Scorned by Family, Crowned by Decree

After our coming-of-age presentation, everyone at Hemsworth Hall discussed my twin sister's marriage prospects. My brother pointed to the first name in the kingdom's registry of noble houses. "The heir to House Bellamy is the only man worthy of our Lydia." Our childhood friend, a young marquess, blushed as he offered her his formal proposal. "Ignore your brother. Marry me, and we can spend our lives beside the person who has known us since childhood." Our parents smiled in agreement. "Lydia may marry whomever she chooses, as long as she can remain in the capital." Only much later did they remember that I had also reached marriageable age. "Rosalind, you have neither Lydia's beauty nor her accomplishments. A respectable man without a title will do." My brother answered without even looking up. "That way, everyone can remain near the capital and gather during the holidays." My childhood friend gave a contemptuous laugh. "Once you marry, you can't keep acting on every whim. If you disgrace yourself in public, you'll shame more than the Hemsworth name." Inside my sleeve, my fingers slowly closed around the royal marriage charter. Since no one cared whom I married, I would accept the King's decree. Chapter 1 When we staged plays as children at Hemsworth Hall, my sister was always the noble heiress everyone rushed to rescue. My brother played the sword-bearing guard who would die for her, while the young marquess became the heroic commander who fought through every obstacle. I was always cast as the wicked enchantress everyone despised. Apparently, nothing changed when we grew up. Since no one cared whom I married, I would accept the King's decree and become the wife of the man who would one day rule the kingdom. When I remained silent, my childhood friend, Edmund Ashford, urged me to answer. "You're no longer young, and you have no reputation to recommend you. "Any respectable man without a title who agrees to marry you is already doing so out of respect for the Hemsworth name. "Choose one quickly and stop delaying." I bit my lip in humiliation, my heart aching with injustice. Under the laws of Alderwyn, the woman who placed first in the Royal Women's Service Examination could, if she wished, receive a marriage charter from the King appointing her Crown Princess. During last month's examination, I finally stopped concealing my abilities and took first place. The result was written plainly beneath the royal seal and posted by the Ministry of State. Yet not one person at Hemsworth Hall had looked at the list. The moment Lydia Hemsworth left the examination hall, she dissolved into beautiful, trembling tears. "I feel as though my essay was terrible..." Our parents said the examination did not matter and promised they could pay respected patrons to praise her accomplishments. My brother waved the matter away. "What are you worried about? My salary can support you for the rest of your life." Edmund comforted her softly. "Lydia, even at your worst, you still performed better than Rose." But I had learned to read at three and could recite poetry by five. I could memorize the same essay after reading it three times. Lydia still stumbled through it after studying for two weeks. "Why does Rosalind learn everything so quickly while I can't learn anything? Am I stupid?" She cried so desperately that she refused food and water for the entire day. Mother held her and soothed her for half the night before turning on me with a cold rebuke. "Lydia's already miserable because she can't understand the lesson! "Must you flaunt how much better you are? Are you trying to drive her to despair?" Father scolded me with an equally dark expression. "The tallest tree is always the first struck by lightning. There's no need for you to stand out so much." My brother went further and took away my schoolwork. "Once the tutor finishes the lesson, go outside. Stop hovering where Lydia can see you. You're irritating." At six years old, I learned that intelligence could also be a crime. From then on, I pretended to be slow. When the tutor questioned me, I deliberately gave the wrong answer. During written examinations, I deliberately worked too slowly. At poetry salons and formal dinners, I remained silent in the farthest corner. Whenever I did, my parents nodded with satisfaction. "Rosalind is quiet and undemanding. At least she causes us no trouble." As we grew older, society knew only that the younger Hemsworth daughter was dazzling, graceful, and brilliantly accomplished. The sons of noble houses nearly wore a path through our gates seeking Lydia's hand. I was the elder Hemsworth daughter, yet no one came for me. Chapter 2 Watching