"My wedding is in two days. I still need to go try on my jeweled crown. If you'll excuse me."
As she stood, she let her robe fall open just enough to reveal the jade pendant at her waist.
Chester's jade pendant. He told me once that his mother left it to him, the only thing he had of hers. And he had given it to Shelagh.
She was nearly at the door when she paused, as though something had just occurred to her. "Oh, one more thing. Chester transferred this property into my name. I hear you're fond of the simple country life, so by all means, keep living here. Just remember, it's my house now. My rules."
My whole body went rigid. When Chester burned down our cottage, he told me he bought this place for me. Told me I could fill the yard with fruit trees and vegetable gardens.
He never intended to give me anything. Not from the very beginning.
"Shelagh."
I called after her, my voice scraped hollow.
"Miss Fox, have you ever heard of Princess Stella Henson?"
Shelagh froze for a beat. "What, are you going to tell me that reclusive princess has something to do with you?"
I forced a bitter smile. "I heard the Princess adores colored sky lanterns. If we could make her smile and convince her to attend your wedding, wouldn't that bring honor to the occasion?"
Shelagh eyed me with suspicion. "How would a worthless wretch like you know what the Princess likes?"
"Believe it or don't. If it turns out to be false, it's no loss to you either way, Miss Fox."
After Shelagh left, I curled into the corner of the bed, my body burning with fever, my lower abdomen seized with stabbing pain. No one came.
Looking back now, meeting Chester Delgado was the single greatest regret of my life.
Through the haze of unconsciousness, I caught a blurred glimpse of rainbow-colored lanterns drifting past the window.
Only then did I let out a breath and smile.
Long ago, my father and I had made a pact: whenever colored sky lanterns were lit, it meant I was in danger, and someone would come to take me away.
At some point, Chester appeared. He sat at the edge of my bed for a long time.
When he saw me open my eyes, he touched my forehead. "The fever's broken. Come on, sit up and have some porridge."
I struggled upright. "Shelagh came. She forced an entire bowl of that sterilizing concoction down my throat. Did you know?"
Chester's expression faltered for a moment. He lowered his gaze. "I knew."
"You knew?"