I stood up, my chest heaving like I’d just run a marathon.
Outside, wind rattled the windows. Tree branches scraped against glass with soft, sinister sounds.
I began pacing the room.
If this is true… that war was Melissa’s attack on Caelan’s territory? And Caelan secretly participated, then killed Isabella? Why did he do that?
A fleeing Rogue actually witnessed Caelan with the bloody weapon… that means there was an eyewitness. But is that witness still alive?
The implications crashed over me in waves.
Sable has always believed her mother died heroically protecting their territory. If she learns the truth-that the man she loves murdered her mother in cold blood…
But if I tell her this, she’ll leave Caelan and come back to me.
No. This is too cruel. Even if I want her back, I can’t destroy her like this.
But what if it’s the truth? What if she has a right to know the man she’s planning to marry is her mother’s murderer?
I collapsed into the chair again and poured another whiskey.
I read the email again, searching for any hint that this might be fabricated.
But why would Lucian lie now? He’s dead-what benefit would false information serve him?
Unless… this is his final revenge. One last way to cause maximum damage from beyond the grave.
The whiskey burned down my throat, but it did nothing to quiet the storm in my head.
Sable’s POV
A Month Later
The sound of car doors closing echoed through the air. I peered through the bridal suite window, watching our guests arrive at the castle grounds. A month had passed since our engagement, and today-our wedding day-had finally arrived.
“Rodrigo and Victoria are here,” I announced to Mary, who was adding final touches to my hair.
My father stepped out of his car wearing a deep navy formal suit, a white rose boutonniere pinned to his lapel. His eyes held that telltale shimmer of unshed tears, but his posture remained dignified and strong. Victoria emerged gracefully beside him, her arm linked through his. She wore an elegant lavender silk dress that caught the afternoon sunlight beautifully.
In her hands was a small velvet box-the pearl necklace she’d mentioned wanting to give me.
“Look at Sable today, so happy,” Rodrigo whispered, his hand touching the boutonniere. “I think Isabella would be proud of her. She finally found a man willing to protect her with his life.”
Victoria gently patted his arm. “Isabella has been watching over Sable all along. I believe she’s smiling right now.”
Rodrigo took a deep breath, fighting to control his emotions. “I just want everything to be perfect today. This is my daughter’s most important day.”
Before he could compose himself further, a blur of yellow came racing across the garden.
“Sabelate!” Daisy called out, practically bouncing as she ran. She wore a sunshine-yellow flower girl dress covered in tiny sequins, carrying a wicker basket filled with white and pink rose petals. Her cheeks were flushed with excitement. “You’re really going to become a real princess today!”
She skidded to a stop in front of Caelan, who was adjusting his cufflinks near the garden entrance. Tilting her head back to look up at him, she asked with adorable seriousness, “Caelan, when my sister becomes queen, can I call her ‘Your Majesty’? Or should I still say Queen Sable’?”
Caelan crouched down to her eye level, his expression softening completely. “She’ll always be your Sable, Daisy.”
Daisy nodded thoughtfully, then her eyes lit up with sudden inspiration. “Wait! Does that mean I’m a princess now? Because I’m the queen’s sister!”
Victoria clapped her hands together. “Our little princess is absolutely right!”
But the peaceful moment was about to be shattered. Two figures approached the gathering, and I could already sense the brewing storm.
Scarlett strutted forward first, with Elena following her. She wore a wine-colored satin dress with a gold belt that emphasized her curves, radiating confidence and battle-ready energy. Without hesitation, she pointed dramatically at Daisy and Elena.
“Alright, everyone back off!” She planted one hand on her hip. “As Sable’s chief best friend, I’m claiming exclusive companionship rights for today!”
She grabbed my hand possessively. “Babe, remember what you promised me-at least two meetings per week after you’re married! Plus regular girls’ nights!”
Elena glided forward in her pale blue chiffon dress, her movements elegant and purposeful. “Scarlett, don’t be so possessive. Sable is a queen now-she needs time with friends who truly understand her…” She paused, eyes twinkling mischievously, “Friends like me.”
