I clenched every muscle in my body to keep the tears from falling.
He reached for my hand. I pulled away.
"Stella, she was only protecting herself. If you'd given birth, where would that leave her and her child? It's only human nature."
I let out a hollow laugh. Human nature. What a convenient excuse.
Chester set the bowl down and continued. "After Shelagh went home, she had terrible stomach pains. It's possible our child's spirit unsettled her..."
He looked at me, hesitating, then pressed on.
"There's a high monk at Serenity Abbey. Go to him and ask him to perform rites for the child's soul. Then climb all nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine steps on your hands and knees, one bow per step, and bring back a blessing charm for Shelagh. Do that, and we can put this whole matter behind us. Alright?"
I stared at him, my eyes burning red.
"Chester Delgado, you and I are finished. If you want a blessing charm, go get it yourself."
I dragged myself off the bed, trying to leave this wretched place.
He blocked my path.
He scooped me up, ignoring my thrashing, and threw me onto a horse. He rode hard until we reached the foot of Serenity Abbey.
"Take her up the mountain."
Two guards seized me by the arms, one on each side. I hauled my broken body forward, dropping to my knees and pressing my forehead to the stone with every step.
Two days without food or water, fresh from a miscarriage. I passed out and woke and passed out again along the way.
I don't remember how I obtained the blessing charm. All I know is that when I finally saw Chester at the bottom, my legs gave out and I collapsed.
He caught me and gathered me into his arms.
"Stella, you've suffered so much. I promise, even after I marry Shelagh, you'll be the only one in my heart."
I closed my eyes slowly. Three days ago, I might have believed those words. Now they made my stomach turn.
"I got you your blessing charm. Let me go."
He ignored my plea and carried me back to the cottage.
"Stella, don't be stubborn. The wedding is tomorrow. Shelagh has agreed to let you keep living in the cottage afterward. You'll stay out of each other's way. Alright?"
Before leaving, he added one last instruction: "The Princess may come to observe the ceremony tomorrow. Stay in the cottage and don't cause trouble."
Shortly after he left, my father's secret agents found me.