Thirty

Damian

I stormed down the empty palace corridor, fists clenched tight with outrage I could no longer contain. The day's endless vexations had finally tipped me over the edge into a rare open temper.

That a palace slave would dare attempt to serve me dumplings, knowing full well I detested them since childhood, was beyond incompetent. It was a targeted insult, though I could not fathom the cause.

Either way, such insubordination could not stand unanswered. There were protocols in place for dealing with recalcitrant servants who overstepped boundaries. I would see them enforced to the letter, and find the root of this affront.

Bursting into the administrative wing, I sent for my assistant Kyle and began pacing as I awaited him.

"How dare she."

Speculation roiled in my mind. Surely the girl Natalia was not foolish enough to attempt such blatant sabotage. She seemed flighty at times, but not malicious.

"Why? Why would she it is clearly in my meal timetable."

Which meant someone else wa