At the mention of his wife, Kade contemplated everything. He turned to Sebastian, who was waiting for an answer. The man always behaved like he had no other life except being an advisor.

  "Go and find yourself a wife," Kade said, shooing off his advisor.

  Kade decided the patrol of the training grounds can wait until later.

  Sebastian's mouth grew wide open in disbelief. Then, he grumbled under his breath about his employer worrying too much about his personal life. He complained the entire way out of the private study.

  What was the point of a wife when he couldn't even marry his books? Literature was far more interesting than a female's conversation, in his opinion.

  "Speak," Kade demanded from Priscilla.

  Priscilla nearly rolled her eyes. Oh, so now he wanted to hear her talk? What happened to ignoring her? Did his entire life revolve around his wife or something? It seemed like that. She wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing.

  "Before I tell you what the Princess thinks of you," Priscilla began. "You must tell me what you think of me."

  Priscilla crossed her arms and observed him. The temperature in the air dipped. Suddenly, she was cold. She rubbed the goosebumps that speckled her upper arm. What was going on? She could've sworn that Ritan's climate was much more agreeable than this.

  It was only then that Priscilla saw Kade's darkened expression. His presence took up the entire room. His silhouette was ominous and intimidating. If his looks could kill, she'd be long dead.

  "I'm a busy man," Kade seethed. "I don't have time for your games."

  Priscilla was hurt. Just a few days ago, he was treating her well. Now that he was back with his wife, he stopped caring for her. She thought they actually had a connection.

  "Why are you being so rude nowadays? You were smiling at me just a few days ago—"

  "It was pretend play."

  Priscilla flinched at his harsh words. When he took the flower petal off her hand and playfully smiled in her direction, it didn't feel fake. It felt genuine. She frowned to herself. Was this man that manipulative?

  "I thought we actually had something," Priscilla muttered. "Don't tell me that day under the peach blossom was fake?"

  "You only intrigued me because you resembled my wife," Kade said, matter of fact. "Don't push your luck."

  Priscilla wished he had just stabbed her instead. His words hurt. Did he not realize that?

  Priscilla peered up at him, squinting due to his height. She did like her men tall. She used to say she was so short, that taller guys always looked handsome to her. Why? Because she couldn't see their faces clearly.

  "I—"

  "Now, tell me what my wife thinks of me," Kade demanded.

  Kade knew he hadn't mispredicted their relationship. When did they get close? He preferred Lina to be friends with someone sensible. Not women like Priscilla and Isabelle.

  His dear wife was naive and these women would only corrupt her. She needed someone mature and wise to guide her as a friend.

  "I lied," Priscilla suddenly said, pressing her lips together.

  Kade stalked towards her. His face was twisted with irritation. The audacity of this woman. Roughly, he grabbed her by the collar of her clothes. He yanked her forward.

  A warning.

  "Consider this a promise. The next time you waste my time, I'll have your tongue," Kade threatened.

  Priscilla could see death's doors. Her eyes watered at the realization of what a horrible man he was. He didn't lay a hand on her, but his words might as well have.

  Kade briefly glanced down at her face, noticing the bizarre color on her lips.

  "And wipe the rouge off of your mouth. Servants aren't allowed this luxury," Kade stated, just to destroy any lingering hope she had of him.

  Kade had seen many concubines like her. They were desperate for power. They'd do anything to get it, even poking the lion's den.

  Priscilla refused. She stared him in the eye, hatred all over her face. Kade let out a small breath, almost in disbelief.

  His next movement was abrupt ashe whipped out a handkerchief, seized her shoulder to keep her in place, and wiped the lipstick off of her mouth, smearing it in the process.

  Priscilla struggled in his hold, but his grip was tight. Suddenly, she saw something shift in the distance.

  To Priscilla's surprise, the doors were being slid open. Their heads snapped to the entrance in unison.

  "Lina."

  Lina stood at the doorway of the private study, dumbfounded. She noticed their intimate position. Kade was practically embracing Priscilla. He had one hand on her shoulder and was standing incredibly close. Then, she saw the red lip stain wiped against Priscilla's face.

  It was smeared.

  Lina's heart fell.

  "Well, this is a pleasant surprise," Lina sarcastically muttered.

  Lina stepped back, almost like she didn't want to believe the scenario in front of her.

  "Don't misunderstand, dove," Kade said in a hard voice. "I'm just wiping the lip stain off her mouth."

  Lina stared at the handkerchief in his hand. It was plausible. Their proximity rubbed her up the wrong way. Memories from a few days ago resurfaced. Kade was drinking tea, smiling towards Priscilla, and swiping the petals off of her.

  Lina's mouth tasted sour. Her heart was bitter. Her chest felt heavy. She wasn't certain if she was being replaced or abandoned. Maybe both. A part of her died again.

