00:00On the day Prince Adrian and I were married, his first love, who had grown up with him,
00:07slipped a drug into my bridal toast, one that would destroy my ability to bear children.
00:13When she was found out, all she did was cry and say,
00:20I was only joking, I didn't know your bride would really drink it, your highness.
00:27It was my fault, your highness. I am willing to make amends to her.
00:31If she can never have children because of this, then I am willing to stay by your side.
00:36Any children I bear in the future be given to her to raise.
00:41Adrian tried to persuade me.
00:43Clara, you are my lawful wife. You should at least preserve some dignity.
00:48Now you won't have to bear children yourself. Rosalie can do that for you.
00:54What is there to be dissatisfied with?
00:56From then on, I became a princess concede who could never bear children anymore.
01:02Rosalie and Adrian lived in deep affection at Westcott House.
01:06And one after another, she bore him two sons and two daughters.
01:10From then on, all of Greyford knew only Rosalie, who was constantly at Adrian's side.
01:16Hardly anyone remembered who his lawful wife was.
01:19I was trapped in the depths of the estate and eventually wasted away in misery.
01:24Adrian and Rosalie stood by my bed with a cup of medicine in hand, smiling softly.
01:32Clara, you've occupied the place of his lawful wife long enough.
01:35If not for the army your father and brother command,
01:38helping his high mace win the position of crown princess,
01:41who would have tolerated you sitting in that place?
01:44Clara, the day after tomorrow, my father will formally name me crown prince.
01:49The future crown princess can only be Rosalie.
01:52If you were still alive, what would become of her?
01:58They forced poison down my throat, and I died on the very day Adrian was formally named crown prince.
02:04When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day of the wedding.
02:08May your highness and the bride share the wedding toast.
02:12Mrs. Hargraves called out loudly in the bridal suite.
02:15I looked at the goblet before me.
02:18Rosalie had truly been in a hurry.
02:20She hadn't even wiped the powder clean from the rim.
02:22A trace of coldness flashed through my eyes.
02:25Without changing expression, I picked up Prince Adrian's goblet and slid mine in front of him.
02:31Then, with the bashfulness expected of a bride,
02:34Your highness, I want us to switch cups.
02:37I've heard that if newlyweds drink from each other's cups, it is a sign of long-lasting good fortune.
02:42Mrs. Hargraves immediately chimed in with a smile.
02:46That's right.
02:47To share each other's cups means that from this day forward, your fates are bound together.
02:53Only then can your union truly last.
02:59Adrian lifted the goblet, and together we drained that wedding toast.
03:03The relatives and guests nearby immediately began cheering and calling out.
03:07Before the goblets had even been lowered, someone pushed open the door from outside.
03:12The newcomer gave a cochlear-ish laugh.
03:14Oh my, how did you finish that wedding toast so quickly?
03:18It was Rosalie.
03:19She was dressed like a married lady, mature and alluring.
03:25The moment she saw my empty goblet, she covered her mouth in feigned surprise,
03:30and tears instantly welled in her eyes.
03:33Then she looked at Adrian in apparent panic.
03:35Your highness, I'm sorry.
03:37I didn't mean it.
03:38I only wanted to play a little joke on your bride.
03:41Everyone likes teasing the newlyweds at a wedding.
03:44I only put a little something in her wine.
03:49I immediately let out a cry, my face going deathly pale.
03:54Who are you?
03:55Why did you drug my wine?
03:57The others looked at one another.
03:59Someone stepped forward to admonish her.
04:01Miss Bennett, even if you did grow up with his highness, today is still his wedding day.
04:06How could you dare joke about drugging someone?
04:08Exactly.
04:09Why insist on ruining their wedding night?
04:11Adrian rose to his feet and drew Rosier protectively behind him, then frowned at me.
04:15Clara, this is Rosalie, the daughter of my former wetmaider.
04:18She grew up with me.
04:19She's only been spoiled a little.
04:21You needn't mind it.
04:22Then he turned to Rosalie with a dark look.
04:24What are you doing here?
04:26I told you today is the wedding.
04:28No mischief.
04:28How dare you make this kind of joke?
04:31Ignoring the excessive intimacy between the two of them, I only pressed coldly.
04:35Miss Bennett, you had better explain yourself at once.
04:39What exactly did you put in my wine?
04:43Only then did my maid finally reacted.
04:46She hurrously cried out.
04:47Quick, fetch the royal physician!
04:50Rosalie only clatched Adrian's sleeve and sobbed.
04:52Your highness, I didn't mean it.
04:53I truly didn't.
04:56On my way to Westcott House, I passed an apothetry and saw someone selling the sort of drug that destroys
05:03a woman's fertility.
05:04I thought it novel and bought a little impulse.
05:07I only wanted to scare her on your wedding day so she would obediently listen to you in the future.
05:14I had meant to come in and stop her before she drank that wedding toast, but I tripped outside just
05:20now and was a moment too late.
05:22I never thought she would really drink it.
05:27I clutched at my chest and sank down beside the table.
05:30A drug that destroys a woman's fertility?
05:33This wedding toast was bestowed by the king himself and you dare temper with it?
05:38What nerve?
05:40Someone, drag her away!
05:42Rosalie screamed and threw herself into Adrian's harms, her face wet with tears.
05:46I didn't mean it.
05:47I truly didn't.
05:49Besides, there's no telling whether that drug is even real.
05:55What if it doesn't work at all?
06:01Is she really going to have me executed over a bottle of medicine of unknown origin?
06:06Adrian held her protectively and looked at me.
06:09Claire?
Comments