- de. We would strike before they even knew what was happening. We would embrace our roles. Understand the villain. Become the villain. Surpass
the villain. We would solve this problem the way villains do
12:33
“Cassia, my father said, his eyes burning with intensity. “Once you are in that palace, do not play the part of the meek, forgiving wife. Be as wicked as you can be. We don’t have much time, so make every moment count.”
“That’s right,” Damian chimed in. “If he gives you any trouble, just hit him. You might not be a warrior, but surely you can handle that pampered Prince, can’t you?”
A room full of master villains, all looking at me as if I were a fragile little flower. A fire lit within me. “I’ll try,” I said, a grin spreading across my face. “I think I can manage.”
Honestly, being a villain might be bad for one’s public image, but damn, it felt good.
On the day of the wedding, two grand carriages proceeded to the Prince’s residence. My dowry was an extravagant procession of one hundred and twenty–eight chests, overflowing with silks, jewels, and gold. My mother fussed at the sidelines, trying to cram even more into them. “Oh, the Prince’s palace is a den of vipers. My sweet girl has never known such hardship.”
By contrast, Trista’s dowry was pitiful. A few pieces of jewelry, barely enough to fill thirty–two small chests. As our carriages rolled through the city, merchants and commoners alike chattered.
“Now that’s a dowry fit for a princess. She must be impossibly rich.”
“Compared to that, the other one’s dowry is just embarrassing. So shabby.”
We were helped from our carriages at the same time. Through the delicate silk of my fan, I saw Trista’s face twist with envy. Her expression soft- ened only when we entered the palace and the Crown Prince, Alaric, immediately took her hand.
“Don’t worry,” he murmured to her, loud enough for me to hear. “Now that you’re here, I won’t let anyone make you suffer.”
They looked like a pair of blissful newlyweds. I was just the third wheel, an awkward, overdressed obstacle. Still, during the ceremony, protocol dictated that I take precedence. The Prince had to show me respect, at least in public.
In private, of course, it was another story. That night, Prince Alaric didn’t even bother stopping by my chambers. He walked straight to the west wing, to the rooms prepared for his beloved Trista.
My personal matron, Lyra, was wringing her hands. “Your Highness, this is an outrage! A breach of all decorum! If the Prince doesn’t spend his wedding night with you, what will the servants think tomorrow? That woman in the west wing will be walking all over you!”
Matron Lyra had always been blunt and fiery back at our estate, which was precisely why Mother had sent her with me. She was here to make
sure I wasn’t bullied.
“She’s not some common wench I can drag out by the hair, Matron. Am I supposed to go catch them in the act? You worry too much, that’s why
you’re getting wrinkles. Let’s all get some rest. We have a big day tomorrow. The Crown Prince spurning his bride on their wedding night? We have
to make sure the entire city hears about it.”
I pulled off my heavy veil and wiped away my makeup. Even from my chambers in the east wing, I could hear the celebrations in the west wing.
The Prince had even set off fireworks for Trista. He had finally married the woman of his dreams. I was just the collateral damage in their great
love story.
The sky outside was lit up, and servants scurried back and forth to the west wing with pitchers of hot water. One didn’t need much imagination to
guess what was happening. Meanwhile, I stretched out on the massive, empty bed and drifted off to sleep.
What was the point of confronting him tonight? The Prince’s palace was crawling with his spies. Making a scene would just be another mark agai-
nst the “evil villainess,” making him feel even more protective of the “wronged” Trista. It would gain me nothing but his anger.
Since he wouldn’t give me face, I had no intention of giving him any either. This scandal needed to be public. The next morning, before the sun was up, I had my maids dress me and apply makeup that made my eyes look red–rimmed and swollen from a night of weeping.
“Let’s go, let’s go,” I chirped. “Time to go tattle.” As the city awoke, I went straight to the Royal Palace.
