Chapter 2: Exiled From My Own Wedding

I slung my bag over my shoulder and stepped out of the Crown Prince's residence. The guards at the gate exchanged awkward looks, then forced smiles. "Your Highness, heading to the charity shelter again?"

The charity shelter…

For years, Sebastian and I never missed a weekend at the shelter, no matter the weather. It was our little tradition.

Sometimes we brought bags of clothes; other times, we just spent the day playing with the kids who had nowhere else to go.

But as time went on, Sebastian’s schedule filled up.

He was always busy—duties for the king, meetings with officials, endless demands that pulled him away.

Eventually, he stopped coming with me at all.

I understood, I really did. Now that Sebastian was the Crown Prince, his life was a whirlwind of responsibility. There just wasn’t space for the shelter—or, maybe, for me.

I smiled and nodded. "I'll be staying a few days this time. Don’t worry about coming to find me."

The ladies at court were probably celebrating, crossing their fingers that I wouldn’t do anything to spoil this perfect royal match.

The Crown Prince’s residence sat so close to the palace that if I listened hard enough, I could almost hear the faint peal of bells, the strains of music drifting over the stone walls, mingling with laughter and the distant echo of a festival.

If I strained my ears, I could almost catch an old saying: 'It takes years to end up in the same boat, a lifetime to share the same pillow.'

The whole city felt alive, pulsing with celebration.

I hadn’t gone far when a wave of cheers erupted outside the palace gates.

I turned back, curiosity getting the better of me.

High on a distant balcony, I saw the newlyweds in their scarlet wedding finery, tossing candies and coins to the crowd below, their smiles lighting up the night.

And then, for just a second, Sebastian looked my way.

The palace gates shimmered with light. I rubbed my eyes, trying to make out his face through the glow.

But all I could see was him, grinning as he held his new bride close.

Just like the night we were married—he’d smiled at me the same way.

Except our ceremony had been nothing like this—no grand celebration, no crowd, just the two of us against the world.

Back then, Sebastian was the rebellious fifth prince, marrying a girl who had no family or status.

Now, as Crown Prince, he was taking a noble daughter from Newport as his consort.

Memories flickered through my mind—hazy, uncertain, like scenes from a dream I could barely recall.

The sky darkened, the air heavy with the promise of rain.

Vendors along the street packed up early, eager to join the festivities at the palace gate.

I slipped into the charity shelter, the alley outside quiet as a secret.