Chapter 2

The messenger unrolls the decree.

“Duke Ashbourne, I’m afraid you misunderstand.”

“This betrothal is for Ivy Reed.”

By morning, the whole capital knows Adrian chose Ivy over me.

For years, everyone assumed I would become his wife.

Now they have a different story.

Maybe Adrian never wanted me at all.

“So Prince Adrian never wanted Serena at all?”

“Apparently not. He chose Ivy the moment marriage became real.”

“How embarrassing.”

Yesterday, everyone expected me to become Adrian’s wife.

Today, I’m the woman everyone thinks he finally escaped.

Before breakfast, ten carriages of gifts arrive at Ashbourne Estate for Ivy.

My father watches the servants unload them, his face tight.

“I don’t know what happened between you and Adrian,” he says, “but this will only get worse. Do you want to leave the capital for a while?”

I set down my pen.

“No. Leaving now will only make it look like I’m hiding.”

He sighs.

“I should never have brought Ivy into this house.”

The door opens.

Ivy stands there.

“You sent me away as a child. Now Adrian chooses me, and suddenly you regret bringing me back?”

My father says nothing.

Ivy lifts her chin.

“I may not have Serena’s blood or title. But I’ll prove I’m the daughter you should be proud of.”

She turns and storms out.

A servant follows her and later reports that she went straight to Adrian.

Let her go. I have a disaster to stop.

“Father,” I say, “there will be a major earthquake in the western provinces.”

He goes still.

“When?”

“Soon.”

“I’ll warn the King.”

I stop him.

“Adrian will do that himself.”

My father looks confused.

“He still wants the throne. He won’t waste a chance to look like a hero.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Prepare for what comes after. Ready grain, medicine, tents, and wagons. When the quake hits, people will need help immediately.”

He studies me for a long moment.

Then he nods.

Days later, the earth shakes.

Just as I knew it would.

Adrian is ready.

But when the court praises Adrian for acting so quickly, he reaches for Ivy’s hand.

“Don’t thank me.”

He looks at her with pride.

“Ivy warned me.”

Just like that, a disaster I saw coming becomes proof that she is the Seer.

Within days, the capital has a story.

Ivy Reed is the true Seer.

The High Priest’s old prophecy spreads again. Nobles who once ignored her now compete for invitations to see her.

People who mocked my broken betrothal now compare us openly.

“Ivy can see the future. What does Serena have?”

“A famous name and a pretty face.”

“Neither was enough to keep Prince Adrian.”

I let them talk.

While Adrian and Ivy enjoy the attention, Ashbourne wagons reach the disaster zone before most royal relief does.

Food.

Tents.

Medicine.

Clean water.

We do not put my name on any of it.

That evening, Ivy finds me alone in the library.

She presses her hand over the letter I’m writing.

“You’re very calm, Sister.”

I look up.

“Should I not be?”

“I’m about to marry Adrian. Everyone believes I’m the Seer. And you still sit here like none of it matters.”

“It doesn’t.”

Her smile disappears.

“Still pretending you’re above me?”

She raises her hand.

I catch her wrist before she can slap me.

The library door opens.

Adrian stands there.

He crosses the room at once and pulls Ivy behind him.

“Serena.”

His voice sharpens.

“I warned you. Hurt Ivy again, and whatever mercy I offered you is gone.”

I release her wrist.

“She tried to hit me.”

Adrian does not even look at me.

“Ivy wouldn’t do that without a reason.”