Chapter 4
“Orion,” I said, voice steady, “give me back my dowry.”
“I never agreed to marry you.”
Perhaps sensing that I wasn’t lying, Orion’s brows furrowed. Just as he was about to lose his temper, he caught sight of the trinkets cluttering my writing desk. He relaxed slightly.
“Claire, I know you’re upset, trying to provoke me.
“But I know you still care about me. Otherwise, why would you keep all the little things I gave you?!
Under his confident gaze, I walked slowly to the desk
Then, without hesitation, I scooped up a handful of the keepsakes, raised my arm, and hurled them out the window.
“Claire! What are you doing?” he shouted.
They landed with a series of splashes in the pond below. Each one sounded like a slap across Orion’s face.
“Claire! Those were gifts from me–how could you treat them like garbage?”
“Well, well, well!” He said in a furious tone, then stormed out of the room
collapsed to the floor, shunned and heartbroken, wiping away tears in silence.
Father… your daughter had failed you. I couldn’t even protect the dowry you gave me.
On the day of the wedding, Alice had me dressed and ready at dawn.
Outside, there was the sound of celebration. Orion sat tall on horseback, looking dashing in his formal suit
He looked down at me arrogantly. “Didn’t you say you wouldn’t marry me? And yet here you are, waiting obediently for me to fetch you.”
His gaze fell on the opulent crown on my head. His expression darkened,
*That’s not the crown a
assigned to you as my wife.”
“Claire, how dare you! Just to outshine Serena, you went and brelos palace protocol?”
*Change her attire!®
Two servants care at his command, gripping my arms tightly-
Shame and fury burned in me “Let me go!” I cried.
But no one listened Orion even stepped forward himself and reached to snatch the crown from my head “Stop!”
As the sound of a familiar voice, 1 looked up.
Before Orion could react, a figure stepped between us and seized his wrist, forcefully shoving him back
Caught off guard, Orion stumbled several stops and nearly fell.
The world sjan around me, but then I felt Howan’s mis catch and steady in
Orion pointed at Howan, furious “How dare you! Let go of my fiancée”
Rowan stood tall, calm and composed. “With all due respect, Your Highness, Princess Claire and I are betrothed by royal decree. Are you planning to dety thur king and steal las climmerison–in–law’s bride?”
Orion’s face twisted with rage, “So this was your plan to wit my favor calling in someone to stage a scene like this?”
“Don’t think this will make me care about you!” he started. “This is your last chanke–tell him yourself. Who is it peached out and took Rowan’s rough, calloused hand, raising it high for Orion to see. My lips curled into a mocking smile.
you’re really marrying?”
“As you can see
Orion, I’ve told you more than once the man end to marry is not you.”
Orign shook his head in disbelief, backing away as though the ground beneath him had given out. Had the servants not caught him, he might have fallen.
Chapter 4
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“No… Impossible. You were going to marry me. Everyone knows you love me..!
His head buzzed with confusion, everything spinning.
Still unwilling to accept it, he shoved past the servants and lunged toward me.
But a thunderous voice from behind stopped him in his tracks.
“You disgrace! You were so determined to marry the Waverly girl, and now you’re making a scene in front of Claire? What are you playing
Orion turned and froze at the glimpse of deep violet fabric. His lips parted, but no words came.
When he finally spoke, it was through gritted teeth, finger jabbing at Rowan.
*Father, you said Claire’s husband would be heir to the throne. Rowan’s no royal–blooded prince! He can’t-”
“What if I say he can?”