Edmund's ears turn faintly red, I could not stop myself from asking, "Didn't you once say that an honorable man should carry a sword, earn glory on the frontier, and drive the northern raiders beyond our borders? "Why is marriage all you think about now?" Edmund froze, apparently surprised that I had asked. "The northern frontier is bitterly cold, and a blade can't distinguish one life from another. A respected post in the capital is far safer. "Besides, Lydia's delicate. She could never endure the wind and dust of a border province. "Since I've decided to ask for her hand, naturally I must remain in the capital beside her." Yet Edmund had once pointed toward the northern sky with all the passion of youth. "One day I'll lead the royal cavalry through Frostgate Pass and make certain no raider ever threatens Alderwyn again!" Back then, his eyes had held stars, mountains, and endless battlefields. Now the sword that had once dreamed of defending the border had willingly become a bureaucrat's pen for Lydia's sake. I could not help remembering the royal decree that had arrived secretly at Hemsworth Hall three days earlier. Clutching the gold-edged parchment, I had gone to find Father. Inside his study, my parents were discussing Lydia's dowry. I was about to knock when Mother sighed. "Lydia's marriage will be easy enough. It's Rosalind who worries me... "How can twin sisters be so different?" Father clicked his tongue in contempt. "She's the elder daughter, yet no marriage has been arranged for her! "If society begins to suspect that something is wrong with a Hemsworth daughter, who will still come seeking Lydia? "Find Rosalind any tolerable household and send her away before she damages Lydia's prospects." My raised hand could no longer knock. I turned and went to my brother's rooms instead. He was practicing his penmanship and did not look up. "Gideon, do you know what sort of man the Crown Prince is?" What I truly wanted to ask was whether the prince would make a worthy husband and whether I should accept the charter. I had barely spoken when Gideon set down his pen with an irritated sigh. "Why are you asking? The position of Crown Princess has nothing to do with you. "Stop dreaming of climbing into the royal family and settle your own marriage before it becomes an embarrassment." I stood there, my lips parting, but in the end I said nothing. That evening, I went to the training court Edmund often used. He was polishing his sword, its edge cold as water beneath the moonlight. "Edmund, what do you think of the Crown Prince-" He interrupted without even lifting his head. "Don't tell me you plan to present yourself at court. Stop indulging in impossible fantasies." Three person, and three rejections. Not one person had enough patience to hear my question to the end. No one had ever asked me, Rosalind, is there anyone you would choose for yourself? Now all four of them were arguing endlessly over Lydia's marriage. Hours passed without a decision. Mother sighed. "Our Lydia is beautiful and gifted enough to become Crown Princess herself. "I wonder which young woman was fortunate enough to stumble into first place!" Her voice was full of envy and reluctant resentment. Father set down his teacup and answered casually. "She's probably the eldest daughter of some scholarly house who has enjoyed private tutors since childhood. There's nothing remarkable about it." Gideon waved a dismissive hand. "I imagine she's plain and unable to find a husband, so she took the women's examination to chase the title of Crown Princess. "Lydia already has noble heirs lining up to marry her. Why should she care?" The woman they belittled with every sentence was me. Since that was how they felt, I no longer needed to ask for their advice. A royal marriage charter was a rare honor. If I was going to marry, I would marry the man destined to become the kingdom's most powerful ruler. Chapter 3 At the end of the discussion, Mother removed a gold hair ornament with dangling garnets from her jewelry case. "Your grandmother left this as part of her granddaughters' bridal inheritance." After placing it in Lydia's hair, Mother stepped back and admired her with a smile. "Only on Lydia does this ornament truly come alive." Lydia turned her head from side to side before the mirror, delighted. "Thank you, Mother!" Grandmother had left two matching ornaments. One belonged to my sister, and the other should have belonged to me. I lifted my head, waiting hopefully for Mother's next words. But even when dinner was served, she never mentioned the second ornament. In the end, Lydia was the one who asked. "Mother, what about Rosalind's ornament?" Mother seemed to remember it only then and