A week past and the palace became to feel like a hell. I genuinely couldn't figure out why that was, but I was guessing. His Highness was still refusing to talk to me, he didn't send any messages and I hadn't been seeing Beta Kristen around too. They all just ignored me like I was a piece of shit. This was really what I wanted but why did it hurt so much that the king was ignoring me. I waited and anticipated the king's summon but I got none. Infact, the food supplements he usually sent had reduced and no maids were allowed to come to my chamber any longer. Calling the king by his actual name could have worked - When I mentioned his name, he was so still and I could see how comfortable he felt in his eyes. But he was so exasperated at the moment, that he didn't care. He grabbed my arm and threw me out of his chamber, closing the door behind him. That was embarrassing but I didn't feel that anger towards him, I was more angry at myself as I remembered that moment I volunteered to ki

As consciousness slowly seeped into my mind, I felt a pounding ache in my head. Groaning, I forced myself to sit up, my eyes squinting against the harsh light that filled the dungeon. The air was cold, the stone walls damp and unforgiving. Rubbing my temples, I took in my surroundings. The cell was small, barely enough room for me to stretch my legs. The heavy iron door loomed in front of me, ominously blocking any hope of escape. Panic gripped me as I realized I was still trapped, imprisoned like a common criminal. What the fuck was wrong with these guards? They knew it was me and still imprisoned me? I staggered to my feet, an overwhelming sense of desperation flooding my veins. In a futile attempt, I slammed my fist against the door, shouting for help. My voice echoed through the silence of the dungeon, but there was no response. Only a haunting stillness. Minutes turned into hours as I continued to bang on the door, my cries for help growing more desperate with each

Kristen's voice emitted a strong undertone of anger and frustration, causing me to instinctively recoil. The weight of his words pressed upon me, reminding me that he was still deeply disappointed about our previous encounter. Though I lacked the opportunity to fully justify my actions, I pondered whether his words held genuine concern. Could it truly be impossible for the king to take action if I were to report Daphne? Raising my gaze, I found myself locking eyes with Kristen, his stare intense and piercing. However, I consciously made the decision to focus on the familiar eyes of the beta Kristen I had always known, seeking a sense of normalcy in our interaction. "Why did you say that?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "Were you not considering informing the king about her actions? I must caution you against making such a grave error. Daphne is an exceptionally formidable adversary, and if you fail to disregard her, you may find yourself regretting it," he

As the moon festival drew to a close, my weariness engulfed me like a heavy shroud. The vibrant energy that had animated the courtyard now dissipated, leaving me longing for the solace of my chamber. I made my way towards the path leading back, eager for some much-needed rest. However, the peace I sought was shattered as soon as I glimpsed the figure of the king approaching. Dread knotted my stomach. Would he finally offer an apology for abandoning me and not looking for where I could have gone? But as he drew nearer, I saw an unwavering determination etched upon his face, and my hopes dwindled. The king stopped before me, his intense gaze fixed upon mine. "Melina," he began, his voice tinged with a hint of sternness. "Would you honor me by joining in for dinner in the dining hall?" For a moment, silence hung in the air, I hesitated, grappling with conflicting emotions. "Your Majesty," I finally replied, the words hesitant on my lips. "I appreciate the invitation, it m

As the morning sunlight filtered through the stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns on the walls of my chamber, I sat at the sturdy wooden table with my Meemaw, enjoying a quiet breakfast. The aroma of freshly baked bread and warm tea filled the air, offering a fleeting moment of tranquility before the chaos of the day swept over us. I had been alone for some time now - There was no one to chat with and finally today, my Meemaw got her first day off and I had taken it upon myself to make it nice. Meemaw listened attentively as I told her about the three king brothers that had been patrolling the palace since last week. "I haven't seen them in person but I heard that they are quite intimidating," Meemaw commented, sipping her tea. I nodded, my eyes full of unease. "Yes, Meemaw. From what I've heard, they can be quite ruthless. I don't know what to expect. The first time we met in the dinning, they almost drove me crazy. They were not happy with me being the king's