They called me the most beautiful woman in the world--I wouldn't know, as I've only really seen a small portion of it. It was a title give to me like an excuse, as if it would explain all the groping hands or trading me off like a broodmare.

It must be true though--otherwise, how could anyone justify it when I was ripped from my husband and daughter, tossed to a spoiled prince like a prize, and then had my will forced out of me, like a smith beats the blemishes out of metal?