My parents, Harvey and Heather, had truly fallen. Not even in my wildest dreams had I imagined that my timid and cautious father would one day take part in treason.


    My father and elder brother were executed, while my mother was imprisoned. I wasn''t implicated in the scandal, as the whole capital knew they had long since severed ties with me.


    I used to swear that if they ever came to ruin, I wouldn''t lift a finger to help them. But blood ties weren''t so easily broken. Even if I couldn''t forgive them in my heart, the pain was still there. I couldn''t eat or sleep in peace.


    I went to Cari and pleaded to be allowed to send in some food and clothing at the right time. When my mother saw me, she wept bitterly and begged me to help her escape. I still couldn''t break the habit of crying too easily, but my heart had hardened.


    "When I was miserably trapped in the Langley family''s mess, I begged you for help. You told me even a muddy pit has air to breathe, and that I ought to stay where I was. Now, I return your words to you-so long as you can breathe and live, it is enough."


    Having said that, I turned and walked away. My mother cried after me, shouting her apologies, but I didn''t look back.


    When the new king took the throne, a general amnesty was issued. Samuel, who had been sentenced to exile for ten years, was allowed to return to the capital six months early.


    Even though I was a divorced woman, I was still the Duchess of Everpeace, so many came to propose marriage. But I no longer had any thoughts of marrying again. As I spent my days moving between Skye Embroidery and Gracewood Women''s Academy, my life was full and free.


    Though I turned down all the suitors, there were always people worrying over my marriage-none more enthusiastic than Mrs. Murray, the prime minister''s wife.


    Two years ago, a new top schr was named: Lucien ude, aged thirty-two. As an only child who had lost both parents, he had dyed both marriage and taking the national examination out of mourning. He held a post at the Academy of Wisdom and was known to be kind, steady, and devoted.


    Mrs. Murray admired him and hade more than once to speak on his behalf. I lost count of how many times I refused, but she simply wouldn''t give up.


    "He''s the top schr of the year. Surely it wouldn''t be hard for him to marry a youngdy in the prime of her youth. Why should he marry a divorced woman like me? Besides, even if you mean well by matchmaking, perhaps Mr. ude doesn''t truly wish it. Maybe he would rather find a youngerdy, and only agreed because you kept pressing him," I said helplessly.


    I truly disliked reminding others that I was a divorced woman, but Mrs. Murray was so persistent that it became hard to ignore. Regardless, what said was the truth. I had seen Mr. ude before. Though already thirty-two, he was refined and charming, with striking, elegant features.


    Also, as a top schr, he was held in high regard by the king himself. With such status, he could marry any noble youngdy he wanted. I suspected he simply didn''t know how to turn down Mrs. Murray.


    When Mrs. Murray heard what I said, she quickly assured me, "Your Grace, ever since he met you, he has been quite taken and hasn''t thought of anyone else. He begged me to act as a matchmaker. Why not meet him once more?"


    But I wouldn''t agree and quickly found an excuse to see her out.


    I thought that would be the end of it-until the day I returned from the workshop


    and saw someone waiting near the gate.


    At first, I didn''t recognize him. He


    was thin and tan, wearing fine clothes that sat awkwardly on him like a scrawny monkey dressed silks. The sight was almostughable. Then, he called my name in a familiar manner, though his voice was rough and unfamiliar. I looked at him more closely and finally realized who he was.


    It was Samuel.


    Before I could call for someone to send him away, he stepped forward in a sh


    and grabbed my hand.


    "I know you never forgot me and have been waiting for me. Everything that happened before was all my fault. I''ve thought about it over the years. From now on, we''ll


    start fresh. I swear I won''t let you


    down again," he said, his eyes full of


    intensity.


    I was so stunned that I forgot to pull my hand away. I just stood there, wondering if


    I had misheard. How could he have the nerve to say such a thing?!


    "Outrageous!" someone barked before I could respond.


    A figure stepped forward and struck Samuel''s hand away.


    His words were sharp with authority as he coldly snapped, "What scoundrel dares<py hands on the duchess?"