The Merchant's Daughter and the Baron's Son Chapter 2

In my last life, Julian did marry me as his main wife.

He was poor and alone as a child, surviving on the charity of the neighborhood.

He ate the most at my house. My family had been merchants for generations, wealthy even by capital standards.

My parents had no son, only me. My mother was soft-hearted.

That winter, Julian stood barefoot at our door in ragged clothes, staring at the fresh pastries in my hand, swallowing hard.

I gave him all my food that day.

He ate so fast his stomach hurt, alerting my mother. Seeing the bag of bones that was Julian, she cried out in pity and brought him inside.

That day, Julian left wearing my father's old winter clothes, altered to fit him.

He came often after that.

At first, just to eat.

As he grew older and learned shame, he said he came to see me.

I knew it was an excuse. Julian was just hungry.

He called me his best friend in the world, but his eyes were glued to the meat buns.

Later, older and more shameful, he swore an oath to me.

If he, Julian Thorne, ever made it big, he would never betray me.

That oath bound him for half a lifetime.

After being recognized as the lost son of Baron Thorne, he was quickly brought back to the fold.

He was already twenty. Rejecting the women his father's concubines tried to push on him, he married me with grand ceremony.

Julian was spirited that day.

In our bridal chamber, he patted his chest and boasted, "See, Autumn? A gentleman keeps his word. I said I wouldn't forget you if I lived a good life, and I haven't."

Julian didn't love me then either, but he kept his promise and treated me well enough.

If he hadn't met Sarah White, we might have lived harmoniously forever.