The marquis meant that I should start making babies. Immediately.
Because to him, to them, to everyone else, that was all I was worth. That was why I had a stupid metal wrapped around my neck like a f*****g leash, that was why Knox barged into my room and explained just how rough he was going to be with me. It was the only reason the prince was interested in me, enough to protect me.
I clenched my fist and bit down on my inner cheeks as tears filled my eyes.
“Yes father.” I choked back the sob and pretended that this was just like every other day in my life. It wasn’t painful or humiliating at all.
The buzz of what happened during the claiming ceremony was the talk of the entire eastern territory and beyond. The maids wouldn’t shut up about it. And because I locked myself inside with