waved carelessly. "I intend to give the other one to you as well. "As for your sister, I can add something else to her dowry when the time comes." Lydia hesitated as though she wanted to object. But Mother had already changed the subject to the fabric for her wedding gown. "You haven't chosen a husband yet, but the dress must be started soon. "A shipment of Florentine silk has arrived at the dressmaker on East Market Street. They'll bring samples tomorrow." I lowered my eyes and chewed a mouthful of food that tasted like nothing. Grandmother had loved me most while she was alive. As she lay dying, she held my hand and said, "Rose, both of those are for you. "Wear them on your wedding day and imagine that I'm there to see you leave for your new life." Mother had been present. Through her tears, she promised she understood. Yet Mother appeared to have forgotten everything. Or perhaps she simply believed that anything her younger daughter desired was too precious for anyone else to claim. Lydia glanced at me several times. After dinner, she called me back. "Rosalind, about the other one..." I forced a smile. "There's no need. Mother gave it to you, so keep it." I knew she was not deliberately boasting. But her innocent acceptance lodged in my throat more painfully than open cruelty. Even resenting her made me appear ungrateful. Edmund arrived at that moment. The instant he entered, he presented Lydia with a box of strawberry pastries. "They're from the old bakery in Westgate. I waited two hours. Try one." Lydia selected a pastry, her eyes curving with happiness. "Edmund, you're the best!" When I did not take one, Edmund prompted me casually. "Rose, why are you staring? Don't you like sweets too?" I looked at him and answered with disappointment. "Edmund, strawberries give me a rash." He frowned impatiently. "I remember you eating them before. Lydia never makes such a production over food." But I had been eight the first time I ate strawberries. Edmund had not yet met Lydia then. When he learned that Gideon had brought pastries home only for my younger sister, he spent his entire allowance on a box filled with every kind of dessert for me. When he discovered I had never tasted strawberries, he became indignant on my behalf. He even climbed through a gap in the garden wall to bring me a basket after dark. "Your parents are impossibly unfair. From now on, whenever I find anything delicious or amusing, I'll give it only to you." I remembered how sweet those strawberries had tasted. Even as my tongue tingled and my entire body began to itch. When everyone at the estate rushed over, Edmund's gaze settled on Lydia and remained there. After I recovered, he told me happily, "Your sister really is more lovable than you." Even then, I continued to love Edmund. He had once been the only person willing to tilt his umbrella so the rain fell on him instead of me. I did not know when Lydia had become the only person allowed to stand beside him beneath it. Gideon swept his sleeve aside, his disgust undisguised. "Rosalind, this desperate performance for attention is beneath any respectable woman." I dug my nails into my palm, secretly grateful that I had not surrendered my entire future to my family. Otherwise, I might have endured another lifetime of neglect and baseless accusations. Back in my room, I gathered every object Edmund had given me over the years. A handkerchief, a pressed-flower bookmark, a silver pendant, a wooden flute... I arranged everything neatly inside a box. Then I locked away the last of my girlish affection with them. After telling my maid to deliver the box to Ashford House the next morning, I fell into a deep sleep. Chapter 4 The following day was the royal spring garden gala. The carriage was packed with Lydia's favorite pastries and several changes of clothing. There was nowhere left for me to sit. Mother glanced at me and spoke casually. "There's no room inside. Sit outside beside the coachman." Lydia lifted the curtain and leaned out with a smile. "Rosalind, wait. I can move a few things..." I tightened my grip on my sleeve and stepped back. "There's no need. I won't go." Mother frowned and answered only, "Suit yourself." As the carriage rolled away, their deliberately lowered voices drifted back on the wind. "Lydia, I heard the Crown Prince will attend today's garden gala. "If you catch his attention, it could transform your entire life." Lydia answered uncertainly. "But isn't the Crown Princess supposed to be the woman who placed first in the Royal Women's Service Examination?" Mother laughed softly. "Silly girl. Rigid rules are for ordinary people. They can't possibly restrain someone like you. "With beauty such as yours, what