Poisoned Crown

On the day Prince Adrian and I were married, his first love, who had grown up with him, slipped a drug into my bridal toast, one that would destroy my ability to bear children. When she was found out, all she did was cry and say. I was only joking, I didn't know your bride would really drink it, Your Highness. It was my fault, your highness. I am willing to make amends to her if she can never have children because of this. Then I am willing to stay by your side. Any children I bear in the future be given to her to raise. Adrian tried to persuade me. Clara, you are my lawful wife. You should at least preserve some dignity Now you won't have to bear children yourself Rosalie can do that for you. What is there to be dissatisfied with From then on. I became a Princess Consort who could never bear children anymore. Rosalie and Adrian lived in deep affection at Westcott House, and one after another she bore him two sons and two daughters. From then on, all of Greyford knew only Rosalie, who was constantly at Adrian's side; hardly anyone remembered who his lawful wife was. I was trapped in the depths of the estate and eventually wasted away in misery. Adrian and Rosalie stood by my bed with a cup of medicine in hand, smiling softly. Clara, you've occupied the place of his lawful wife long enough. If not for the army your father and brother command, helping His High Mace win the position of Crown Prince, who would have tolerated you sitting in that place? Clara, the day after tomorrow my father will formally name me Crown Prince. The future Crown Princess can only be Rosalia. If you were still alive, what would become of her? They forced poison down my throat and I died on the very day Adrian was formally named Crown Prince When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day of the. wedding May your Highness and the bride share the wedding toast. Mrs. Hargraves called out loudly in the bridal suite. I looked at the goblet before me; Rosalie had truly been in a hurry. She hadn't even wiped the powder clean from the rim. A trace of coldness flashed through my eyes. Without changing expression, I picked up Prince Adrian's goblet and slid mine in front of him. Then, with the bashfulness expected of a bride, "Your Highness, I want us to switch cups. "I've heard that if newlyweds drink from each other's cups, it is a sign of long lasting good fortune.

I immediately let out a cry, my face going deathly pale. Who are you? Why did you drug my wine? The others looked at one another. Someone stepped forward to admonish her. Miss Bennett, even if you did grow up with His Highness, today is still his wedding day. How could you dare joke about drugging someone? Exactly! Why insist on ruining their wedding night? Adrian rose to his feet and drew Rosier protectively behind him, then frowned at me. Clara. This is Rosalie, the daughter of my former wet nurse. She grew up with me; she's only been spoiled a little. You needn't mind it. Then he turned to Rosalie with a dark look. What are you doing here? I told you today is the wedding, no mischief, how dare you make this kind of joke. ignoring the excessive intimacy between the two of them, I only pressed coldly Miss Bennet, you had better explain yourself at once. What exactly did you put in my wine? Only then did my maid finally react. She hurriedly cried out, "Quick! Fetch the royal physician! " Rosalie only clutched Adrian's sleeve and sobbed. "Your Highness, I didn't mean it; I truly didn't. "On my way to Westcott House, I passed an apothecary and saw someone selling the sort of drug that destroys a woman's fertility. I thought it novel and bought a little. impulse. I only wanted to scare her on your wedding day so she would obediently listen to you in the future. I had meant to come in and stop her before she drank that wedding toast, but I tripped outside just now and was a moment too late. I never thought she would. Really drink it.

I clutched at my chest and sank down beside the table. A drug that destroys a woman's fertility? This wedding toast was bestowed by the king himself, and you dare temper with it! What nerve! Someone, drag her away! Rosali screamed and threw herself into Adrian's arms, her face wet with tears. I didn't mean it. I truly didn't. Besides, there's no telling whether that drug is even real. What if it doesn't work at all? Is she really going to have me executed over a bottle of medicine of unknown origin. Adrian held her protectively and looked at me. Clara, Rosalie is still young, she only wanted to play a joke, she never wanted things to turn out like this. Don't worry, you are the lawful wife I married before all the world. Even if that drug truly ruined your body, I would not cast you aside because of it. This place will still be yours. Rosalie looked at me with reddened eyes, then suddenly dropped to her knees and wept. "It's all my fault. Whatever I say now, it's too late. I beg your forgiveness. If she can never have children because of this, I am willing to stay by His Highness' side. Any children I bear in the future can be given to her to raise, to make up for my wrongdoing. ". How amusing, it really was the exact same speech as in my previous life. Unfortunately, this time I would not be so foolish again. If you destroy my ability to bear children, you are effectively harming the future royal bloodline of succession. That is a capital offense. You have a great deal of nerve!

Mrs Hargraves immediately chimed in with a smile. That's right. To share each other's cups means that from this day forward your fates are bound together. Only then can your union truly last. Adrian lifted the goblet, and together we drained that wedding toast. The relatives and guests nearby immediately began cheering and calling out before the goblets had even been lowered. Someone pushed open the door from outside; the newcomer gave a cocky laugh. Oh my, how did you finish that wedding toast so quickly? It was Rosalie. She was dressed like a married lady, mature and alluring. The moment she saw my empty goblet, she covered her mouth in feigned surprise and tears instantly welled in her eyes. Then she looked at Adrian in apparent. panic"Your Highness, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it. I only wanted to play a little joke on your bride. Everyone likes teasing the newlyweds at a wedding. I only put a little something in her wine. "

Adrian immediately pulled her to her feet and frowned at me. Enough, Rosalie has already admitted her fault. Besides, she didn't do it on purpose. This is a wedding day. Are you really going to have her executed over some drug of unknown origin? You should at least show the grace befitting my lawful wife. He spoke with complete righteousness, as though I were the one being unreasonable. If you keep clutching at this and refusing to let go, how are you fit to sit in this position? Looking at his utterly unconcerned expression, I found it ridiculous. He had been the same in my previous life, forever saying I lacked dignity and was too petty. Thinking of what had happened to me in my previous life, I clenched my hands so tightly that my nails bit into my palms, then pointed at Rosalie and said sharply, "Someone plots against me with a drug that destroys my ability to bear children. "And your Highness thinks simply letting her off is fair to me after being plotted against by the daughter of a former wet nurse, where is the honor of the House of Ashford supposed to go? Things have already come to this. What more do you want? Don't tell me you really mean to execute her; she didn't do it intentionally. The commotion in the bridal suite grew so loud that the guests outside soon learned of it. The queen sent her personal ladyinwaiter to smooth things over. Miss Ashford, Her Majesty says this is no trivial matter. Miss Rosier's wrongdoing will naturally be punished. But today is, after all, your wedding to His Highness. This must not turn into a public scandal. What is implicated is the reputation of the entire royal house. How convenient. It's easy to say let it go when the blade isn't falling on your own flesh. I lifted my face and looked at Adrian. Does Your Highness truly think that tampering with the wine is only a minor matter?