MasukAs long as she and her brother Maxwell kept silent, no one would ever find Kelly.
“If I were you,” Caitlin said quietly, “I’d start talking now. It might save you a few layers of skin.”
Somehow, a leather whip had appeared in her hand. A chilling glint flickered in her eyes.
The cell door creaked open. Heather stumbled back in panic. “What are you doing? You can’t torture me! I’m the queen!”
“You’re nothing now.” Caitlin’s voice cut through the air like ice. “I heard it was you who caused the accident that crippled the king. You tore him apart from my mother and destroyed their lives for your own greed. It’s time you paid for it.”
The whip cracked.
Heather screamed as it
The next morning, Caitlin served breakfast to the king and the prince. Before leaving for the memorial ceremony, Leif VI suddenly said, “Agnes, you and Margaret will change into formal uniforms and come with me.”He deliberately brought both maids to avoid drawing unwanted attention.Caitlin exchanged a surprised look with Margaret. Magnus noticed her hesitation and reminded her, “His Majesty has given permission. Go get ready.”“Yes, Your Majesty.”They returned to their quarters and changed into uniforms similar to those worn by female guards. Margaret could hardly contain her excitement, whispering nonstop on the way.“I still can’t believe it! We actually get to accompany His Majesty to such a ceremony.”“Remember, this is a solemn state event,” Caitlin warned. “You’d better keep quiet.”“I know, I know. I’ll behave.”
No matter how Caitlin questioned her, Heather’s voice stayed cold and unyielding. “I told you, I don’t know. I’ll take it to my grave.”As long as she and her brother Maxwell kept silent, no one would ever find Kelly.“If I were you,” Caitlin said quietly, “I’d start talking now. It might save you a few layers of skin.”Somehow, a leather whip had appeared in her hand. A chilling glint flickered in her eyes.The cell door creaked open. Heather stumbled back in panic. “What are you doing? You can’t torture me! I’m the queen!”“You’re nothing now.” Caitlin’s voice cut through the air like ice. “I heard it was you who caused the accident that crippled the king. You tore him apart from my mother and destroyed their lives for your own greed. It’s time you paid for it.”The whip cracked.Heather screamed as it
Maxwell went to the royal palace to find his sister and learn what was going on, but as soon as he reached the palace gates, the guards stopped him.“Lord Maxwell, Her Majesty is currently away and has not yet returned. Please come back another day.”“She hasn’t come back?”Maxwell frowned. The last time he saw Heather had been at the lakeside villa, when he’d arranged for a young man to keep her company. Could she really have stayed there all this time?He tried calling her phone, but there was no answer. After waiting for a few moments, he turned on his heel, climbed into his car, and ordered his driver to head for the villa.When he arrived, he found the servants and guards standing outside. “Is the queen inside?” he asked.“Lord Maxwell, the queen left long ago,” one of them said.“Left? Where did she go?”Maxwell didn’t know that everyone h
Heather hurriedly threw on her clothes and stumbled out of the villa, only to freeze at the sight before her.Leif VI sat in his wheelchair outside, his back straight and cold as stone. At his feet, the young man she had been with lay sprawled on the ground, bloodied and trembling. Magnus and several guards stood nearby, the atmosphere grim and suffocating. The metallic scent of blood filled the air.A chill ran up Heather’s spine, draining the color from her face.“Your Majesty…” she stammered, her voice shaking.Leif VI turned his head slightly, his expression ice-cold. His voice came out flat, deadly calm. “Cut off his hands.”“Ah—Your Majesty, please! Mercy, please!” the young man screamed in terror, but the king did not even glance his way.Two guards stepped forward. The sound of a blade slicing through flesh was followed by a horrifying scream that echoed across the courtyar
That evening, Caitlin prepared several classic dishes for dinner.In the royal dining hall, the king was already seated, with Magnus beside him. Servants carried in the dishes one by one. The rich aromas filled the air, and Magnus’s eyes lit up as he looked at the food—especially the ones Caitlin had cooked.“Father, you must try these. They’re truly special.”Leif VI tasted each dish in turn. With every bite, his expression softened, his eyes brightening. “Excellent,” he said quietly. “Truly excellent.”It wasn’t just the flavor—it was the feeling. The warmth, the familiarity—it took him back to years ago, when Kelly would cook for him. The taste, the care, the memory of that time. It all came rushing back.His throat tightened. For a moment, his vision blurred. He had never dared hope for such a thing—to eat his daughter’s cooking, even under disguise. He fe
The head housekeeper made a slow round through the room, flipping through everyone’s files before speaking. “All single women, step forward.”Those who were unmarried looked thrilled as they took a step ahead. They thought being single would make them the most desirable choice. But the next words out of the housekeeper’s mouth crushed that hope. “You’re all dismissed. Step back.”The single women froze for a moment, then walked out, faces pale with disappointment. Only a dozen women remained, all of them married.The housekeeper walked past them, stopping to point at a few. “You, you, and you. Step forward.”The chosen women looked respectable and well-kept. Even with age, their features hinted at the beauty they once had. But they, too, were dismissed.One woman dared to ask why. The housekeeper gave her a cold look. “You may be married, but you reek of perfume and powder. The royal







