Lord Edmund , " he said . [ ] " I think you're forgetting your place . " [ ] " Since when do you speak on behalf of the Heartford estate ? " ] " Is Lord Richard not present ? Is your grandmother not capable of voicing her own will ? " ] Lord Edmund turned ghost - white . [ ] Before he could respond , Lord Richard stood . [ ] " Enough , " he said . [ ] " Edmund , stand down . " ] " If Crown Prince Leopold has chosen Evelyn , then that is a blessing for her - and for our family . " [ ] " But- Lord Edmund started to argue . [ ] Lord Richard cut him off with just a glance . [ ] Edmund sat back in his chair , biting his tongue . [] He looked at me from behind the curtain . But that look - that wasn't the look of an uncle watching over his niece . [ ] It was darker . Hungrier Predatory I looked away . Whatever feelings I had before - 1 shut them down They Chase Blood Over Love Now They Cry at My GRAVE . 22.76 Chapter 5 There was nothing familial between us anymore . No blood ties . No childhood memories . Nothing . Queen Eleanor's voice cut through the tension like a breeze . " Let's not take things so seriously . It's a celebration , after all . " ]] " Save the politics for another day . " ]] The Crown Prince didn't press further . He simply returned to his seat . But the room couldn't stop whispering . Everyone knew I wasn't a real Heartford . And no one expected the Crown Prince to propose to a girl like me . ] I tried to block them out . ] Eventually , I slipped outside for some air . ] But as soon as I stepped past the doorway , someone grabbed me . ] I gasped , about to scream- Then a hand clamped over my mouth . Alistair . Just like when we were kids - dragging me into corners at fancy parties to whisper secrets . ] But this wasn't childhood anymore . I pushed him back and curtsied , keeping a careful distance . " Is there something you need , Your Highness ? " ] " Evelyn , " he said , voice tight with emotion . [ ] He stepped forward and pulled me into his arms . " Evelyn , I know you're angry with me . I was wrong , I messed up . " [ ] " But please don't marry my brother . " [ ] " I was going to follow the family's plan . " ] " Marry Seraphina officially … then bring you into the household as a second wife . " ] " Please , Evelyn . Don't do this . " ] I was too weak to fight him off. ] And if someone saw us like this … ] It would ruin us both . Before I could react , someone shouted behind us . " Prince Alistair ! Let her go ! " ]] Then a pale sleeve caught Alistair by the shoulder and yanked him away from me . ] Lord Edmund . He looked me over quickly , made sure I was unharmed . [ ] Then turned on Alistair with barely concealed fury . [] " You disgrace yourself , " he snarled . [] They Chase Blood Over Love Now They Cry at My GRAVE 1268 Chapter 5 " You're engaged to Seraphina . Have you no shame ? " ] Alistair didn't back down . He scoffed . ] " And you ? You've got no right to talk about shame . " [ ] " Of all people here , you're the last one who should bring up morality . " [ ] 12.9 %