I hid my identity from him, and he told me only that he was a freelance enforcer drifting between jobs. We exchanged vows beneath the open sky, with heaven and earth as our witnesses.
We had no family crests or lavish alliance ceremonies, but we had each other. He worked odd jobs while I kept the house, and we were happy.
Now the cottage was destroyed, and I was locked away in a side wing of the Delgado estate.
The only glimpse of the outside world I could steal was through a crack in the wall.
A few women passing by were whispering about the Delgado wedding.
"Did you hear? The young heir petitioned Don Valente himself for the union. He traded his service commendations for the diamond tiara reserved for the Don's own daughters."
"Well, his bride is the Counselor's legitimate daughter. She deserves that kind of ceremony."
"They're perfectly matched in standing. What a handsome couple they'll make."
The tiara they spoke of had been my favorite treasure in the compound. I'd never worn it only because I hadn't yet come of age to marry, so my father never bestowed it on me.