Assigned To The Prince

Chapter Five

The doors of the servants’ quarters offered little comfort, but at least they kept the rest of the palace away.

I sat on my narrow cot, gently touching the reddish marks around my throat. Every swallow reminded me of how close I had come to dying in Talon's study.

Lily stood nearby, her eyes filled with worry. She handed me a wooden cup of water, which I drank eagerly to soothe my sore throat.

"You're lucky to be breathing, Karen," she whispered, glancing nervously at the door. "Have you really forgotten your place? Did you forget that he hates being replied to talk more of being challenged? Nobody survives looking him in the eye when he's that angry."

"I don't know what came over me," I rasped.

Despite the fear I felt, a stubborn part of me refused to give in. Talon had threatened me and nearly choked me to death, yet he had stopped. I couldn't understand why, but the memory of his hesitation stayed with me.

Before I could think further, a sharp knock sounded at the doorway.

Every servant in the room fell silent.

Lady Mira stood at the entrance, her pale blue dress immaculate and her expression stern. Her gaze settled directly on me.

"Karen. Up. Now."

My stomach tightened. I pushed myself off the cot, wincing as the movement pulled at the bruises on my neck. Lady Mira waited in the hallway before turning and motioning for me to follow.

We walked in silence, leaving the kitchens behind as we climbed the stone stairs toward the upper levels of the palace. When we reached a quiet alcove, she stopped and turned to face me.

"Do you have a death wish?" she asked.

"I didn't plan on angering him, Lady Mira."

"You didn't just anger him. You provoked a beast." She stepped closer, lowering her voice. "I don't know what has gotten into you lately, but if you want to survive in this palace, you must learn to keep your head down and your mouth shut."

I lowered my eyes, but she continued.

"His Majesty is not a man you can reason with. He rules through fear because that is all he knows. When you challenged him in front of the prince, you threatened the control he has over himself. If you cross that line again, no one will be able to save you."

Her warning stung because I knew she was right. My modern way of thinking wouldn't protect me in this world.

"I understand, Lady Mira," I murmured. "I won't overstep again."

Her expression softened slightly. She unclipped a set of silver keys from her belt and placed them in my hand.

"Good. His Majesty has ordered you to assist with the private chambers starting this evening. You will tend to the prince's quarters and the outer rooms of the royal suite. Work efficiently, speak only when spoken to, and make yourself invisible."

She turned and walked away, leaving me staring at the keys in my palm.

The private chambers.

Being assigned there might put me closer to danger, but it also meant I would be closer to Adin. The little boy needed someone in this palace who would treat him like a child instead of a future ruler.

An hour later, I stood outside the doors of the royal nursery wing. After taking a deep breath, I turned the silver key and pushed the door open.

The room was spacious, with tapestries and heavy furniture. A candle flickered on a desk, casting shadows across the floor.

Adin sat curled up in an oversized armchair near the unlit fireplace. His knees were pulled against his chest, and his face rested on them. He didn't look up when I entered.

My heart tightened at the sight of him. I remembered how frightened he had been at breakfast and how quickly his father's presence had silenced him.

Quietly, I set my cleaning tray on a nearby table and approached the chair.

"Your Highness?"

Adin flinched and lifted his head. His tear-filled eyes widened when he recognized me.

"You..." he whispered. "The mean lady said you were sent away. She said the King was going to punish you."

I knelt beside the chair, offering him a small smile.

"Well, the mean lady was wrong. I'm still here, and I'll be helping in this wing from now on."

Adin stared at me, his bottom lip trembling. His eyes kept returning to the door, as though he expected his father to appear.

"My father is angry with you," he whispered. "He doesn't like people who talk back to him. Everyone says so. If you stay here, he might hurt you again."

The concern in his voice touched me. I reached out and gently brushed my fingers against his small hand.

"Your father has a lot on his mind, Adin," I said carefully. "But you don't have to worry about me. Grown-ups sometimes disagree, and that isn't your fault."

He looked down at my hand before slowly wrapping his fingers around mine.

"Can we... can we read a story?" he asked. "The tutors only bring history books about past Alphas and battles. I don't like battles."

A genuine smile spread across my face.

"History and battles can wait. Tonight, let's read about a dragon who forgot how to breathe fire and learned to laugh instead."

Adin's eyes brightened.

I stood and picked a small, leather-bound fairy tale from the shelf before settling on the edge of his bed. As I began to read, the little prince moved closer, his attention fixed on the story.

For the first time since arriving in this dangerous palace, I saw the fear in his face begin to fade.

The threats surrounding me hadn't disappeared. Talon was still the ruthless king, Sodom was still hiding his secrets, and Jane's hostility remained.

But as Adin listened to the story, I knew one thing for certain.

I wouldn't let this little boy face the world alone.