Chapter 6 Right after he said it , Lord Edmund - usually the picture of calm - rolled up his sleeves and punched Alistair square in the jaw . [ ] I rushed in between them . [ ] " Have you both lost your minds ? This is the palace ! " [ ] The second they heard my voice , they froze mid - fight . ] Maybe it reminded them of who I used to be three years ago . They both turned toward me , their eyes burning . [] I backed off again . This time , I gave only the barest nod and left without another word . [ ] But just as I turned the corner to head back inside , I smacked right into someone's chest - solid , broad . ] " You always did run fast , " he said . " Still the same as before . " Lknew that voice - it was Crown Prince Leopold . [] But something about it felt eerily familiar . [ ] Like I'd heard it before , but couldn't place when . [] I moved to curtsy out of habit , but he grabbed my arm gently . ne . " 0 " I already told you , " he said , " you saved my life . You never have to bow to me . " Saved his life ? What ? When the hell did I become his savior ? Before I could say a word , he reached into his coat and clipped a warm ivory pendant to my belt . " If you ever need anything - anything at all - show this at the palace gates . I'll come . " ] I stood there stunned . ] And he just smiled , gave a little salute , and strolled away like nothing had happened . [ ] Right before he disappeared into the light pouring in from the windows , he turned back . " Hey - just to be clear , " he shouted . " That promise I made to marry you ? Still stands . " ] " I never go back on my word . " [] Then he laughed - loud and carefree - and vanished through the doors . For a split second , it felt like I was back in that camp three years ago . I'd just joined the military unit , fresh out of my old life . I'd never faced real hardship before , but we marched hundreds of miles , and my feet were bleeding within days . [ ] The officers didn't cut me any slack . I was just another mouth to order around . [ ] One day , we had to get supplies to the front line - dangerous terrain , live fire . No one volunteered . ] So they picked me . ] Expendable . Invisible . But I knew the troops needed that food . So I went . That was my first time hearing gunfire up close - smoke , screams , pure chaos . ] I didn't know where the strength came from , but I made it . ] UNCRAVE 1329 Chapter 6 1 got the supply carts through . And then I just disappeared into the mess . No one noticed . No one cared But somehow - he noticed ? ] Even when I was nothing ? Even when I wasn't supposed to matter ? ] Not once in those three years did anyone look at me with kindness . Even after I proved myself , they kept me buried under grunt work . So no , I couldn't believe him . I wouldn't believe him ] By the time I got back to the dining hall , the banquet was over . [ ] I rode back to the Heartford estate in silence . I knew I wasn't welcome inside . ] So I went around back , toward the guest house Lord Edmund had set up for me . [ ] But before I could reach the door , Alistair stepped out of the shadows and blocked my way . ] " You can't stay in Lord Edmund's guesthouse , " he said . I narrowed my eyes . " Why not ? " ] ] " You seriously don't get it ? After what he said back at the palace ? " ] The guy's not looking at you like a niece anymore . " [] I blinked . " What are you talking about ? " Alistair's voice dropped , full of fire . ] ] " Ever since he found out you're not really a Heartford , Edmund's intentions changed . " ]] That man doesn't see you as family . Not anymore . " ] ] They Chase Blood Over Love Now They Cry of My GRAVE