Ever After (Unfinished Fairy Tales #3)(75)
Speaking of Katriona Bradshaw, I search in the rows of seats for her. She is easy to spot, as her hair is the same color is mine, a dark auburn red. I can’t see her expression, but she appears calm. If the magistrate isn’t amenable, Edward would reveal the existence of Jacques. I really, really hope it won’t be necessary. Moreover, I doubt her secret husband will help my reputation either.
Next to her is Bianca. I can’t see her expression either, but I can see her arms folded and lip curled back in displeasure. My hands ball into fists, and I wish I could punch her face. Unlike Katriona, I do have a deep resentment for Bianca. Edward would have dearly loved to incriminate her for the harm she inflicted on me, but legally there is no way he could do it. My best option is that in the future I’ll be able to avoid her as much possible.
The magistrate takes his seat. There’s a weary look in his eyes; I’d bet he lost in a round of cards when the other magistrates had to decide who should preside over the prince’s divorce application.
“The court recognizes His Royal Highness Edward,” an official reads out. “He submitted an application for a legal separation from Katriona Bradshaw, Her Royal Highness of Athelia.”
“Your Highness,” the magistrate addresses Edward. “According to the application forms you submitted earlier, you have indicated your intention of divorcing your wife, Katriona Bradshaw, after four hundred and twenty-one days of marriage. Is this correct?”
“Yes, Your Honor.” Edward stands straight. So straight that I wonder if the king had made him balance a book on his head like a fashion model when he was a kid.
“You have indicated on the forms that your reason for applying for divorce is due to an irrevocable mistake.” The magistrate pushes his glasses up his nose. “That does not constitute sufficient means for a divorce. Unless your wife has proved to be unfaithful or neglected her wifely duties, we cannot proceed.”
Edward does not raise his voice, but every word is clearly enunciated, like he wants to convey this is not a choice he made on a whim. “I understand that the reason is unheard of. However, allow me explain.”
A shout rises from someone in the Common Gallery. “Because you lost your head to that witch!” The shout sets off more commotion from the crowd, and the magistrate has to bang his gavel on the wooden desk again.
“Katherine Wilson is no witch.” Edward’s voice is deadly calm. “As a matter of fact, she is the woman I married last June. Katriona Bradshaw did not enter the palace until this February.”
Elle gasps; my jaw falls. I did NOT anticipate Edward revealing the truth in public. As for the audience, let’s just say the reporters are having a field day. The Common Gallery has exploded; people are on their feet, shouting and pointing. A young lady in the Noble Gallery has fainted, probably so shocked that she could no longer stand her binding corset. Even the magistrate is so stunned that he doesn’t reach for the gavel until a short while later.
The magistrate clears his throat and pauses, as if he doesn't know how to respond. “Your Highness. This is felony—however, it is not within my duty to deal with it. For now let us remain with your case. If you married another woman, why did you let everyone believe she is Katriona Bradshaw?”
Edward glances up in my direction; there is a gleam in his eyes. “Two years ago, I had the fortune to make the acquaintance of Katherine Wilson, the adopted granddaughter of Raymond Wellesley, the owner of a bookstore named The Bookworm. I was accompanying my cousin, Henry, while he visited an impoverished family. The mother was ill with cholera. Incidentally, the mother is the same woman who adopted Elle Bradshaw, the current heiress of Earl Bradshaw.”
This time the court is in complete silence. Everyone is riveted to Edward’s story.
“At that time, I was aware that she was a commoner, but I could not deny my powerful attachment for her. Yet because she is not of noble blood, I knew a union with her would not be favored, or even forbidden.” He turns and sweeps an icy gaze in the direction of the person who yelled ‘witch.’ “And so I came up with a scheme, of which I fully take responsibility for. I convinced Katriona Bradshaw to switch places with Katherine Wilson.”
More gasps from the court.
Stop, I want to yell at Edward. I realize what he’s doing now...he’s trying to take all the blame on himself so that neither Katriona nor I will be blamed. But by admitting to this so-called ‘arrangement,’ he is admitting that he lied to the entire nation. King Leon will be furious. All the time he’s been warning Edward to cultivate a faultless image, and today his son is completely ignoring the advice.
But I can’t erase the words that have already been spoken. Edward moves not an inch; he continues speaking in that clear, unaffected tone.
“They were reluctant to accept the arrangement in the beginning. Katherine did not want to steal another’s identity; she would rather give me up than pretend to be an aristocrat. Nor was Katriona Bradshaw inclined to agree, but I compensated her with a substantial amount to leave Athelia and begin a new life in Moryn. Everyone thought it was Katriona Bradshaw I was courting, but in fact it was Katherine all the time.”
Elle squeezes my hand. “His Highness is so devoted to you,” she whispers.
“He is,” I say, feeling like weeping. So many times I’m deeply touched by his affection, but this takes the cake.