CHAPTER EIGHT: FIRM DECISIONS

CHAPTER EIGHT

“Can you hear me?”

The voice was soft, gentle. My eyelids fluttered open, and the first thing I saw was an old man with gray hair leaning over me. His wrinkled face looked kind, but his eyes carried worry.

“Where… where am I?” I asked, my throat dry.

He smiled faintly. “You’re in your room, my Queen.”

My room.

I turned my head slowly, and realization hit me like a slap. Elara’s room. The silk sheets, the carved golden mirrors, the faint scent of lavender oil in the air,it wasn’t my world. It was hers.

For a moment I thought I was back to the 21st century 

“Can you see me?” the man asked again, as if he wasn’t sure I was really awake.

“Yes. Yes, I can.” I pushed myself up immediately. My head throbbed, but the memories rushed back like water breaking through a dam.

The fear. Alaric. His voice calling my name. Or had that been my imagination?

“Did… did the King come?” I asked quickly.

The man nodded. “He did, my Queen. But he left a while ago. He returned to his chambers.”

Of course he did.

“I see,” I muttered, looking down at my hands. My fingers trembled a little.

He hesitated, watching me. “You were”

“I’m fine,” I cut him off. “Just a little headache. Nothing to worry about.”

He opened his mouth again, but I spoke before he could. “My mum’s a nurse. I know what to do.”

He blinked at me, confused. “Your… mother, my Queen?”

And that’s when it hit me. My mum. My real mum. The one back home. I hadn’t thought about her since I woke up in this strange world. What was she doing right now? Was she crying? Was she looking for me?

My chest ached at the thought.

“I’m fine,” I whispered again, more to myself this time.

“You can leave,” I said finally.

He bowed low. “Yes, my Queen. I left some medicine on the table”

“I don’t need it. Take it away.”

He nodded and walked out quietly.

“Valarie,” I called.

She rushed in immediately, her expression filled with guilt. “Yes, my Queen?”

“I’m sorry, my lady,” she said, bowing deeply. “We failed to protect you. The guards on duty have been thrown in the dungeon. And the lady who tried to harm you… she has been captured.”

I froze. “You arrested them?”

“Yes, my Queen.”

“Release the guards,” I said calmly.

Her head shot up. “My Queen?”

“Release them. They were only following orders. I’ll go meet the girl myself later.”

She hesitated but nodded. “As you wish, my Queen.”

She stepped closer, wringing her hands nervously. “You haven’t eaten since yesterday. I ordered the royal kitchen to prepare something special.”

As soon as she mentioned food, my stomach betrayed me with a loud rumble.

Valarie smiled faintly. Moments later, two maids entered with silver trays. The aroma filled the room instantly, boiled chicken, soft potatoes swimming in thick, creamy porridge. My mouth watered before I could even touch the spoon.

I ate quietly, savoring every bite. For a moment, it was almost peaceful. Warm. Real. But even as I ate, my mind drifted elsewhere.

Alaric.

Where was he? Why hadn’t he come to see me? I almost died out there, and he just went back to his chambers like nothing happened?

I shouldn’t care. I really shouldn’t. But I did.

When I was done eating, I leaned back against the headboard, my fingers brushing the rim of the golden cup beside me. My thoughts were spinning when the door creaked open again.

A servant entered, holding a small bouquet of flowers. The petals were fresh, pink and white, tied neatly with a silver ribbon.

“My Queen,” she said softly. “It’s from the King’s mother. She wishes you a swift recovery.”

“Oh,” I said under my breath, a little smirk touching my lips. “The infamous queen mother.”

“She also sent a note,” the girl added, placing the bouquet on the table.

A note.

I reached for it carefully. It was sealed with a red wax mark, shaped like a rose. I broke it open and unfolded the paper. The handwriting was elegant, sharp, every stroke deliberate.

“ What’s happening to you? Meet me at 9 p.m. My chambers.

I stared at the words, reading them again and again. My heartbeat quickened.

Was this a trap? Or an opportunity?

Either way, it was time.

I placed the note back inside the bouquet and looked out the window. The sun was already starting to sink behind the towers, casting long shadows over the palace grounds. The evening breeze carried a strange calmness, but underneath it, something stirred.

“Prepare my dress,” I said to Valarie without looking back.

“My Queen?”

“At nine, I have somewhere to be.”

And tonight, I was going to remind them of that.

Because if Elara’s dad and his mother thought they could keep playing their royal games with me, they were about to learn that I was no pawn.