Chapter 4: Sweet Power

SERENE’S POV

Eloisa entered the room as if she owned it, and my blood started boiling immediately.

"Allow me to introduce Lady Eloisa Bran-" the eunuch started to say.

"I already know who she is," I cut in, my voice sharp enough to make him flinch. "I don't need an introduction."

Eloisa's smile faltered for just a second before she recovered it, curtsying low and graceful. Somehow, even the mere sight of that seemed to annoy me more than usual. 

Her smile was brighter than the sun, and she stepped forward. "Your Majesty, how are you? I'm so glad to see you.” 

I shrugged. “I could be better.”

Her smile faltered again, and I could see the looks the attendants were shooting me, but I could not care any less. 

“I just wanted to let you know that the wedding preparations are coming along beautifully, and I wanted to discuss our honeymoon.” She clasped her hands and sighed. “I know you said that you didn’t want to rush…” 

The more she talked, the more the memories came flooding back. 

I could see her standing in front of the maids, pointing at me and swearing I had stolen her family's heirloom. 

 I could still feel the guards dragging me away; the spiked whip cut through my skin over and over while she watched, her perfect face unmoved. 

“Please,” I had begged. “Please, I’m innocent.”

I couldn't take it anymore.

"How do you stand to be so fake?" The words tore out of me before I could help it. "Every word that comes out of your mouth is a lie, wrapped up in a pretty smile and dressed up in silk, but underneath? You're nothing but a liar.”

I crossed my arms against my chest, pinning her with a glare. “You’re a fraud. A desperate little girl pretending to be something she's not."

The whole room went silent, and Eloisa's smile crumbled. Her eyes started to glisten, and I saw her chin tremble like she was about to cry.

"Why are you being so mean to me?" she whispered, her voice breaking. “Did something upset you today?”

I stepped forward, and I could feel the power radiating off of me now. It was the power of his body… the power to hurt someone the way she had hurt me.

"That trick won't work on me," I said coldly. "Your tears don't mean anything."

She flinched as if I had hit her.

"We're done," I announced, putting distance between us. “And I mean our engagement. It's over. I'm ending it."

Eloisa's face went white; her mouth opened and closed repeatedly. "What? No, you're... you're joking, right?” She looked around and scoffed in disbelief. “Lucas, you're joking."

But I wasn't joking. I had never been more serious in my entire life.

"Guards," I called out, gesturing toward the doors. "Escort Lady Brandon out."

She gasped, her hands flying to her mouth while her eyes were wide. I didn’t spare her a look, my hard glare fixed on the door. 

"Your Majesty, please," the eunuch stepped forward, his hands clasped together pleadingly. "Perhaps you should reconsider; you're clearly upset about something, but marriage to the Brandons is a political necessity, surely we can discuss-"

"Out," I said, cutting him off without even looking at him. "All of you. Now."

The guards walked into the room while the eunuch kept pleading for me to reconsider. 

“Let me go!” Eloisa screamed the moment the guards touched her arm. “Don’t fucking touch me, let me… Lucas!”

She fought against them, demanding to be released and begging me to change my mind, but I just stood there and watched her get dragged away with a cold expression.

And I loved it.

The second everyone left and the doors shut behind them, my legs gave out completely.

"Oh my gods," I whispered, sliding down onto the nearest chair. "Oh my gods, what did I just do?"

I started screaming internally, patting my face with his hands, my mind spiraling in a thousand different directions at once. 

I had just broken a royal engagement and humiliated the most powerful family in the kingdom. 

ods... I had probably made enemies who could have me executed without a second thought.

But then another thought crept in.

I had actually done it.

Eloisa Brandon had cried. She had begged, and she hadn't even realized she was pleading with a lowly maid.

A laugh escaped me before I could stop it. It grew louder until I was doubled over, shaking with it. I pushed to my feet and spun around the room, arms stretched wide, grinning like a madwoman as excitement replaced the fear.

This was it. This was my moment. Maybe fate really was giving me a chance to turn my life around. 

Then, the door burst open, and I jumped about a foot in the air, my heart launching into my throat.

When I turned to the doorway, there was a man with a scarred face and a fierce look in his eyes that screamed violence.

I knew that look. I had seen it one time too many. 

"Who… who are you?” I stammered, stumbling backward. "Did the Brandons send you? Are you here to-to kill me?”

I knew I had rejoiced too early. My heart was pounding anxiously now, and I felt sick to my stomach. 

The man stared at me for a brief second, surprise flickering across his scarred face as though he couldn't believe I'd asked that. Then he quickly recovered, dropped to one knee, and bowed his head. 

"Your Majesty," he said, his voice gravelly and rough. "I am Killian, your loyal guard. I came to see if you're alright."

I paused and looked at him properly. Killian? My loyal guard?

The ragged scar on his face stood out to me, and suddenly, it hit me. I had seen him around the King before, always hovering in the background and watching the King’s every move.

He was the rumored guard dog of the King whom everyone revered. 

My fear melted into relief, and I laughed, shaking my head. "Oh, how are you?"

Killian stood up slowly, and there was something grim in his expression now. "I heard about your decision, Your Majesty. Ending your engagement with Lady Brandon."

"Word travels fast," I said, surprised. "But yes, I did."

I expected him to nag me like the eunuch had and then list all the reasons why breaking an engagement with one of the kingdom's most powerful families was a terrible idea.

Instead, he laughed. He actually laughed.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty," he said, bowing slightly. "That woman was insufferable. I'm glad to see you finally came to your senses."

Shock washed over me, and I just stood there for a moment, basking in his praise like it was the warmest sun I had ever felt. 

Someone was actually happy about this. I smiled, feeling quite proud of myself.  

"Are you prepared to face the Brandon family's rage?" Killian suddenly asked, and his voice had turned serious again. "They won't take this lightly."

I hadn't thought about that. In truth, I hadn't thought about much of anything except the satisfaction of saying no to her.

"I… well, I-" I stammered, suddenly aware that I had made a huge mistake without considering the consequences.

"Your Majesty," an attendant appeared at the door, bowing. "It's time for your court meeting with the ministers."

Killian turned to me with a knowing look. "First, you'll have to deal with the court ministers, Your Majesty. They won't be pleased about this."

I swallowed hard, the weight of my impulsive decision suddenly very real.

What the heck had I just done?