The Prince carried me to my room, followed by what I assume is the majority of the staff. They were moving like magic, gathering all my things and moving them to my new room.

"will I be far from my ladies?" I asked the Prince, and I watched the sudden movement.

"I have made arrangements to move Faith onto the royal wing so that she stays near you, but the rest of your ladies will stay in the nobility suits. you are to be nearest to me all night long."

"I don't know, your highness, that may not be the best idea" I tried to hedge the topic, but I had no desire to hear him during his romantic times with Cora.

"I assure you all will be well, and if you need me, I will be right there" queen Rachel walked over to us on my bed as the last of the servants left.

"I thought you might want this" Rachel placed a silk bag in his hand. He nodded to her, and she left.

"This was my grandmother's, gifted to her by my great grandfather." he pulled out a beautiful Amethyst necklace "this was one of her favorite pieces, and a war was fought over her because of this necklace. since then, it has been a good luck charm for our family."

"It is beautiful," I said. he slipped the necklace on me and smiled

"now it will protect you" he hefted me into his arms. He was opposed to me walking anywhere. And we made our way to my new room. The room was gorgeous, with a door to a sitting area and large wardrobes for all my dresses. There was a door on the other side of the sitting room opposite mine, and I knew that door led to the Prince's chamber. Nema was waiting for me in the room.

"Your Highnesses," she Curstied at us as the Prince put me down

"I will let you get comfortable" the Prince left the room through his door. I got a glimpse of his room, a bigger bed, but for the most part, it was the same, almost as if he had moved in here recently.

"I am happy you are finally in the marriage suit," Nema gushed.

"wait, marriage suit. What do you mean" I stood and walked around the room using the wall for support

"After the marriage, he moved into the marriage suit. It is designed to be used by the Prince and his wife, but he told the staff not to move you, so you stayed in the nobility suits while this room remained empty" She was busying herself with hanging my dresses while keeping a watchful eye on me.

"was it empty, or was she..." I didn't want to finish that sentence, and I didn't want to be in another woman's room, sleeping in another woman's bed that she may have shared with him.

"The Prince tried to move Cora in, but the King put his foot down. It was either his wife or no one," Nema explained, and I was truly relieved this room was mine and mine alone.

"do you know where they are putting Faith?" I asked, thinking maybe I could see her talk about everything.

"I think that is a splendid idea. Let's find her. "Nema was at my side instantly as we made our way towards Faith's room. Unfortunately, we were met with the true viper in the palace.

"You!" Cora made her way to where I stood. Nema cringed at her tone. that was all it took for me to remember who I was and who I needed to protect. I slid Nema behind me, I may not be strong on my feet, but I was strong enough. Cora's face was not a tear or a bit of redness; her eyes were not puffy but stone cold as they met mine. "you wretch, you lied to me. I was supposed to be his wife. I was supposed to carry his child; I was supposed to be a princess."

"I had no intention of hurting you, or marrying the prince was not a decision that I made" the crack of a hand meeting a cheek drew open the doors of the wing. the young princes and princesses swung their doors open to see what was the matter

"do not speak of intentions to me. You are a lying whore. You must have drugged him to sleep with you. That is the only thing that could have tempted him to your bed since your assets do you no service in that regard." she was screaming, drawing more doors open to her wailing. "you lying selfish cow, you have stolen my life for now as you callously chase what and who was never yours. Mark me whore; he will come crawling back to me. He always does. I am the one he truly wants. He loves me."

"enough," the King bellowed, but it was too late. The retort was already leaving my mouth.

"yet you have not said that you love him, whereas I can, I love my husband" everyone froze, even the kings. "call me all the names you will, but what I have said will not change" with that, I marched down the halls as solid and steady as I ever was.