Chapter 2

Three years ago, I fought with my father and sealed my own power out of spite, then left the temple to chase the mortal life I wanted for myself.

I'd slipped away from the messengers sent to watch me and settled in this seaside fishing village.

That was where I met Adrian. He sailed his boat in loaded with fish, smelling of the sea, a smile on his lips. One look at him and I fell hard.

I hid who I was from him. He told me he was only a fisherman's son. We became husband and wife with nothing but the rocks and the waves as our witness.

We had no fine clothes, no rich food. Just fishing and growing olives. But we were happy.

Now the stone house was gone, and I was locked away in this guest house instead.

I could only see the sky through the corner of the wall.

A few women passed by outside, talking low about Adrian's wedding.

"Did you hear? Adrian went all the way to Aphrodite's temple to ask for the goddess's olive crown, just to use it as his wedding crown."

"That's the temple's greatest treasure. Only a mortal with pure love in his heart can ever be granted it. With that crown, the wedding will be beyond glorious. Only a princess deserves that kind of honor."

"Those two really are perfectly matched. Using a token from the goddess herself to seal a marriage. Everyone's going to be jealous of them."

The olive crown they were talking about was forged from the olive branch tied to my very being, the highest wedding relic in my temple. Whoever sought it had to swear an oath of lifelong devotion before my statue before the crown would bless the union. But if the one who wore it carried calculation and greed in her heart instead, the crown would punish her, day and night, without end.

When Adrian and I first married, all I wore on my head was a wreath he'd woven himself from olive branches.

Back then he told me, "My Elena deserves the best this world has. Even the goddess's own crown wouldn't be too good for you."

I never imagined that crown would end up on Calista's head instead.

That evening, Adrian brought over a whole box of the pastries I loved.

He sat across from me, calm. "Eat something. The baby's hungry too."

My heart softened. I picked one up and took small bites.

But watching him act like nothing had happened made everything taste bitter.

"When did this start?"

Adrian froze at the question. He poured me a cup of water, looking awkward, then finally said, flat, "A month ago."

I felt like I'd fallen through ice. A month ago was my birthday. Adrian had disappeared that whole night, and I'd searched everywhere for him, the beach, the hills, all night long.

He didn't come back until the next day, dusty and worn out, saying he'd gotten lost looking for my birthday gift.

Then he'd pulled out a bundle of anemones from behind his back like he was presenting treasure.

I hadn't slept all night, but seeing how much effort he'd put in, I couldn't bring myself to be angry. I'd kept those flowers alive with care ever since.

Now he was telling me that on my birthday, he'd been sneaking around with Calista. My stomach turned.

Still, thinking back on everything we'd had, I couldn't stop myself from wanting to give him one more chance.

"Adrian, can you not marry her?"

He kept turning the cup in his hands, brows tight.

"Not marry her? Marry you instead?"

"Are you really going to make me say something ugly?"

"She's a princess. What are you? A fishing village woman who knows how to catch fish and grow olives. How could you ever be my wife?"

My face went pale. I asked, refusing to let it go, "Does what we had for three years really have to be measured by rank?"

Sharp pain shot through my belly. I pressed a hand to it and waited for his answer anyway.

"Rank, status, power. These things matter. You don't understand."

He paused, looking at me with something like guilt.

"Calista might be pregnant."

I went blank for a second, staring at him, not believing it.

"Elena, her child has to be my first child. That's the only way you'll be safe."

The pain in my stomach twisted sharper, cold sweat breaking out on my forehead. My eyes drifted to the box of pastries.

"Adrian, this is your child too. How could you..."

Adrian's eyes went red. He apologized over and over.

"I'm sorry, Elena. She knows about you now. Based on the timing, your baby's further along than hers. She won't let you give birth first..."