The morning light that filtered through the small, high window of Zara’s room felt less like a blessing and more like a spotlight. Her sleep had been haunted by gold-flecked eyes and the scent of expensive sandalwood. She dressed quickly in her simple uniform, pressing the fabric flat with her palms, trying to smooth away the trembling in her fingers. When she entered the main kitchen, the usual roar of activity—the clatter of copper pans and the sharp scent of brewing Arabica coffee—stilled for a heartbeat. Fatima, the head cook who usually ignored Zara, looked up from a tray of poached eggs. Her eyes were narrow, darting from Zara’s face to her neck, as if looking for the diamonds that had caused the scandal. Behind her, two junior maids, Meena and Sana, whispered behind their hands, their giggles sounding like the hiss of a snake. "Well, look who decided to join us," Meena sneered, flicking a dishcloth over her shoulder. "The 'Dignified' one. I suppose after the Master of the ho
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