Chapter 2

After shattering the enemy capital and capturing their royal family, I rode back to Veridia's Royal City at a breakneck pace.

Luna, who should have been waiting on the city walls, was nowhere to be seen.

I rode straight to the Thorne Dukedom.

Three years ago, the Thorne Dukedom had fallen on hard times. The legitimate daughter of the prominent Li family, Seraphina—Sera—who was supposed to marry Lord Elias Thorne, the Heir, suddenly backed out.

Luna, the overlooked, unofficial daughter of the Li family, was swapped in as the replacement bride, pushed into the Dukedom.

Thankfully, over time, the two fell deeply in love.

Elias even swore an oath of eternal devotion to Luna in my presence, promising her a lifetime of undivided love.

Upon entering the Dukedom, I walked directly to Luna's courtyard.

The plum trees Luna adored had all been replaced by peach trees.

As I stood there, bewildered, a woman emerged from the rooms.

At first glance, I nearly mistook her for Luna.

Only because she was wearing one of Luna's specially designed dresses – a matching friendship dress that only Luna and I owned.

Luna had called them 'best friend dresses.'

On her head was the white jade hair comb I had given Luna for her birthday.

Luna cherished it dearly, never daring to wear it.

Now, these precious items adorned a stranger.

A terrible premonition coiled in my gut. I stepped forward, grabbing the woman's arm.

"Who are you? Why are you in Luna's courtyard?"

A maid beside the woman rushed forward, shoving me away.

"Watch your tongue! This is the Lady of the Dukedom!"

The Old Lord Thorne was dead. Elias had no brothers. I couldn't fathom how the Dukedom had gained another Lady.

My gaze turned to ice, fixed on the mistress and servant before me.

"If you are the Lady of the Dukedom, then who is Luna Blackwood?"

The woman faltered, but her maid put her hands on her hips and snarled, "Is that vixen sending you? To harm our Lady?"

"She truly is a venomous witch! Someone! Seize this woman! Break her legs and toss her out to keep that hussy company!"

No sooner had the words left her mouth than two matrons rushed out of the courtyard, reaching for me.

I kicked one to the ground, and a cry of pain echoed through the courtyard.

"You wretch! Still dare to fight? Do you have a death wish?"

The maid beside the woman, puffed with indignation, lunged at me, hand raised to strike.

I backhanded her. She spat blood and crumpled to the ground.

More maids and matrons swarmed into the courtyard.

The woman's expression instantly shifted. She fell to her knees beside her maid, tears welling in her eyes.

"I know Luna always hated me. You're her accomplice, here to avenge her."

"Every fault, every mistake is mine. Strike me if you must, but don't hurt anyone else."

"If hurting me will ease Luna's pain, if it will make her humble herself and apologize to Lord Elias, then I would gladly die."

I turned my head, watching the flock of servants point and whisper, and sneered.

Such a pathetic display. I’d seen these tricks countless times in the palace since I was a child.

My face remained cold as I stepped forward, slapping the woman across the face.

I knelt, grabbing her chin. "Luna. Where is she?"

Her maid shrieked, clawing at my face.

"You wench! My Lady is cherished by Lord Elias! If you harm her, he will ensure you meet a gruesome end!"

The maid's attack was vicious, clearly aiming to tear my face apart.

I instinctively raised my arm to block, and two bloody scratches appeared on the back of my hand.