The Sovereign Consort: From Discarded Wife To Ruling Queen

sed in a blu

icine by my bedside, and whispered among themselves about the Cro

g. I ate enough to keep my streng

yal riding clothes and smelled faintly of sweet lilac perfu

e smile he had worn for years, the smile which once made me believe I was loved

ning reports from my family's estates. The Crown's grain stores need fresh supplies b

llow and pulled out a f

had nothing t

e. Under the laws of our kingdom, once the Crown Prince and Crown Princess signed the decree, their marriage

"You should not trouble yourself with trade matters while y

into the inkpot on the bedside table. Before the tip t

g with a small silver tray. A folded note

ion, Your Highness," the guard

ehind his body, but he moved too slowly. I saw t

ienne McCray's

ed to know why another woman's message mattered more than his gr

ith tired eyes and gen

Highness," I whispered. "The grain ships cannot

face tightened, and for a moment

end to," Corin replied, his voice growing sharp.

placed the parchment firmly on

id quietly, keeping my eyes on his

, he signed his name at the bottom of the parchment. He

me before turning toward the door. "You have become far too demanding lately, Aurelia. Such beh

ess," I replied,

e stone hallway wi

behind the thick curtains near the window. He took the s

shock. "The Crown Prince has officially ended the marriage and given up a

m and cold. "Have him register it in the royal vault before sunset. Cor

y Lady." Julia

ried into the room and curtsied. She carr

," she said nervously. "A page fro

ed with disgust when he saw the contents. Inside lay several small

d Julian passed the bo

owed Corin and V

duchy. The portrait even had dates on them, dated months ago, during t

uet hall. Corin kissed her neck while

a handwritten note. The

d pay for his army. Now his throne is secure, and I have returned to claim what was always mine. Consider your de

d at th

ll. The pain inside me had gone beyond grief. Whatever lo

it back inside the box, an

loading shifts," I ordered. "We leav