LOGINWhen the full moon feast finally arrived, I got dressed in the usual white gown. Standing before the mirror, I examined my reflection.
There was nothing particularly different about my appearance, except that I had been permitted to leave my hair down tonight. It fell past my shoulders, giving me a warm glow.I wasn't sure I preferred it this way, considering I had spent so much time hiding my hair in the bonnet.Satisfied with my appearance, I stepped out of my rooMy body went rigid.Memories of that night came rushing back, one after another, and I tightened my grip on the wineglass in my hand. For a moment, it felt like I was back in the courtyard, with the commander forcing me and my brother to the ground.He killed my sister. He killed Sara.My eyes burned with tears. I couldn't believe the person responsible for my suffering these past months was standing before me, looking happy while I was dying inside.As I stared at him, recognition crossed his face. He excused himself from the man he was speaking with and approached me."You're the breeding slave appointed to Prince Lucian, aren't you?" he asked.I swallowed, forcing myself to remain calm through the storm raging inside me. "Yes."Did he recognize me?I studied his face for any sign that he remembered what had happened between us. Anger crawled beneath my skin. Of all the people in this kingdom, he was the one p
When the full moon feast finally arrived, I got dressed in the usual white gown. Standing before the mirror, I examined my reflection.There was nothing particularly different about my appearance, except that I had been permitted to leave my hair down tonight. It fell past my shoulders, giving me a warm glow.I wasn't sure I preferred it this way, considering I had spent so much time hiding my hair in the bonnet.Satisfied with my appearance, I stepped out of my room and headed for Lucian's.When I arrived, I found him already dressed in a black coat, looking through some documents on his desk. He looked up when he heard me enter, his eyes widening slightly.My gaze lingered on him as I took in his appearance."Your hair suits you better when it's down," he remarked.I smiled. "Thank you."Setting the documents on the table, he straightened and approached me. "Ready?""Yes."Making our way towa
The servant disappeared through the door and returned after some time, accompanied by Sylvia. As she approached the bed where I now lay, she looked me over with a cold gaze."How are you feeling?" she asked."I'm fine," I forced myself to say."Stop pretending, Rosewyn. I know you're not feeling well."She studied me for another moment before sighing. "The King intends to show you to his court at the full moon festival, and I won't have you embarrassing him or the Prince by falling sick in the middle of it. We should have the physician examine you first."She turned to the servant. "Go and fetch the physician."The girl bowed and hurried out.I wanted to protest, but I knew better than to argue.It wasn't long before the physician arrived. The royal palace had several physicians attending to its residents, and this one was a middle-aged man, different from the one who had made arrangements with Lucian to track m
Stepping inside the warm kitchen the next morning, I started to make Sylvia's tea. I lifted the kettle from the fire and poured the tea into the porcelain pot that Sylvia preferred. Steam danced upward as I set the pot on the tray beside a plate of honeyed biscuits and a white cup. I was already making my way out of the kitchen when I heard voices. "Have you noticed that she spends more time with the Prince than the Princess does?" "He hardly even regards the Princess at all. This is strange for a breeding girl like her." A frown appeared on my face, and I snapped my head toward the two servants at the washing sink. They froze as I looked, quickly tearing their gazes away and focusing on the pots they were scrubbing. I stared at them for a moment, my fingers tightening against the edge of the tray, before I walked away. Reaching Sylvia's room, I was about to
Realizing that acting dumb might have been a good idea after all, a smile appeared on my face."Your time is up. You may leave now."With that, I turned and headed for the door. But before I could reach it, Lucian's voice made me halt."In a few days, Blackthorne will celebrate the full moon festival with the goddess. The King wants you there with me to announce to his officials that you'll be the breeding mate to carry the future heirs.""I will look forward to it," I said, and opened the door.The following morning, I entered Sylvia's room carrying a tray of tea. As I stepped in, I found Manon standing at the wardrobe, pulling out a dress."My Lady, this would look beautiful on you.""You think?" Sylvia asked.Manon nodded.I set the tray down gently on the table and greeted the Princess as usual. I was about to leave when her voice stopped me."Rosewyn."I turned around. "Yes, my lady?""Come here. Take that brush and do my hair."I picked up the brush and walked to the chair, then
“Why should I be careful around her?” My brows furrowed with concern at his words. “She's one of the girls assigned to the King, you know.”“I'm aware of that,” he said. “But I do not trust her.”I wanted to argue with him, but I knew that could lead to another conversation I wasn't ready to have.“So, how was it?”“What?”“The meeting with the King,” I clarified. “How did it go?”“It went well,” he answered. “More rebels have been caught today. They're awaiting execution.”I swallowed hard, my hands gripping the sides of my gown as I thought of my brother.What if Kieran was among those preparing to be killed?I shook my head.Kieran wasn't a rebel. Even though he was extremely reckless, I knew my brother well enough to believe he wouldn't involve himself in something like that.Still, I couldn't push away the question echoing through my mind.Remembering Astrid's words and what she'd told me about Lucian, I began to wonder how the hell I was going to bring up the subject of my broth







