Mag-log inCaleb entered from the side pavilion. He had only intended to greet the foreign delegates before returning to his chambers.His body still hadn’t fully recovered; every movement reminded him of the need to be anywhere but here. Yet responsibilities had made that impossible.He had to show up to prove that all was well; these nobles could smell weakness from a mile away. So, for the sake of the kingdom, he needed to act the part. While moving through the crowd, he felt the familiar sensation of warmth, a hint of an olive scent.
The Moonlit Banquet. The words echoed inside my head long after the attendant had left my room.I remained seated on the edge of my bed, staring blankly at the moonlight spilling across the marble floor.It didn’t feel like an invitation at all. It felt more like an order to join a gathering of nobles in silk clothes.Bey stirred in me, stating, “You are nervous.” “I think I have every right to be,” I replied.“Good”I frowned. “Good?”“Well, a good amount of fear keeps a prey alive; having a sense of danger is important.”“Well, news flash, Bey, I am trying very hard not to be a prey”“Then stop thinking like one.”It was easy for Bey to give advice. She had claws to protect herself. What did I have to shield me from all those judgmental eyes? Maybe just confidence.A knock interrupted my thoughts, but before I could answer, four palace attendants entered. They wore immaculate silvery-red ceremonial gowns embroidered with the royal crest.Behind them was Lady Lydia. “The Queen awaits
I walked through the palace corridors long after Caleb had dismissed me, replaying every second of what had happened earlier. The moment he placed his hands on me, he suddenly stepped away as though I had burned him.The memory twisted painfully inside my chest.Watch your posture. His voice echoed inside my head, then that final, strange look. The one that carried something desperate before he turned and left.I hugged my arms around myself as I continued toward my room. "What is wrong with him?" I muttered."Nothing is wrong with him." A voice answered back. I stopped walking and looked around. The voice wasn't mine. Then I realized it was Bey. This was the first time she spoke to me so clearly, almost like another human.Being so engrossed in my thoughts, I had forgotten I was not really alone, not anymore. It was comforting to have her.“So you forgot about me, Gina, or should I call you Sheila?”I nearly jumped out of my skin at that. You know about my previous identity, too?"Wha
"So, what are you doing here? I thought your meetings would take the whole day" I asked curiously, I really was not expecting him to appear here suddenly.Caleb's expression shifted, and in answer, he said, "I was looking for you."My stomach tightened. "Why?"He folded his arms."I learned about the rumors going on in the palace and how you were mocked. I learned about you attending to Princess Lena’s guests, allowing them to ridicule you. As my personal maid, your etiquette and awareness are lacking, especially your thorough understanding of your duties and privileges of your position. This is truly unbecoming as I expected better from you.”I blinked. "What?" I stared in confusion; it felt like a thunderclap rang in my head. How did he even learn about Princess Lena’s invitation during the war? It seems there are people in this palace intent on seeking chaos, or was it those foppish guests of Lena?"You embarrass me." He
Mary left me to my thoughts not long after, and after a while, I turned in for the night since I needed to resume early at the prince’s side after the break I took from taking care of myself.By sunrise, everyone in the palace seemed to know about the incident with the maids. Though no one knew the actual truth, the rumors themselves spread faster than wildfire.The prince was fully recovered now, so he had already left for training. I am currently cleaning the prince's room, since he had already left instructions for me to be the one cleaning his room.The other maids had looked at me with envy as if cleaning dirt and lint for another person was an honorable job.Among the prince’s maids, cleaning the prince's room is actually the highest task a maid can be assigned. It means access to the prince's private spaces, a level of trust from the royal family, and the possibility of overhearing important information.For many, this duty is seen as a step above the others, granting special s
"What are you, Gina?"Mary's voice sounded distant to me, like it came from the other side of a storm.I stared at her, then at the two maids lying on the floor. It's blood, scratches, torn skin, and broken fingernails. One woman was sobbing uncontrollably.The other kept clawing at her own arms despite the blood dripping onto the marble floor."What happened?" I whispered.Neither maid answered, but they looked terrified. Terrified of me. I took a step backward.Mary grabbed my arm immediately."Gina. What happened to you?" Her face had gone pale. "I don't know," I replied.The corridor began to fill with people, who stared and whispered."No."One of the injured maids, Fiona, suddenly pointed at me."No..."Her voice shook violently. "Keep her away from me." The second maid began crying harder."The insects...""What insects?" a guard demanded."They were everywhere!" She grabbed her head. "Inside my skin!"My blood turned cold at her words ‘inside my skin.’A memory surfaced as I s
Chaos? The word sent a chill through me.She walked past me with her usual grace, making it clear the conversation was over. That was just like my mother, always asking questions, never giving answers, but still she expected her orders to be obeyed.But she is wrong this time.
POV: CalebMother summons again, her timing is always perfect. The knock from the guard had stopped me from doing what I had only imagined in my quiet times, when my self-control was taut, and my mind roved free in lust. Still, I know it can only delay the inevitable wanting and need that I have c
Oh, it's Mary, I haven’t seen her in a while now. “Ok, thank you, I will be right out,” I replied to the girl.







