My Husband From My Past Life Is A Prince

Chapter 2 - Stronger Than Her Eyes

As Magnus and Charlotte approached the grand gates of the Halfsden kingdom, where Duke Magnus reigned, whispers among the maids and servants fluttered like leaves in the wind, spreading the news like wildfire. "Hurry, prepare yourselves! The Duke is upon us!" they urged each other, bustling with anticipation. As the carriage rolled to a stop and Magnus stepped out, little Charlotte nestled in his arms, the air crackled with curiosity and surprise. "Does the Duke have a child?" murmured the onlookers, their minds racing with questions.

Inside the opulent palace, a wave of confusion washed over the assembled staff as Magnus made his way through the corridors, Charlotte in tow. "Who is this little one?" his loyal assistant, Valeztin, dared to inquire, his eyes alight with curiosity. Magnus, with a gentle smile, turned to Charlotte, prompting her to introduce herself to the bewildered onlookers. "Excuse us, everyone," Magnus said with a warmth that surprised them all. "Charlotte, my dear, please introduce yourself."

The room fell silent as all eyes turned to Charlotte, the unexpected guest who seemed to hold the key to a mystery they hadn't even realized existed. "My name is Charlotte Harper Silvercrest!" she proclaimed, her voice ringing out with a confidence that belied her tender years. Gasps of astonishment rippled through the room at the mention of her name. "Silvercrest?!" they echoed in hushed tones, their minds reeling with implications.

With a fatherly smile, Magnus announced Charlotte's newfound status to the astonished servants and maids, declaring her to be a cherished addition to their family. "From this day forward, you shall serve my daughter," he proclaimed, his voice carrying the weight of both authority and affection. He then faced the maids and said "Bathe her, feed her, and attend to her needs as you would your own."

And so, amidst whispers of intrigue and speculation, Charlotte Silvercrest embarked on her journey as a member of the illustrious Halfsden family, her presence forever altering the fabric of life within the grand walls of the kingdom.

As Charlotte luxuriated in the warm embrace of the tub, surrounded by billowing clouds of fragrant steam, a diligent maid attended to her, gently washing her hair and caressing her back. Amidst the gentle lull of the water, the maid's keen eyes caught sight of the myriad scars and bruises that marred Charlotte's delicate skin. "Miss Charlotte, who inflicted such wounds upon you?" she inquired, her voice trembling with concern.

With a heavy sigh, Charlotte whispered, "The orphanage..." A shiver danced down the maid's spine at the mention of that dreaded place, where shadows lurked and cruelty reigned unchecked. "Surely the Duke is unaware of these horrors," she mused silently, her thoughts drifting to the swift justice that might befall those responsible if he were to discover the truth.

"Miss Maid?" Charlotte's soft voice broke through the maid's reverie. "Yes, my lady?" she responded, her heart swelling with tenderness for the brave young girl before her. "What is your name?" Charlotte inquired, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "I am Cherry, my lady," the maid replied with a warm smile, her gaze softening with affection.

Charlotte's face lit up with delight. "What a delightful name, Cherry! It suits you perfectly especially with your pink hair!" she exclaimed, her words dripping with sincerity. "It is my honor to receive such praise from you, my dear young miss. Your own hair is as resplendent as a field of golden wheat," Cherry replied, her voice tinged with admiration.

"Thank you, Miss Cherry!" Charlotte beamed, her heart swelling with joy at the maid's kind words. "Your creamy locks bear a striking resemblance to the Duke's silver hair, though yours possesses a unique hue all its own," Cherry observed, her eyes twinkling with insight. Charlotte's eyes widened in astonishment. "You've noticed too?!" she gasped.

Beyond the grand doors of the castle, Magnus stood in the shadows, eavesdropping on the conversation unfolding within. "Your grace, why have you chosen to adopt Miss Charlotte?" Valeztin, his loyal assistant, inquired, his voice tinged with curiosity. Magnus, his gaze distant yet determined, replied with a sense of purpose, "I sought an heir, Valeztin, but when I beheld her, I sensed a spark within her a light that must not be extinguished." With a solemn nod, he continued, "Arrange for her a tutor, fine garments, toys, and all the accoutrements befitting her station. She deserves nothing but the best."