Hearing the servant’s words, a spark of light ignited in Isabelle’s eyes.
“Father, Mother, did you hear? I met General Kaelen once! He must have been captivated by me and has come to ask for my hand!”
Lady Sylvia brightened as well. Her methods had been right after all; men truly preferred a girl as innocent, charming, and lively as
her Isabelle.
My father frowned. As a Duke and a minister of the crown, he was not a fool like them. General Kaelen was a war hero of immense
renown. Even if Isabelle were pristine, he might not have considered her, let alone now, with her reputation in tatters.
The Duke ordered Isabelle and her mother to continue kneeling in the chapel. He then asked my mother and me to join him in the
grand hall.
Isabelle feigned agreement, but fearing her supposed match would be stolen, she had her mother create a diversion while she
climbed out a window.
In the grand hall, my parents were speaking with the General. I hid behind a screen, listening.
In this life or the last, I knew very little of this General Kaelen. I only knew he was born of common stock, a fierce warrior, and a
confidant of the King. In my previous life, he never married. Some said he had no interest in women; others whispered he harbored
a secret, unrequited love.
My thoughts were interrupted by the General’s firm, resolute voice.
“Your Grace, my Lady Duchess, I have long admired your daughter, the Lady Eleonora. I have come today to formally ask for her
hand. I pray you will grant me this honor.”
Before I could even process his words, a wild–eyed figure burst through the doorway.
“General Kaelen, surely you’ve made a mistake! The woman you wish to marry is me, Isabelle, is it not?”
Chapter 2
9
General Kaelen looked at Isabelle, and an aura of cold, lethal stillness emanated from him.
“My eyes have not yet grown so dim with age, my lady. I would advise you to choose your words with care.”
Isabelle flinched, terrified by his sheer presence, but she brazenly pressed on. “No, I don’t believe it! Why would you choose the prim
and proper Eleonora over someone as vibrant and alive as me?”
“Because you are not worthy of a single strand of her hair.”
General Kaelen’s rejection was swift and absolute, leaving Isabelle no room for fantasy.
Fearing she would say something even more unforgivable, my father had her dragged away. As she was pulled from the room, her
eyes blazed with fury and disbelief.
After the General left, my mother asked for my opinion.
“Daughter, what do you think of General Kaelen? For him to come here now, braving the scandal, shows he is a man of integrity.”
04:49
Chapter 2
*Daughter, what do you think of General Kaelen? For him to come here now, braving the scandal, shows he is a man of integrity.” “The General’s parents passed long ago, and he has no troublesome relatives. Your life with him would be peaceful and free.” Since my coming of age, many had come to propose, and I had politely refused them all. But times had changed. After Isabelle’s
tempting. disgrace, General Kaelen was my best option. And I had to admit, his offer was
Not wanting my mother to worry about my future any longer, I made my decision.
“Mother, I am willing to marry him.”
My mother nodded, her face alight with relief. “Good, good. I will begin preparing your dowry at once. I will ensure you are married
in splendor.”
“Thank you, Mother.”
In my past life, though my mother had disapproved of Josh, she had still prepared a dowry of sixty–four carriages, fearing I would suffer in his household. It was that immense fortune that had paved Josh’s path to success.
General Kaelen had already built his own great fortune. A life with him would surely be much easier.
