008

NORA POV

I knew I couldn’t just lie there all day. I pushed myself up, but when I looked down, I realized I was in pajamas — soft, clean, Someone must have changed me while I was out.

I scolded myself silently. You slept like you were dead. My mouth was dry, bitter like old medicine. I couldn’t just walk out like this.

I shuffled into the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face. The chill woke me up, but it didn’t calm the nerves twisting in my stomach.

Now I kept pacing by the door, trying to build courage, I needed to step out of the room. Twice, three times, my hand hovered over the door handle. Every time I wanted to step out, my heart hammered louder.

On my fourth try, the door suddenly swung open from outside. I stumbled forward, crashing into a solid chest—Derek’s chest. Before I could catch my balance, a maid carrying a bowl of warm water lost her grip and water spilled everywhere.

Panic took over. I dropped to my knees, hands shaking as I scrambled to scoop the water back, mumbling, “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, please—”

My voice broke over itself, shame burning my cheeks. The maid looked ready to snap, but then a hand landed gently on my shoulder, pulling me up.

“It’s just water,” Derek said quietly, smiling like it was no big deal.

The maid smiled too, but my mind went somewhere darker. Back at the packhouse, this would have been a disaster. Vanessa and Anna wouldn’t have held back—the insults, the slaps, the public humiliation.

The memory hit me like a punch. Suddenly, my throat tightened and the tears came fast. I was sobbing before I could stop it.

Derek’s eyes went wide, confused for a moment. Then he wrapped me in a firm hug, holding me close.

“It’s okay,” he whispered. “You’re safe.”

I buried my face into his chest, feeling the weight of everything I’d tried to hold back crashing down. For once, I didn’t fight the tears.

I stayed in Derek’s arms for a long moment, letting the sobs shake me loose.

Slowly, I pulled back, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand. My cheeks were wet and burning. I looked up at him, still trying to steady my voice.

“Sorry,” I whispered, “I didn’t mean to lose it.”

He shook his head, soft. “You don’t have to apologize for that.”

His golden eyes held something gentle, something patient I hadn’t seen before. It made my heart clench and ache at the same time.

After a breath, I took a step back, suddenly aware of the mess on the floor. The warm water was still pooled near my knees, the maid hovering quietly, watching us with a small smile.

“I’ll clean it,” I said quickly, reaching for what to use, but Derek stopped me.

“Let it be,” he said, his voice firm but kind. “You’ve done enough.”

I hesitated but nodded. My legs felt weak, but I wanted to stand tall. I swallowed the lump in my throat and tried to steady my shaking hands.

“Thank you,” I murmured, barely loud enough for him to hear.

Derek’s smile was faint, but real. “Come on, let’s get you something to eat. You need strength.”

I nodded, following him

I followed Derek down the hall, the soft carpet muffling our footsteps. The palace felt enormous and unfamiliar, every corner filled with quiet luxury, no single building at the packhouse stay close to this…

I kept pulling at the sleeves of the pyjamas, trying to ignore the way my skin felt exposed. 

We reached a small dining room, warm light spilling from a chandelier above a polished wooden table. A woman in a neat uniform was already setting a plate in front of a chair.

“Breakfast,” Derek said simply. “Eat. You need it.”

I sat down cautiously, eyeing the food like it was a strange ritual. Fresh fruit, soft bread, honey—things I hadn’t tasted in years.

I picked up a piece of bread and took a small bite. The flavors were unfamiliar but good. 

Derek watched me quietly, then broke the silence. “You don’t have to pretend with me.”

His words hit harder than I expected. Pretend? I didn’t even realize I was doing it.

I looked up, meeting his eyes. “I’m scared,” I admitted. “Everything’s moving too fast. I don’t know if I can keep up.”

He nodded slowly. “You don’t have to be perfect. Not here. Not with me.”

Something inside me cracked open. The walls I’d built around myself, brick by brick, began to crumble.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and said, “Thank you, Derek.”

He gave me a small smile—the kind that felt like a promise.

“Isn’t this beautiful….awww…oh my heart,” a bright, melodic voice called from behind us.

I turned just in time to see the princess herself glide into the room, radiant as ever. Derek let out an exasperated sigh and wiped his face with the back of his hand, like he was used to dealing with this kind of dramatic energy.

I watched her closely. She looked like a goddess, skin glowing like polished ivory, smooth and flawless. Her eyes were large and bright, like twin stars that somehow softened the sharpness of her confident smile. Every movement was graceful, effortless, like she belonged to a different world entirely.

Her dress shimmered subtly in the morning light, delicate lace hugging her slender frame. When she smiled at me, it was warm, full of genuine kindness.

I swallowed, feeling a mix of awe and nerves. 

The princess stepped closer, her eyes sparkling with curiosity as she looked me over. “You really are something else,” she said softly, tilting her head with a playful smile. “Strong, enough to capture my brother heart.”

Her words surprised me, and I fought the urge to pull back. Instead, I nodded slightly, still on edge but somehow comforted by her warmth.

Derek cleared his throat, breaking the moment. “Lyra, give her some space. She’s need to eat”

Lyra waved him off with a grin. “Relax, brother. I’m just trying to be friendly.”

Lyra was a breath of fresh air - funny, playful, and full of life. She kept teasing Derek and making jokes that had me quietly smiling beneath the surface. Just when I was starting to relax, the door opened again.

Garrick stepped in.

The way Lyra’s face lit up was like watching the sun rise. She practically ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck. The warmth between them was clear, these two were mates.

Derek watched them with a smirk, then shot Garrick a joking warning. “Behave yourself, or I’ll have to remind you who’s boss here.”

Garrick just laughed, squeezing Lyra tight without a care.

Before I could take it all in, the door opened once more.

An older woman came in, graceful and regal. Lyra dropped into her arms like a child and called her “Mama” with such love it made me catch my breath.

I quickly bowed in greeting. The woman’s eyes were kind, but I could tell she held power, not the kind that commands fear, but respect.

She smiled softly at me. “I’ll help you get used to this place,” she said gently. “There’s a lot to learn, and you’ll need to understand how things work here.”

This place felt different from anything I’d imagined. Derek didn’t act like a king in front of his family. There was laughter, teasing — even the maid moved around without fear.

But then I remembered the other side of Derek, the one I saw earlier today when he clashed with his mother. That darker edge still lingered in my mind.