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“My mother rode all the way to your palace with Fern while still bleeding from the birth, and then rode home alone!”

“I would’ve let her stay the night if she’d asked,” Sol huffs.

“You should’ve made her!” Lux growls as Eden grasps his arm. “You never should’ve let her leave!”

Sol scrubs a hand over his face. “Like I have explained to you already, I liked your mother. Lissa was a sweet lady. And her death was a tragedy, but my daughters are not at fault here. I beg of you, Your Highness, please do not punish them for my crimes.”

I glance at Lux, wishing I could see his expression, but I don’t want to interfere.

This is his moment. For that little boy who climbed onto his mother’s bed only to find her dead.

And for his brother too.

“I am not punishing your daughter,” Lux says as my breath catches. “I love Eden. I would never hurt her. She is mine, yes, but I am also hers. As is my brother, as much as it pains me to admit.”

Surprised, I laugh silently.

It seems the plan has changed…

“You did not hurt Eden?” Sol sputters.

“I would never hurt my mate.”

“But then why did your letters say⁠—”

“Because I wanted to hurt you, and I thought, to do that, I’d need to hurt your daughter.” Lux takes Eden’s hand before turning back to Sol. “But it took me coming here with the people I love most and looking into the eyes of the person responsible for my mother’s death, to realise how little I care about how he feels.”

My brow shoots up. I’d hug both Lux and Eden if it weren’t for our audience.

Speaking of… the prick huffs, “Well, perhaps now you can give her back to me then, if you don’t care⁠—”

“Oh, I care very much, Sol,” Lux growls. “Unlike you, I know how to treat a woman well, and now your daughter is mine, I intend on giving her the life she deserves. And when our baby comes,” he gazes at her, “both Eden and our child will receive the finest medical care.”

A smile touches my cheeks.

“SHE’S PREGNANT?” Sol’s roar shakes the throne room. “You swine! You haven’t even paid—” he cuts himself off before he finishes. “Forgive me, Prince Lux.” He breathes heavily. “I… I am very happy for you.”

A crease forms between my brows. I know Lux offered Sol a lot of gold to marry Eden. It must’ve been mountains for Sol to let her visit our manor first. But surely he knows he’s not getting that from us now. There’s no way Lux would give him a single penny. Even if the king begged us for it.

Sol scrubs a hand over his face. “Tell me Camellia isn’t pregnant too.”

“What?” I choke at the same time as Eden.

Lux seems just as confused as us as he says, “I know nothing of your other daughters.”

“Do not play with me!” Sol pleads. “No more of these games.”

Eden shoots me a look, but I return one just as bewildered. Perhaps the king is ill. Maybe Lux’s letters pushed him too far. Turned him mad.

“Sol, I have never even spoken to Camellia,” Lux replies calmly. “I couldn’t even tell you what she looks like.”

Sol takes a breath as his guards twitch. “Tell me what you want.”

Lux kisses Eden’s forehead. “I have everything I need right here.”

“No,” Sol hisses. “Tell me what you want in exchange for my daughters! Both of them!”

Lux shakes his head. “I don’t understand.”