Reroll My Fate

Chapter 3

I stood there in the middle of the ballroom, the ring still in my hand, and watched the silence explode into chaos.

For a heartbeat, no one spoke; then, out of nowhere, the whispers started. They were low at first, but within seconds, they had spread like a wildfire, so loud that even I could hear them.

“Is it true?”

“Lord Caspian has mistresses?”

“Oh my Goddess…” Someone shouted and listened as they explained seeing him with a woman in a brothel last month. Another voice wondered if the queen had known.

The air felt thick with shock and excitement. There was no doubt that this kind of gossip was going to fuel conversations for weeks.

The Queen was the first to recover and she let out a nervous laugh. “Arewen, darling, you must be joking. Stop teasing poor Caspian and accept the ring.”

Several of Caspian’s allies jumped in, forcing awkward chuckles. “She’s simply making a joke,” one of them said, but his strained smile said otherwise. “Young love and all that.”

He looked at me like he expected some kind of light-hearted reaction but if anything it only made my rage boil hotter. I turned toward my stepmother, my voice steady despite the way my hands trembled at my sides.

“Why are you so eager to defend your nephew?” I asked. “Does that mean you already knew about his affairs?”

The accusation landed like a stone in still water and the whole room froze. Her face paled in fear and I watched her turn to my father(the king) who was already beginning to piece everything together.

"Where did you hear such accusations? Who told you Caspian had cheated?" She stuttered trying her best to appear calm. "He may have been framed, my dear. These things happen in court all the time.”

She offered excuse after excuse, her voice rising slightly with each one but I refused to back down. The disgust I felt for all of them burned in my throat.

“If you truly knew about his behavior and chose to hide it,” I said, my voice carrying across the silent ballroom, “then you care more about protecting your family’s reputation than the dignity of the royal family.”

Gasps echoed through the room and if I thought someone couldn't look paler I was wrong. My stepmother opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out.

Before anyone could respond, I turned to one of the maids and she walked towards my father holding a silver tray.

On the tray were several photographs and the king picked them going through them. The room was dead silent with Caspian and the queen looking like they might pass out.

The photographs showed Caspian with multiple women. Some showed him embracing them in dark corners.

Others were far more intimate with his hands under dresses, lips on necks, bodies pressed together in ways that left nothing to the imagination. In less than seventy two hours I had caught him with four women.

“The photographs were gathered within the last three days," I paused, trying to calm my racing heart. "I cannot marry a man who cannot remain loyal.”

“Those are fake!” Caspian yelled out, denying everything. “I have done nothing wrong. Someone is trying to ruin me!”

He kept talking, desperate excuses tumbling out one after another. Finally, the king had had enough and he raised his hand up silencing everyone.

With a stern look he turned to my stepmother. "We'll discuss this later." Then he looked at me, his expression softening just a fraction. “The engagement between Arewen and Caspian is suspended indefinitely.”

The announcement sent another wave of shock through the ballroom and I felt immediate relief wash over me. It was like a breath of fresh air and it took everything in me not to jump for joy.

For the first time since waking up in my old room, I felt like I had actually changed something. I turned to my father. “May I have permission to return home?”

He gave me a weak but fond smile and nodded. “Yes, you need rest."

Taking a bow I turned around but as expected Caspian followed after me. “Arewen, wait!”

His voice was filled with desperation, but I couldn't care less. His voice echoed through the walls as he ran towards me but I didn't look back, letting the large doors close between us.

The next several days passed in peace. I mostly stayed within my section of the palace grounds, avoiding the main halls and the public.

Caspian tried repeatedly to win my forgiveness. He sent flowers, letters, and even jewelry but I returned everything unopened. Each time his messengers left I couldn't help but feel immense satisfaction.

Deep down, I knew the Queen Mother was furious. The humiliation she had suffered at the ball would not be forgotten easily but I didn’t care. I had bigger things to worry about.

One afternoon, I was relaxing in the palace gardens when Caspian suddenly appeared. The guards tried to stop him, but he pushed past them, rushing toward me with teary eyes.

“Arewen, please,” he begged, dropping to his knees in front of the bench where I sat. “You cannot leave me. I truly love you. I swear I will never cheat again. I have already gotten rid of all my mistresses. Please, give me another chance. Let me court you again.”

I looked down at him, my face showing disappointment. The man who had once made my heart race now only made my stomach turn.

“I literally exposed photographic evidence of your affairs,” I said with disgust “ and you expect me to believe you’ve changed in a few days?”

He continued pleading, his voice growing more frantic. His hands found their way to my thighs and irritation filled me. "Remove him from my property," I said, turning to my lady in waiting.

She relayed the order while he stared at me, as I had just slapped him. Soon the guard grabbed him by the arms dragging him out while he called for me.

Once he was gone, I let out a long breath. I was tired of remaining inside the palace, tired of the walls and the memories. I needed to get out.

I turned to my lady-in-waiting. “Prepare transportation. I want to go to the slave market.”

Later that afternoon, we arrived at the crowded market and I cringed watching merchants shout their wares. The air was thick with the smells of food, spices, livestock, and unwashed bodies.

I walked through the busy streets, my lady-in-waiting close behind me. The more we walked the more uncomfortable I felt. My eyes met the gaze of women in cages obviously put up for sale and I looked away feeling uncomfortable.

Just then I heard a group of people cheering and that was enough to get my attention. The noise grew louder and I felt my curiosity peak as I watched them gather.

There, in the middle of a makeshift fighting ring, stood a massive man with black hair and a powerful build.

My eyes widened in shock as I watched him try to fight off a terrifying beast. The creature looked unnatural, as if it had been twisted into something far more dangerous than an ordinary animal.

The man fought with nothing but his strength and skill, muscles rippling under his skin as he dodged and struck.

Normally this kind of sight would have disgusted me but for some reason I couldn’t explain, I became completely captivated by the sight before me.