Episode 4

The festivities for the prince's wedding concluded after a week, during which Prince Alexander made no appearance.

Gifts arrived in abundance, and poor Melanie was the only one available to offer thanks and face everyone.

The last day would host the ceremony of the new home, where the queen had bestowed upon them the ancient, symbolic, and grandiose Montwhite Palace – once inhabited by the earliest monarchs of the Tulip Kingdom and immensely significant to both the people and the monarchy.

"You should set a limit, it's more than obvious the queen favors her! Otherwise, how do you explain her gifting them that palace?"

Alexander had traveled to the outskirts of the Tulip Kingdom, specifically to the residence of Dora Moldren. He was stressed, and Cecilia's ludicrous complaints weren't helping.

"For God's love, I've been enduring your grievances for a whole week, I think it's best if I leave!" He stood up and began to get dressed.

Cecilia believed he would tell her he was rejecting the queen's offer, promising like many times before, that she would have a palace of her own.

"Oh, my sweet love, don't be cross with me, it's just that the thought of you under the same roof as that ordinary girl is agonizing."

Alexander didn't bother to reply and simply left without further comment.

Arriving at River Green Palace and seeing all the tributes and gifts sent by the subjects sent chills down his spine. Indeed, the people spared no effort in showing their affection for the new princess.

"Where have you come from?" his grandfather inquired.

"I've been awfully busy at the border with the northern kingdom, some rebels tried to steal our harvests."

The king clicked his tongue disapprovingly.

"Don't take me for a fool with my gray hairs and creaky joints; I'm older than Silverlake's wall. What were you doing emerging from Mrs. Moldren's home?"

Alexander had no convincing lie to tell.

"Your Majesty, please refrain from asking questions when the answers are sure to upset you."

"I truly hope you don't return to that place; otherwise, I'll have those women banished. Your affairs with that prostitute matter little to me, but now you're a husband, a family man, and lord of your own palace; you are expected to act accordingly."

"I never asked for this..."

"That, I know. The only things His Highness ever requests are money and prostitutes. Melanie is the one worth protecting."

The king departed, turning his back on his favored grandson, carrying a heavy knot in his heart and throat.

The prince stormed into his chambers, furious. He couldn't fathom the sickly affection the monarchs and everyone else had for Melanie; she was but a plump, plain girl with nothing remarkable but her eyes. When had her eyes started to seem beautiful to him?

Alexander violently pushed open the bedroom door to find Melanie utterly naked, emerging from the bath, dripping wet and covered in foam.

"She's beautiful," he thought to himself, knowing he couldn't linger or his own legs would betray him.

"Get dressed and come to my office!" he ordered.

Melanie panicked at the thought he might want to return her to her family. "What have I done wrong?" she pondered.

She hurried out, wearing only a robe and her hair wrapped in a towel, bare of any makeup.

She knocked on the door. "Enter," came the cold response.

"What’s wrong?" inquired Melanie, fear lacing her tone.

"There will be no honeymoon, but we'll let everyone believe there is. You'll stay in Greendellville Palace for forty days, do you understand?"

Melanie knew there wouldn't be a honeymoon, but she hadn't expected to be alone with him.

"If that's how you want it."

"We leave at dusk. Be ready, since we won't take any servants with us."

"But, I, who will assist me?"

"That's your problem."

And just like that, he sent her out of his office.

"Don't tell anyone, Melanie. No one, not even Lord Humpring."

It was more of a threat than a request.

The cars were ready. Alejandro's excuse for not bringing servants or escorts was his wish for utmost privacy with his new wife.

The journey to Greendellville was exceedingly uncomfortable; the dirt roads made the car jolt violently.

Upon arrival, they were met only by an older woman and a young man.

"This is my wife; you may leave, as we're eager to be alone."

The housekeeper and the young man barely finished unloading the luggage before departing.

Melanie felt like an insect in the vast palace, luxurious with paintings, large windows, and grand rooms, yet completely empty. That night, Alejandro disappeared, and for the following days, he did not return.

She spent an entire week locked up, only rising to use the bathroom and drink water, ceasing to eat and nearly drowning herself in the bathtub, becoming just another shadow in the mansion.

On Sunday, the morning dawned brilliantly sunny. Opening the windows, she saw the garden, unbelievably beautiful, awash with tulips, lush grass, and a plum tree laden with fruit.

"I won't die here; maybe that’s what he wants, for me to die so he won't have to live with me. I won't gratify him."

She rose and dressed in casual clothing: denim trousers, a slightly low-cut white blouse, sneakers, and a high ponytail.

Looking in the mirror, she had never dressed so casually before; her mother always insisted on elegance, very formal attire.

She walked to the nearby village, happening upon a market full of colorful stalls and people bartering their wares. She felt excessively free; no bodyguard following or her mother instructing her, she was joyous.

She bought fruit and food with the money, thankfully provided by the queen in a discreetly handed envelope before her departure.

Almost leaving, the housekeeper greeted her.

"Your Highness, such a pleasure to see you here. We thought you had left, as the prince mentioned a trip to the forest lake, which is lovely this season."

"Eh, hello, ma'am. No, my husband is dealing with... state affairs, but he should return soon, God willing."

What a grand lie.

"Your Highness, might we come clean the palace? Although the prince advised against it, if Your Highness is there, it should be clean and tidy."

Melanie decided that if her husband had placed her there and she was the princess, she'd act the part.

"Of course, I actually need a gardener for some changes, and I'd appreciate it if you could find a seamstress, too."

From that day on, various helpers came weekly to maintain the palace, and Melanie grew more comfortable than ever. She made friends with the young son of her housekeeper, utterly forgetting she was a princess and wed to a despicable man.

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