Leofric’s POV The council chamber smelled of old wood, burning oil, and something stronger-The unspoken suspicion in the air. By afternoon, all the seats were filled, nobles in velvet cloaks embroidered with silver, council members in black. Every pair of eyes was fixed on me, waiting. Some with contempt. Some with pity. Others—my enemies—hungrily anticipating my failure. They had cornered me with rumors, insinuations that Morwenna was a spy, that her influence was weakening my rule. Their letters, crafted by Liora and Sera, had fanned fires of doubt even in my closest advisors. And yet, despite their machinations, I felt no fear. I felt only the slow burn of... something else. Disgust. The moment I entered, Councilman Rhosan rose, his eyes polite but cold. “Your Majesty,” he began, voice careful . “We only wish to ensure that your decisions—” I raised a hand. The guards fell silent. Even the torches seemed to dim, as though the room respected my c
Morwenna's POV.The morning in the breeding chambers was harsh acasting every fault, every worry line on my skin into sharp relief. I traced my fingers over the silver ring Leofric had left at my cot, as if its cold metal could prevent the storm that was coming.Liora is here, they whispered in the corridors. She is here, and she does not come alone.I didn’t know whether to dread the day or greet it with anger. In either case, I felt empty. The other breeders kept their distance now, their eyes moving over to me in fear and pity. I knew they blamed me for the King’s change, even if they couldn’t say it aloud.By midmorning, Lira appeared at my door. Her face was softer than usual, but her eyes still firm. “You should rest,” she said. “Or at least eat.”I shook my head. “I need air.”She studied me for a moment, then nodded once. “Be careful.”I slipped out, my cloak pulled tight, and made my way through empty halls . Guards stood at attention everywhere, their spears sharp
Morwenna's POVI didn’t sleep that night.Even long after he left the chamber.Even long after the candles melted down.He didn’t touch me.Not once.But I felt branded all over again.Not by claws, or blood, or court ceremony—but by words.“I want you to want it.”They echoed in my skull.Not cruel.Not kind.Just honest.Too honest.When I returned to the breeding chambers, the others looked at me differently.Not with pity.Not entirely with fear.Curiosity now.Suspicion even.Even Sabine gave me a glance that stayed too long.“What happened?” she finally asked that morning as I sat at the water basin, scrubbing at skin that felt too warm, too awake.I didn’t answer.Because I didn’t know.Because nothing happened.And that was what terrified me.************Te King did not summon me the next day.Or the next.Or the one after that.He vanished.Not from the castle.No, his presence filled every corner.But from me.And the longer the silence stretched, the more the court began
Morwenna's POVThe question hung between us, as sharp as a blade.What do I want?Do I want power… or just revenge?Leofric’s eyes didn’t waver.They searched mine like he already knew the answer, like he was daring me to say it aloud.But I said nothing.I still Couldn’t.Because the truth was, I didn’t know anymore.I turned away first, but I could still feel the his eyes on my back as I whispered,"I don’t want to be used by anyone. Not them. Not you.”His footsteps were quiet as he returned to the fireplace. He didn’t speak again.And I wasn’t dismissed.I simply left, without permission, without punishment.He just let me go.That, somehow, was more terrifying than if he’d ordered me to stay.**********The next day, the castle was quiet.Unnaturally so.Servants moved faster, guards stood taller.Whispers no longer followed me openly; instead, they died the moment I entered a room.That afternoon, Lira arrived at the breeding chamber with three handmaids behind her.They carr
Morwenna's POV.Whispers filled the halls freelyThe Omega cots sat like gravestones—row after row of bodies too tired to dream, too afraid to speak. But I didn’t sleep.I sat upright in bed, holding tightly the edge of my blanket, replaying every word Lira had said."They think you’re influencing him.""They want answers.""And soon, they would want blood."I’d barely eaten all day.My mouth still tasted of ash from the rumors that clung to me like a cloth.Elda hadn’t spoken.Sabine wouldn’t look at me.Even Lira’s silence screamed judgment.*************At dawn, I was summoned.No reason given.No time to prepare.The guards who arrived didn’t speak.Their hands were stiff on my arms, but they weren’t cruel. Just… tense. Like they feared what touching me might cost.We passed nobles in the corridors, in corners.They stared as I passed.I heard my name on their tongues.Not Morwenna.Not breeder.They called me poison.I was led up into the northern tower, a part of the castle I
Morwenna's POV.Lira’s words haunted me long after she left because I knew she was right."You’re the only one he hasn’t touched. That’s dangerous."They echoed in my mind as I lay in my cot, pretending to sleep.Around me, the other breeders whispered in the dark, quiet murmurs of fear and even pain .But no one spoke to me.Not anymore.I had become something different in their eyes.Not favored.Not free.Marked.The days passed, and those days came with stares.In the hall, in the corridors—we were always watched.Always guarded.But now, I felt eyes that held more than suspicion.They burned with questions I couldn't answer.Why hadn’t he called me again?Why hadn’t he taken me?And worse—why had he stopped taking them after?**********It was during the third day of silence when the noble found me.I was alone in the gallery passage, I was given the task of sweeping dust from paintings older than most kingdoms.The halls were wide and echoing , the guards unusually absent.I di