Chapter Four

Later That Night

Adele couldn't sleep.

Her heart was filled with fear, questions, and doubt.

"Is Blair really Kieka's daughter?"

She stared into the darkness.

"But Kieka wasn't pregnant before she left the palace."

Adele shook her head.

"No. I must be overthinking this."

Then she remembered the pink butterfly tattoo.

Adele's eyes widened.

"But that tattoo..."

She covered her face with her hands.

"No. She can't be Kieka's daughter."

Adele continued asking herself questions, but she couldn't find any answers.

Eventually, exhaustion overcame her, and she fell asleep.

At the Palace

Echoing footsteps approached Queen Camille's chamber.

It was Lady Kay, Queen Camille's right-hand woman.

Lady Kay stopped in front of the two maids guarding the entrance.

"Announce that I'm here," she ordered.

One of the maids bowed.

"Your Majesty, Lady Kay is asking for an audience."

"Let her in," Queen Camille replied from inside.

The door opened, and Lady Kay stepped into the chamber with her head bowed and both hands placed respectfully across her stomach.

Queen Camille looked at her coldly.

"How is the assignment I gave you? Any results?"

"The assassin went to Adele's house, Your Majesty, but he couldn't find her," Lady Kay replied.

"And the evidence?"

"They couldn't find it, Your Majesty."

Queen Camille leaned back in her chair.

"Ah... I thought as much. Adele is good at hiding things, but she won't be able to hide forever."

She picked up the small cup of alcohol in front of her and took a slow sip.

"But, Your Majesty," Lady Kay said cautiously, "this matter concerning Adele has been going on for over twenty years. Why are you still worried about her? I don't think Adele can harm you with that evidence."

Queen Camille's expression darkened.

"Hmm."

She placed the cup down.

"This is the time the king is looking for the person qualified to become Crown Prince between the two princes."

She leaned forward.

"What if Adele suddenly appears and exposes my secrets?"

Lady Kay remained silent.

"I can't let that happen," Queen Camille continued. "Do you even have any idea whether Adele has a daughter? I'm beginning to doubt that she kept that pregnancy."

"No, Your Majesty," Lady Kay replied. "I'm the one who gave her the abortion drug before she fled the palace."

Queen Camille stared at her.

"Adele thinks she can hide forever."

A wicked smile slowly appeared on her face.

"But her story is going to end soon."

"What about Kieka? Any news about her?" Queen Camille asked seriously.

"No, Your Majesty. I believe she met her death when she ran away from the palace."

Queen Camille laughed coldly.

"I guess she wasn't as strong as Adele."

She leaned back in her chair.

"As for Adele, she must die. Whether we find the evidence or not, she must be killed before the end of the new maids' selection ceremony."

Lady Kay slowly raised her head and stared at the Queen.

How can someone be this wicked? she thought.

Queen Camille's eyes narrowed.

"And you must not leave the palace for now. There's another job I need you to handle."

"Okay, Your Majesty," Lady Kay replied, bowing her head.

"You may leave."

"Okay, Your Majesty."

Lady Kay bowed once more and took her leave.

As she walked away from the Queen's chamber, one thought kept repeating in her mind.

Adele must die before the maid selection ceremony ends.

And neither Adele nor Anna knew that danger was already moving toward them.

The Following Morning

Princess Elle walked through the palace grounds with twelve maids trailing behind her in a neat row. She smiled as she breathed in the fresh morning air, and a few maids bowed as she passed.

On her way to the royal training field, she saw Prince Pavan approaching with Demille, his only friend.

She smiled at the sight of her brother, but her heart fluttered the moment her eyes landed on Demille.

"Good morning, brother," Elle called as they passed her.

Pavan didn't answer. His face was set, his eyes fixed straight ahead, as though he hadn't seen her at all.

"Morning, my princess," Demille said instead, bowing his head.

Elle turned and watched their backs as they walked on, then let out a sharp sigh.

"He's impossible to predict," she muttered to herself. "How can he act like we're strangers?"

She was about to turn away when someone called her name.

"My lady!"

Elle looked back to see Maye, her personal maid, hurrying toward her.

"My lady." Maye bowed, hands folded respectfully across her stomach, breathless as though she'd been chased the whole way.

"What happened?" Elle asked, alarmed.

"Princess Queme came to your quarters asking for you."

"Queme's in the palace?" Elle's face lit up.

"Yes, my lady. She's waiting there now."

Elle turned at once and hurried back the way she'd come. Along the way, she spotted Knight in the distance, heading toward the King's quarters.

"Why is he going to see Father?" she wondered. "Did he request an audience?"

She let the thought go and continued on to her chamber. The moment she opened the door, Queme's face broke into a smile.

"Queme!" Elle called out happily.

"Elle!" Queme rushed to meet her, matching her energy exactly, and the two embraced tightly.

"I missed you," Queme said.

"I missed you too."

They let go and settled into the chairs across from each other.

"You couldn't even check on me for two months," Elle said, a little wounded.

"I'm sorry. Father wouldn't let me leave the palace — he wanted me to marry his friend's son. It took a lot of begging before he'd even hear my side. I told him there was someone else my heart wanted."

"Your father can be so mean."

"He gave in after two months, but only on one condition." Queme held up a second finger. "I have until the end of six months to present the man to him."

"And who is this man your heart is yearning for?" Elle asked, already smiling — already knowing.

"Your brother, of course," Queme admitted, a little shy.

"Which one?" Elle teased.

"Pavan."

"I thought as much." Elle burst out laughing, then sobered. "But you know Pavan doesn't care about women — not even me, his own sister. What makes you think he'll care about you?"

"I think he will, if I show him I love him."

"Maybe it's because you're his stepsister that's why he's keeping his distance from you," Queme said.

"Maybe. But I don't think that's really him. Whenever I'm near him, I feel something good — I can't explain it," Elle said.

"He frowns at everyone and breaks half the rules in this palace, and you still feel good energy around him?" Queme asked, unable to hide her amusement.

Then she shrugged, unbothered by her own teasing. "Still — I like him, and I'll do whatever it takes to make him mine."

Elle smiled at her friend. "You really have made up your mind about him, haven't you?"

"I have."

"Then I wish you the best of luck," Elle said.

"Wait — where's Knight? I didn't see him when I came in," Queme asked.