A Promise in Shadows

Chapter 4 The Tapestry of Betrayal

Lotty's eyes filled with tears so suddenly that they shimmered like freshly spilled ink. Her fingers trembled around the ink stick as she bit her lip, struggling to hold back her sobs.

Seeing this, Jane stepped forward with vicious intent and slapped Charlotte hard across the face. "How dare you ruin Princess Lotty's cherished gown? Her Highness pricked her fingers countless times and worked through sleepless nights to finish it, all so she could dazzle Prince Joshua the day after their wedding."

"You selfish wretch! How arrogant of you to ruin such an important moment!" Jane scolded.

Joshua's expression darkened instantly. He wrapped an arm gently around Lotty and used his handkerchief to wipe away the tears clinging to her lashes. Taking her delicate hand, he pressed a soft kiss to it.

"Don't cry, Lotty," Joshua said coldly, casting Charlotte a look of utter contempt. "Pull out her nails."

As he uttered those chilling words, he sealed them with a gentle kiss on Lotty's lips. She turned her head stubbornly in protest, though a fleeting glimmer of triumph flashed in her eyes before she resumed her fragile expression.

"Josh, would you help me change into another gown?" Lotty asked softly.

Joshua's gaze softened with affection. Gathering her slender figure into his arms, he carried her toward the bedroom.

Before long, muffled sounds drifted from behind the doors, prompting the maids nearby to exchange embarrassed glances.

Charlotte's screams were muffled by the rag stuffed in her mouth. Her sobs became broken whimpers before darkness swallowed her consciousness. Meanwhile, the maids outside chatted cheerfully about heating water in the kitchen.

"This morning Prince Joshua personally bathed Princess Lotty," one said with admiration.

"He stayed by her side the entire time, afraid she might feel shy," another added.

"Prince Joshua and Princess Lotty truly love each other. At least serving them means we don't have to live in fear," someone sighed in relief.

To Charlotte, however, the world felt twisted with cruel irony.

Three days later, Charlotte woke on a bed of rough straw in the stables. The empty spaces where her nails had once been throbbed with unbearable pain whenever she moved. Outside, the snow had stopped falling, but her heart remained frozen.

Joshua briefly passed by the stables to see his prized horse. His eyes flicked over Charlotte's mutilated hands before he turned his face away in distaste.

"Why haven't you bandaged those wounds?" he asked indifferently.

"I tried, Your Highness, but…" Charlotte began weakly.

Before she could finish, Lotty appeared, her innocent aura intact.

"Josh, I've been craving those scones you used to bring me when we were children. I miss them so much," Lotty said sweetly as she leaned closer to him.

Joshua's attention immediately shifted. Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, he kissed her forehead gently. "I'll get them right away. Your new gown is almost finished as well. Tell me what you think of it later."

Their figures disappeared together, leaving Charlotte alone with a reality she could not escape.

Mary soon arrived with bandages for Charlotte's ruined hands while Charlotte silently chewed a hard, stale bun.

"Princess Lotty doesn't like you," Mary said quietly. "Trying to stay close to Prince Joshua will only bring you trouble. A maid should know her place, or she'll suffer for it."

"In ten days you'll be leaving anyway. Why put yourself through more pain?" Mary sighed.

Charlotte lowered her eyes, startled by the reminder. Staring at the untouched bun in her hand, tears slipped silently into the straw.

Days passed, and Charlotte's wounds slowly began to heal. She decided to buy some herbs to brew medicine for the painful cramps tormenting her body.

As she passed the quiet lake near the study, Lotty appeared, feeding the fish. When she saw Charlotte, a mischievous glint flashed across her eyes. She stepped forward and grabbed Charlotte's hand with feigned concern.

"My, what beautiful hands. What a pity they've been ruined. Joshua shouldn't have punished you. It was only a dress," Lotty said softly.

Charlotte clutched her medicine pouch and gently pulled her hand away. "Today is my day off, Princess Lotty…"

Suddenly Lotty gasped loudly.

"Oh no! The bracelet my mother gave me fell into the lake!"

Jane immediately stepped forward. "She must retrieve it. Throw her in."

Panicked, Charlotte cried out, "I didn't do it! Please!"

No one listened. Rough hands seized her as the herbs in her pouch scattered across the ground, the fragile paper packets crushed underfoot.

"What is all this commotion?"

Joshua's voice cut through the air as he stepped out of the study.