We had no silk robes or lavish feasts, but we had each other. He tilled the fields while I worked the loom, and we were happy.
Now the cottage was destroyed, and I was locked away in a side manor.
The only glimpse of the outside world I could steal was through a crack in the wall.
A few women passing by were whispering about the Delgado wedding.
"Did you hear? The Young Lord petitioned the King himself for the marriage. He traded his military honors for the jeweled phoenix crown reserved for princesses!"
"Well, his bride is the Grand Chancellor's legitimate daughter. She deserves that kind of ceremony."
"They're perfectly matched in status. What a handsome couple they'll make."
The phoenix crown they spoke of had been my favorite treasure in the palace. I'd never worn it only because I hadn't yet come of age to marry, so my father never bestowed it on me.
On my own wedding night with Chester, the only thing on my head had been a wreath of wildflowers he'd woven with his own hands.
He'd said to me then: "My Stella deserves the finest things in this world. Even a princess's crown wouldn't be too good for you."
And now he had traded his military honors to give that very crown to Shelagh Fox.