Chapter 7 My blood ran cold . " Lord Edmund ? Me ? " I shoved Alistair back. You better take that back " ] You know damn well what you're implying - and how serious it is . " ] " It's damn serious ! That's the point , " he snapped . [ ] The ones who pretend to be saints ? " ] They're always the most dangerous . " ] " He stuck you in that isolated guesthouse , alone , unprotected . " ] " You think he doesn't have a reason ? " [ ] Alistair scoffed and spat on the ground . [ ] But what if - what if he was right ? ] What if I'd just walked straight into another trap ? I had no family . No backup . No safety net in Luminara . [ ] My fingers brushed against the pendant still clipped to my belt . ] Leopold . Maybe maybe he really meant it . [ ] I had no other options . [ ] So I played it cool , distracted Alistair with a fake excuse , then bolted with the pendant in hand . [ ] When I reached the palace gates and showed the ivory charm , the guards didn't even ask questions . They bowed - and let me in . I expected to wait . Maybe get walked in by a servant . ] ] But instead , a damn gilded carriage rolled up for me . [ ] Fancier than anything I'd ever ridden before . I hesitated , nervous - but stepped inside . { When we reached the East Wing , palace attendants helped me change into an elaborate blush - pink gown threaded with silver . ] I hadn't even finished processing when Leopold strolled in , waved the staff out , and tucked an elegant camellia hairpin into my hair . [] " I'm glad you came , " he said . [] " Your Highness .. " I dropped to my knees . " About the whole proposal thing- " ] " No need , " he interrupted gently . [] " I know you're not here because of that . " [ ] " And I didn't call you here to pressure you . " [ ] " I need your help . " Maids returned and began styling my hair . [ ] I caught sight of myself in the mirror . [ ] I barely recognized the woman staring back ] Sharp , seductive eyes . Arched brows . [ A mysterious beauty I never saw in myself before . ] They Chase Blond Over Love Now They Cry at My GRAVE 14.08 Chapter 7 " What's going on ? " I asked . ] Leopold smiled slightly . " If you want to be free of the Heartfords , " he said , " do exactly as I say . " [ ] My heart thudded in my chest . ] He unrolled a blueprint and pointed to a place on the map . " Your new identity is ready . " ] " You're a renowned musician from the South - someone with a talent no one can fake . " " They say Evelyn Heartford was a master of the pipa . You won't disappoint . " [ ] I gave him a small nod . [ ] Still confused , but willing . Leopold saw the storm behind my eyes and tapped my forehead with a finger . " You'll understand soon . Everything you suffered these past three years - it wasn't for nothing . " My suffering ? I always thought the Heartfords ' cruelty was random . Just bad luck . [ ] But now Now I wasn't so sure . No more panic . No more fear . If there's a bigger truth out there - then I'm damn well going to uncover it . [] An hour later , I was sent to the Secretary of Defense's estate . There was a grand reception underway - lavish beyond anything I'd seen , even by royal standards . ] Something felt … off . Then I saw them . Lord Richard Heartford . [ ] Lord Edmund . Both there . I kept my veil low , walking quietly past . [ ] But then I heard them speaking . " How is that girl still alive ? " Richard muttered . ] He turned to the Secretary , all politeness . " We weren't expecting the Crown Prince to intervene like that . " " Originally , Edmund's plan was to tuck her away in the guesthouse …. and handle it quietly . " " Handle it ? " The Secretary sneered . [] " You sure that wasn't just a cover to hide her away like some private mistress ? " ] Edmund dropped to his knees in a panic . " No , sir ! I swear - I didn't do anything ! " ] " She vanished after talking to Prince Leopold - I don't know what he said to her , but it wasn't me ! " ] ] The Secretary let out a furious snort and kicked Edmund to the floor . " She's just like her mother . That woman was a headache too . " ] Chapter 7 " We should've taken care of both of them back then . My mother ? My real mother ? My hand trembled - and the ring slipped off my finger , clinking softly against the floor