I walked to the staircase and caught Alyssa out of the corner of my eye, just as she was about to ascend. My gaze shifted, and I descended the stairs, stopping in front of her.
"The Swording Dukedom has a lineage spanning centuries, a family history even older than our royal family. Do you truly believe he would overlook the esteemed ladies of Reysland and instead favor the daughter of a bastard like you?"
Alyssa stopped. She looked up at me with undisguised disdain.
"What Exeter thinks is irrelevant. Marrying him is my only way out."
"I'm willing to stake my life on it. No man can refuse a woman who loves him more than life itself."
"Anne, you understand nothing."
Alyssa's reply surprised me. Everyone assumed she was blinded by the allure of power and wealth, oblivious to the disdai
