or the first time. "Damn," she thought, smirking slightly. "This girl is so beautiful." Th

blindness at first glance. Long, inky lashes curled like the wings of a raven, effortlessly putting social media starlets to shame. Heart-shaped lips, freckles dusted like soft kisses from the sun, and three birt

standard of

o herself. "A chick this stunnin

n in the pale gray of her irises. Her fingers grazed the curve of her cheek as if to test whether the reflection would ripple like a dream. In her past life, she had loathed mirro

w beauty like this could

his girl's st

e of the Windsor estate. She was born from his second marriage, not to some noble lady, but to I

ne illegal under the strict marriage laws of nobility. Royals marrying commoners was strictly prohibited-it threatened the sanctity of their purebred bloodlines. But Theodore, ever cunning and fueled by genuine

e to save his own pride. Either

d cruel things behind velvet fans-accusations of seduction, gold-digging, even adultery. Iris endured it with her chin held high-unti

the child. But doubt had taken root. Whispers of paternity echoed so loudly that even Theodore began to quest

came to see them, his doubt shattered. October was the spitting image of him. May bo

th girls into his care. He promised better li

at made me feel like nothing," she had told him. "

tried to sway the girls with sweetened promises. May, tempted by luxury,

er st

sy breakfasts, out-of-tune piano chords, and laughter that did

irt on her cheeks from playing near the old fountain. A group of neighborhood boys had teased her freckles, saying they

had shouted, shoving one of the bo

rnt cheeks, bits of twig in their hair. She kissed them both and set them at

ken. There had been warmth

g her emotionally and financially shattered. With no options left, she reluctantly reached out

ickly bec

istanced herself-subtly, but painfully. October learned to smile with her mouth and not her eyes, learne

ng her fingers across her ch

The pain, the isolation, the quiet strength. She recogniz

door snapped her o

ying a glass of water and a small w

th a polite smile. She took the pill

like it's pois

on," October replied

e served soon. You should leave

Of course. Almost

ry dust from her dress. But

with portraits of ancestors who'd scoff at her very existence-made her stomach twist. The dining hall would be worse. Eyes watching

ghtened. She

you mind escorting me down? I just... don'

questions asked. "

ther, October on a si

th so deep it s

'd used in meetings back in her old life-before bosses who forgot her nam

eet the n