  Trust.

  "Alright," Lina said in an aloof voice.

  Kade narrowed his eyes. He dropped his hand and the cloth from his fingers. Immediately, he approached his woman. She was shutting off her emotions. He could see the light quickly fleeing her eyes.

  "Dove—"

  "I'd like a sword," Lina suddenly stated.

  "Dove of mine—"

  "A sharp one that can cut off a head," Lina added.

  "Lina—"

  "I want it by tomorrow," Lina insisted.

  Kade stared at her for a long moment. She never broke eye-contact, but that wasn't the point. With each passing day she spent in this palace, she was losing her innocence.

  Kade was suddenly reminded of the high-spirited Princess from the tournament. Her feistiness , her na?veté , and her arrogance, where did it all go?

  Was Kade her ruin? Did he turn a proud Princess into a pitiful lady?

  "We'll get you the finest of swords before the sun sets, my sweet wife," Kade promised, grabbing her hands.

  Lina was aloof. She gazed at his fingers that curled around hers. She didn't feel the same flutter in her stomach. Instead, she was distracted by the uncomfortable churning in her belly. She felt sick to her bones.

  Lina wanted to complain. He said it'd be a while before he chose a concubine. He gave her his word! Now, he was getting closer to a woman more beautiful than her.

  "Alright," Lina said in a detached tone.

  Priscilla was everything Lina wasn't. Priscilla was tall, skinny, and curvy. She was blessed in the chest and the buttocks. Her hair was always shiny and healthy. Her eyes were always filled with light.

  In Lina's mind, she dulled in comparison as she mentally compared herself to this blond beauty; her own hair was dark , her eyes black and boring, her skin ghastly and her frame petite.

  Lina knew no man could deny Priscilla's beauty.? No man could resist her striking feminine features. Kade wasn't like other men, but when it came to Priscilla …. No.

  Lina swallowed. She tried not to think of it. With the lip stain, she knew Priscilla was out to get her. She controlled her expression, for it'd be detrimental if Priscilla knew she had the upper hand.

  "Princess," Priscilla finally greeted.

  Priscilla had observed the exchange carefully, trying to determine if she managed to affect Lina. She had witnessed the displeasure on the Princess' face. With another push, this could've been a grand misunderstanding. Priscilla wished the timing wasn't so horrible.

  "Get out," Kade finally said to Priscilla, deciding the next conversation needed to be private.

  Priscilla didn't need to be told twice. She pushed past him, tears in her eyes, and envy in her heart. She was hurt by Kade's treatment towards her, but jealous of his behavior towards his wife.

  Once Priscilla was gone, Kade gave his wife's hands a tug.

  "Lina," Kade emphasized.

  Kade knew something was amiss. "What's wrong, dove? Did something happen during your training?"

  Lina's eyes burned. She stared towards the ground, feeling pricks in her vision. She refused to cry. He'd only pity her. She pulled her hands away and shook her head.

  "I'm just tired," Lina mumbled.

  "Lie better."

  "I'm not lying—"

  "You are."

  Kade slid a hand behind her lower back and brought her closer. He cupped her face with his free hand. He pressed a chaste kiss on her forehead.

  "Tell me what's on your mind, dove," Kade gently urged, lowering his tone just for her.

  Lina's heart skipped. She felt like an idiot. He'd break her heart a thousand times, but it'd forgive him a thousand and one times.

  "Are you certain you won't find another concubine soon?" Lina asked.

  Her voice cracked towards the end.

  Lina looked away, hoping for something to distract her mind. If she looked at him any longer, she might cry. If she saw his tender expression, her heart would sting.

  Her breathing grew heavy the longer she tried to control herself.

  "Of course. Why would I need a mistress when you said I can make love to you like one?" Kade mused, attempting to lighten the atmosphere.

  "Because—" Lina cut herself off.

  Lina didn't want to be like the Empress of Teran. She didn't want to come off as annoying and obsessive over her husband. It made her Father hate the Empress. Thus, she clamped her mouth shut.

  "Because… I…" Lina was unable to lie to him. She was also unable to utter the truth.

  With nothing else to do, Lina could only hug him. She wrapped her arms tight around his stomach, burying her face into his chest. All she wanted was his comfort. His reassurance.

  "My sweet, sweet wife," Kade softly sighed.

  Kade embraced her back, his hand stroking her hair. He couldn't understand the cause of her distress, but knew it was from witnessing the scene previously.

  "I only have one heart, my sweet dove, and you possess it. No one else." Kade tightened his hold on her. He crashed her body against his. He bent his head and kissed her hair.

  "This, I promise you," he swore.

  Lina's chest was suddenly warm again. She could only hide her face in his strong body. She hoped he was a man of his word.

  "And you have mine," Lina admitted.

  "Then, that is all that matters."