man wouldn't surrender the moment he saw you? "If the Crown Prince favors you, even royal tradition will make room." Listening to their plans, I found myself looking forward to the absurdity of it. What expression would Mother wear when the identity of the Crown Princess was announced? I pushed the thought aside, returned to my room, and began checking the dowry property I would take with me. When I opened the hidden drawer of my jewelry cabinet, every bank draft that had been stacked inside was gone. Only a few copper coins remained. Where had the money gone? I searched my memory again and again. Near sunset, I rose to ask Father to investigate. At that moment, Lydia returned to the estate. A maid behind her carried a newly commissioned set of jewels. "Rosalind, Mother had these made especially for me. The workmanship alone cost twenty-six hundred crowns." My chest tightened sharply. It was the exact amount that had vanished. I stared at Mother in disbelief. "You took my money?" Embarrassed at being confronted, Mother raised her voice. "Your food, clothing, and rooms have always been paid from this household's accounts. "Now that I use a little of your money to support the family, you become unbearably calculating!" If the household had truly faced hardship, I would have offered everything without hesitation. But this was beyond absurd. "That was my dowry fund, not the Hemsworth household treasury!" Gideon heard me and shouted, "Rosalind, who gave you permission to address your elders in that tone?" Edmund frowned as well. "Rose, Lydia placed sixth in the women's examination. "You're her elder sister and the eldest daughter of the family. You should have emptied your purse to celebrate her, not complained about a few thousand crowns." Again. It was always the same. When I was six, Lydia's tears forced me to surrender my reputation as the gifted twin. When I was seven, she fell into the ornamental pond while playing, and I was made to kneel for five days. When I was nine, Lydia developed a sudden fever, and a traveling mystic declared that the twins' spirits were in conflict. My parents sent me to a remote convent without a moment's hesitation. They left me among cold stone walls and endless prayers for half a year before allowing me home. By then, my private sitting room had become a storage room for Lydia's unwanted possessions. Now I had finally survived long enough to reach marriageable age, yet the people closest to me remained as partial as ever. More than ten years of swallowed pain erupted into fury. I seized the pearl-and-sapphire jewelry set and hurled it to the floor. Round pearls scattered across the stone. Mother cried out. "Rosalind, you've truly lost your mind! "When you marry, I'll still be expected to add property to your dowry! "This money merely moved from one family pocket to another, yet you behave as though you've been robbed! "Under Hemsworth family rules, disrespect toward one's elders is punished by twenty strokes and three days kneeling in the family chapel!" When the maids dragged me into the chapel, Gideon stood nearby with his arms folded and watched coldly. Edmund looked faintly uncomfortable, but he never spoke in my defense. Father arrived after hearing the disturbance and scolded me once he learned what had happened. "Your mother used only a modest sum, and you threw the entire estate into chaos. "If society learns how domineering you are, who will ever agree to marry you?" Supported by Father's approval, Mother became bolder. She snatched the leather discipline strap from the altar table and brought it down hard. The first blow struck my palm. Pain pierced straight to the bone. "Do you admit you were wrong?" I clenched my teeth and remained silent. The second blow fell. Then the third... Blood gradually appeared across my palm. Gideon spoke impatiently. "Why endure this? Apologize, and it'll be over." Edmund said lazily, "Rose, this time you truly went too far." Yet Lydia's allowances, gifts, and bridal property had always been ten or a hundred times greater than mine. Why did they have to steal from me in secret and then force me to gild a life already overflowing with privilege? By the tenth stroke, my palm was so swollen I could no longer close my hand. Blood ran between my fingers and spread in a dark stain across the chapel floor. Mother paused to catch her breath and looked at me with disgust. "I'll ask one final time. Do you admit you were wrong?" I raised my head, hatred filling my eyes. "I did nothing wrong!" Mother flew into a rage and lifted the strap again. Just before it struck my face, a furious voice thundered through the chapel. "Who gave you the right to abuse my future Crown Princess?"