But Daisy wasn’t about to be outdone. She crossed her arms over her chest, looking absolutely fierce despite her tiny stature. “You all have to wait in line! I’m Sabelate’s real sister-blood relation is the most important!”
She tugged on my dress hem. “And my sister promised to teach me painting and baking!”
The “war” escalated quickly.
Scarlett threw her head back defiantly. “Blood relation means nothing! Sable and I are soulmates connected at the heart!”
Elena adjusted her imaginary glasses with scholarly precision. “From a psychological perspective, adult friendships often run deeper than blood ties…”
Daisy interrupted with an indignant huff. “I don’t care about psychology! Sabelate loves me most anyway!”
I raised both hands in surrender. “Okay, okay! I love all of you. There’s enough time for everyone!”
All three voices chorused back: “No way-we need a proper ranking system!”
From the sidelines, Caelan watched with an amused smile. “Looks like I’ll be competing with quite a few rivals.”
Leon couldn’t resist adding commentary. “This is better than any palace drama!”
But the entertainment wasn’t over yet, Chris approached with a champagne flute, his charcoal suit impeccable and his smile perfect -though his eyes held complex emotions.
“Congratulations, Caelan.” Chris paused, letting his gaze linger meaningfully. “You know, Sable mentioned you…”
Caelan’s eyebrow arched slightly. “Oh? What did she say?”
Chris adopted a casual tone. She mentioned that you two had broken up.”
Caelan’s voice dropped to a dangerous low. “Chris, Sable and I were never truly broken up. Whatever gave you that impression is ancient history.”
Chris pressed on, testing boundaries. “Of course. It’s just that when we had lunch that day, she seemed rather… lonely.”
Caelan’s eyes turned razor-sharp. “That loneliness ends today. Forever.”
Chris raised his glass with a practiced smile. “Well then… here’s to your happiness.”
Meanwhile, another drama was unfolding nearby. Peter stood nervously adjusting his black tie, working up the courage to approach Scarlett, who was still engaged in her “custody battle” over me.
He slipped a white rose to Scarlett, his cheeks tinged pink. “Scarlett, this is… for you.”
Scarlett accepted the flower without looking back, her voice cool and distracted. “Thanks. Don’t interrupt me right now-I’m fighting for Sable’s companionship rights…”
She suddenly realized who had spoken and whirled around, her expression shifting to wariness. “Peter? What are you trying to pull now?”
Peter stepped closer. “Scarlett, I know you’ve been avoiding me, but on a day like today, I wanted to try one more time…”
Scarlett frowned, her voice guarded. “Peter, we agreed not to complicate things between us.”
Peter refused to back down. “But my feelings for you are real. It didn’t start because of that night-it started long before…”
Scarlett cut him off, though her tone softened slightly. “Look, it’s Sable’s wedding day. Let’s not argue about this here.”
Leon muttered under his breath nearby, “Scarlett, give the poor guy a chance. He’s been going crazy over you.”
Katherine gently touched Leon’s shoulder. “Leon, don’t interfere. Let them work it out themselves.”
Peter clenched his fists. “Fine. I’ll keep waiting until you’re ready to consider what we could have.”
Scarlett stared at the white rose in her hand, her expression unreadable.
The wedding march began to play, and all conversations ceased. Every guest rose and turned toward the garden path entrance.
I emerged wearing my custom white wedding dress, layers of fabric flowing like clouds around me. The bodice and sleeves were adorned with delicate pearls, a silk sash cinched at my waist, and the long train featured intricate golden thread embroidery. On my head sat an elegant small crown, and around my neck, my mother’s blue sapphire necklace gleamed.
Rodrigo walked beside me in his formal navy tailcoat, each step measured and strong despite the tears threatening to spill from his eyes.
“Nervous, sweetheart?” he whispered as we walked.
“A little, but mostly just happy. Would Mom be proud of me?”
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