I Was the Stepping Stone novel Chapter 4

Chapter 4

I returned to the ducal estate with a single purpose: to pack my belongings and leave.

I took nothing of value with me.

The jewels and gold trinkets, the pearl hairpins once bestowed by the High Princess-I left them all behind.

They were more important for Alaric.

As I stepped past the entry hall, a voice sharp as vinegar cut through the air.

“Well, well. Isn’t the shameless little harlot who refused to leave my son’s house?”

It was Alaric’s mother.

Propped up by her maids, she stood in my path, sneering.

3

“What is it this time? Come back to seduce him again? Trying some new trick, are you?”

Her words, laced with contempt, sent ripples of laughter through the watching servants.

Once, I might have tried to defend myself.

Today, I simply clutched my bundle tighter and walked on.

But as I passed, her gaze turned icy and sharp.

“She’s sneaking off like a thief. No doubt she’s stolen something!”

“Seize her!”

At her command, a group of guards surged forward.

Rough hands clamped around my arms and shoulders, slamming me to the floor with my face forced down.

My carefully packed bundle tore open. Garments scattered.

A silk underbodice lay exposed among the mess.

The guards leered. One of them smirked, his hand trailing over my back with indecent familiarity.

I struggled.

She stepped forward and struck me full across the face.

My ears rang. Blood rose in my throat.

“You shameless little wretch. Taking away lacy things like these-were you planning to parade them for some man on the

street?”

“is our general’s bed not enough for you to climb?” she spat.

“Five years and still not even a concubine-perhaps a brothel will suit you better. Maybe some blind man will marry you

yet.”

The courtyard roared with laughter.

She didn’t care that I hadn’t taken a single coin.

What she wanted-what she always wanted-was to humiliate me.

And now, she raised her hand again.

But I caught her wrist in mine.

“Thank you,” I said coldly, my voice clear despite the sting in my throat. “That slap… has burned away any lingering illusion

I had left.”

“Let go of me.”

A shout broke through the clamor. The guards hesitated, stunned.

I rose slowly, my head held high, and looked once at the shredded clothes on the ground.

“If you want them-take them.”

No sorrow. No regret.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify