Chapter 7

The next morning, the carriage set off for the Sterling estate.

The spring sun was quite scorching, so I could only float in Caspian's shadow, trailing the carriage.

His tall figure shielded me completely from the scorching sun.

I had never imagined I would one day need his protection like this.

Upon arriving at the Sterling estate, my parents were already waiting at the entrance. Seeing Caspian, they eagerly welcomed him.

My mother also took Elara's hand, worry in her eyes.

I felt a pang of sadness. In my memory, my mother had never looked at me that way.

Even on the day I married Caspian, knowing I might die, her eyes were still filled with joy.

Joy that Elara would live.

Sadly, at the time, I couldn't understand. I always thought that since my mother had fought for my life, she surely loved me too.

"Mother, I would have willingly switched places with my sister. Why did you have to kill me?" I floated beside my mother and asked.

My mother couldn't hear.

When I was alive, she ignored my pleas; how could she care for me after I was dead?

Her entire heart and soul were for Elara.

My father subtly asked Caspian why he had come with Elara, given the critical political situation, and that Caspian should be in the palace.

Caspian said it was a beautiful spring day, and the Sterling family's gardens were renowned as the best in the Capital, so he came to enjoy the scenery.

I knew that wasn't his true purpose, but I still perked up.

Because my body was buried in that garden.

My parents probably hadn't moved my corpse yet. After all, the Sterling family was a large household, with many mouths, and any carelessness could lead to discovery.

Caspian strolled leisurely through the garden, Elara nervously accompanying him.

My mother gently patted her hand, as if signaling her not to worry.

My father asked Caspian about the current court affairs, but Caspian didn't answer. Instead, he plucked a crabapple blossom and tucked it into Elara's hair.

Elara's eyes lit up, then she demurely lowered her head.

My parents were smiling too; they breathed a sigh of relief.

Caspian used to put flowers in my hair too. It wasn't that he loved me much; I was merely one of his possessions, and he found some amusement in dressing me up when he was bored.

Or perhaps, he would adorn me to his liking before he… indulged, so he could enjoy himself more.

"Thank you, My Lord," Elara said sweetly.

Caspian smiled and continued walking forward.

Ahead was where I was buried, my body beneath that tangled rose bush.

But when I floated over, I couldn't feel my body anymore.

I saw that the soil had been freshly turned. My body had been moved, likely last night.

They simply couldn't take the risk.

Caspian had climbed his way out of piles of corpses; they feared he would sense something.

But where was I now?

Suddenly, a breeze picked up, blowing countless pear blossoms. A cool fragrance filled the wind.

Pear blossoms fell like snow, a fleeting spring.

Caspian looked in the direction the pear blossoms were flying. At the end of the garden, there was a small courtyard, with a pear tree whose pure white blossoms were in full bloom.

Caspian walked towards it. My father and mother immediately blocked him, saying there was nothing to see there.

Caspian said he had never seen such pure, ethereal pear blossoms and saw no harm in taking a look.

Elara immediately feigned dizziness. "My Lord, it's too hot. I'm feeling unwell and wish to rest."

Caspian saw her pale face and sweat on her brow. After a moment of hesitation, he left with her.

I watched my parents' expressions. I knew my body must be in that courtyard.

In the room, my mother accompanied Elara while she rested, and my father took Caspian to a quiet pavilion for tea.

"Mother, was that ill-fated twin really pregnant?" Elara asked.

My mother nodded. "Yes, last night we… opened her up. She was indeed pregnant."