Chapter 175

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A few years ago, there was a death in the capital that took the nation by storm. Everyone, regardless of their gender or social standing, was deeply engrossed in it and eagerly anticipated any new developments.

It was the unfortunate demise of a young bride who had perished before her husband ever laid eyes on her.

The newlywed maiden, glowing with happiness and hope for a new life, was cruelly cast off the lovers' cove, bringing a heartbreaking end to the romantic tale of a young couple before it had a chance to blossom.

The tragedy gripped the hearts of the citizens as they mourned the departed soul for a peaceful afterlife.

Over the years, the tragedy that once brought the entire nation together slowly faded from memory, slipping into the abyss of forgotten lore, and the haunting image of a young bride with her tattered wedding gown and hollow, lifeless eyes wandering the cliffs of Mount Zion became an eerie legend.

That was until one starry night, when the heavens descended from the skies, enveloping the lands with a mystical light.

Soon after, the long-forgotten cursed bride, emerged from the realm of the deceased, casting a veil of mysteriousness over her return. This resurgence captured the attention of the people once more, reigniting a fervent and insatiable interest in her.

This is the enigmatic and sorrowful tale surrounding Young Duchess Frost, The Cursed Bride.

~ By Lorin Alvernath, the Daily Volos






"The cursed bride spotted at the Imperial Palace!" 

I inadvertently crumpled the newspaper I was holding in my hands.

"Are you kidding me? That's what they're calling me. I have a name."

The headline was printed in big, bold letters and even featured a picture of Edward and me coming out of the Ivory Palace in each other's arms. 

It was not just this newspaper, but all of the major newlines, from the imperial-endorsed newspapers to the low-level tabloids, had identical content covering their front pages. Surely for the gossipy newspapers, it was the resurrection story of the century.

"Ugh!"

I scrunched my face at the ridiculousness of the article I just read and picked up a different newspaper from the pile, one that appeared less likely to have such articles. 

So far, all those I have read seemed to have been written by reporters whose imaginations ran wild. Especially the article from the Daily Volos, which might as well be the screenplay for a movie instead of being an informative piece.

"Really? That's what you're concerned about?" Adelaide rolled her eyes at me disapprovingly.

After the fiasco of a day at the Imperial Palace, I came home to a warm bath, a delicious meal, and a soft bed, yet I couldn't sleep a wink.

'Wait a minute' I paused mid-thought.

Since when did I start addressing the Frost Estate as my home? I couldn't remember. My memory has been coming and going at times, and I sometimes lose track of myself.

'No!' I shook my head to stop my thoughts from deviating.

Since the encounter at the palace, I kept thinking about what went wrong, and before I knew it, it was already dawn and the Eir priests had arrived at my door.

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