Flashback
Alaric thought Eve was enjoying the attention Gavin was giving her since he didn't see any sign of resistance from her.
Watching this unsightly scene, Alaric felt like every ounce of his energy was drained from him.
Now, he was convinced that Princess Evelina was the one who ordered those men to attack him tonight. Instead of fulfilling her duty as his wife, she chose to sleep with the Duke's son on their wedding night.
Though there were no feelings involved in their marriage, his heart shattered into tiny pieces. He was still a man with pride. He felt like Eve just made fun of him. Her betrayal was more painful than the wound inflicted on him by those hired men. At that moment, hatred surged up in his heart.
'I am too foolish to believe that she's different from other nobles. She also looks down on me. They were right. She will never acknowledge me as her husband.' Alaric smiled bitterly, clenching his fists.
He restrained himself from drawing his sword against the princess and the Duke's son because he knew that by doing so, his family and whole clan would be wiped out. All he could do was walk away and turn a blind eye to preserve his pride.
However, Alaric wouldn't let this slide. Gavin was betrothed to the Second Princess, Aliyah. The moment he left the Bridal Chamber, he made sure to send Princess Aliyah a message through her servant while hiding his identity.
Soon, Princess Aliyah came dashing toward the Bridal Chamber, catching Gavin as he forced himself on Eve.
Bam!
The loud banging sound of the door interrupted Gavin from claiming Eve's virginity.
"What the hell is going on here!" Aliyah yelled hysterically as soon as she saw Gavin on top of Eve.
Gavin sobered up instantly the moment he met Aliyah's blazing eyes.
Frightened by Princess Aliyah's sudden arrival, he immediately got off the bed, distancing himself from Eve who just lay on the bed, unmoving.
"My Lady… uhm… l-let me explain." he stammered from both fear and guilt. He was caught in the act by his fiancée.
Aliyah strode toward him with large strides, her eyes filled with contempt.
Gavin couldn't afford to offend Princess Aliyah, otherwise, he might be punished severely by the royal family.
"It's her fault!" Gavin pointed his finger at Eve. "She seduced me, my princess! Look at her. She stripped naked in front of me, tempting me. I'm just a man. I failed to resist her temptation. Your sister is a seductress."
Gavin put the blame on Eve. He knew that she was the unfavored princess so Princess Aliyah might believe him.
Eve couldn't even defend herself as her emotions were unstable. She was still traumatized by Gavin's harsh treatment, violating her body against her will.
Meanwhile, Princess Aliyah narrowed her eyes on Eve. She noticed that Eve wasn't wearing her ugly disguise so she believed Gavin that she deliberately seduced him.
"You're a slut!" Her anger was directed to Eve.
Aliyah climbed on the bed, slapping Eve several times.
Slap!
"How dare you covet my man?! You disgrace us! You are already married but you dare seduce my fiancé!" Aliyah continued hitting Eve on her face.
Eve never fought back. She just let Aliyah beat her. She preferred this kind of punishment, instead of being defiled by Gavin. If Gavin succeeded in claiming her, she didn't know how to face her husband after this.
'Thanks God. Aliyah arrived on time,' Eve thought to herself, still feeling grateful.
"Get me the whip!" Princess Aliyah ordered her servant.
It did not take long before the servant handed the leather whip over to her.
"Lock the door. Don't let anyone enter." She ordered again.
Enraged, Princess Aliyah lashed Eve several times all over her body. Gavin just stood next to her, watching this scene.
Though he pitied Eve, Gavin felt relieved. Princess Aliyah believed his lies. And Eve was the one who received the punishment.
At that certain moment, Gavin realized that Princess Eve was powerless. Her title as princess was in name only. Her sisters and the royal family treated her like a slave.
'Marrying Princess Aliyah is better than marrying this woman. Though she is a princess, her status is even lower than mine. My only regret is that I failed to claim her.'
Eve's punishment lasted for an hour. She passed out from both the emotional and physical torture she received that night.
The man, whom she was waiting to rescue her, never showed up. She just hoped Alaric wouldn't see her in her sorry state.
The next morning, Eve found out that her husband joined the 5th battalion assigned to defend the kingdom's border from their enemies. He left the palace without saying goodbye to her.
End of Flashback
Back in the royal courtyard, Eve was now standing next to her husband Alaric. He didn't even greet her as he shifted his gaze away from her.
Eve bit her lip, lowering her head to conceal her pitiful expression. She was hurt by her husband's indifference.
As Alaric stood in the middle of Princess Thalia and Princess Evelina, the crowd began comparing the two princesses.
"General Alaric and Princess Thalia seem perfect together."
"I regret to say it, but our Third Princess cannot compare to Princess Thalia's beauty. Princess Evelina is just a plain-looking woman."
"Our kingdom's hero deserves to marry the beautiful princess."
"I hope Princess Eve will let go of General Alaric and agree to Queen Amara's proposition. She should divorce him."
Thalia smiled triumphantly as she could hear the crowd's sentiments and opinions.
"Mother, can you take her away? She is such an embarrassment to our royal family," Princess Aliyah whispered to Queen Amara. She could hear the insulting words being directed at Eve.
Queen Amara approached Eve, holding her elbow tightly. "The royal physician advised you to stay in your chamber. You are still not feeling well."
Eve saw the warning glare coming from the Queen. She didn't dare oppose her.
Queen Amara signaled her maids. "Please guide our third princess back to her chamber."
Eve glanced at Alaric one last time before she turned around to follow the queen's servant.
Alaric only looked at her when she was already walking away. He also noticed that Princess Eve didn't look well. Her complexion was very pale.
'Only one year had passed, but her health seemed to decline further.' Alaric frowned. Complicated emotions flashed through his eyes as he watched her retreating figure.