Chapter 21
“What the fuck was that?” I asked Knox the moment I saw him outside the dining hall.
He looked entirely too satisfied with himself, leaning lazily against the wall with his arms crossed, like he hadn’t just torn through my entire childhood in front of half the palace.
“What was what?” he asked, feigning innocence.
I glared at him. “Don’t play dumb,”
Knox smirked. “Oh, you mean the part where I made you actually admit something real about yourself?”
I clenched my fists. “You had no right-
“I had every right,” he cut in, pushing off the wall to stand in front of me. “You walk around here like you’re fine, like none of this affects you, but it does. And maybe it’s about time someone called you out on it before you run mad.”
I scoffed. “Called me out? You embarrassed me in front of
†They were going to talk about you either way, linle wolf,” he said, tilting his head. “At least now, they know the truth and would feel piry
“That’s so stupid. A stupid idea. Who said I needed paty. I know for sure I don’t. Who are you to care?”
I hated hum
1 jabbed a finger at his chest. “You’re an asshole”
Knox grinned. “Ive been called worse”
“You’re a bastard”
His grin widened. “That too.
I huffed, turning on my heel. “I need air before I actually kill you.”
“That’s if you c
can.”
I growled.
Knox chuckled as I stormed off, and I hated how amused he sounded.
I clasped my hands together as I angrily stomped to the garden..
The moment I stepped outside, the cold moming air hit me.
Indeed this part of the world is normally colder that Maxwell’s pack.
I clenched my lists
together.
The air was cold, the scent of morning dew still lingering as I stepped into the palace garden. Flowers bloomed in perfect symmetry, the pathways lined with intricate stonework.
I barely noticed any of it
My mind was still spinning.
1 touched my lips absentmindedly, frowning
The kiss
I had done a pretty good job of ignoring it since last night, but now that I was alone, it crept back into my thoughts.
The warmth of it. The way he had leaned in slowly, as if waiting for me to stop hi
him.
I hadn’t
Chapter 21
That was the part that infuriated me the most.
I should have pulled away the second it happened. I should have slapped him, shoved him anything.
Now I feel so guilty that I did and he thinks he had every right to talk about me like that.
Fuck him!
I am such a fool for letting last night happen.
And now, Knox of all people had the nerve to push me about Amira, like he hadn’t crossed a line first?
My boundaries.-
I scowled. shaking my head
It didn’t mean anything.
It was a mistake. A brief lapse in judgment.
I would make that very clear to him the next time we spoke
I took a slow breath, trying to push away the frustration clawing at my chest,
Until a soft voice interrupted my thoughts.
“My Lady?”
1 turned, startled.
A young woman stood a few feet away, hands clasped in front of her. Her brown hair was neatly braided, her pale blue eyes wide with hesitation.
I frowned. “Who are you!”
She dipped her head quickly.” “I am your new maid, My Lady.“
I straightened. “New?”
She nodded. “Eliza has been reassigned. I have been assigned to you personally
That was odd.
Eliza had barely lasted a few days with me.
Had she asked to be reassigned?
Or had someone made her?
Or lets just say she hated me that much.
Texhaled, studying the girl. She looked young. Nineteen maybe, with dark hair packed in a low bun. She looked scared as if I would eat her for lunch.
I know I had a strict and angry resting bitch face, so I had to adjust even though I wasn’t in the best of mood. I smiled.
“What’s your name?” I asked.
“Lillian, My Lady”
I nodded slowly. “Alright, Lillian Welcome aboard. Hopefully you last with me.”
She hesitated, shifting slightly. “I was also sent to deliver some news.
I tensed
“What kind of news?” I asked carefully.
2/4
9:22 AM ₫ ₫
Chapter 21
Lillian glanced around, as if making sure no one was nearby,
Then she looked at me, her voice quieter now.
“The kind you might want to hear in private.”
I frowned. “Why private?”
She hesitated before stepping closer. “Because things work differently here, My Lady. And if you want to survive in this palace, you should learn the rules quickly”
I narrowed my eyes. “And you’re here to teach me?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
I crossed my arms. “Alright. Go ahead”
Lillian took a slow breath before speaking. “There are three rules you must remember, My Lady. The first–nothing happens in this palace without reason. If someone does something, it is because they want something. Even kindness here is a tool”
1 exhaled. “That much I already figured out.”
She gave a small, knowing smile before continuing. The second–be careful who you trust. Some will pretend to be allies, but they only serve their own interests. Even those closest to you may not be as they seem
That sent a chill down my spine.
Traitor among the trusted.
I frowned looking at Lillian.
I swallowed. “And the third?”
Lillian straightened. “The third rule is simple–do not anger the king.”
My lips paned slightly at that
She said it with such certainty, like she had seen firsthand what happened when someone did.
I nodded slowly. “Noted.”
Lillian besitated before adding, “Which brings me to the real reason I came to find you, My Lady.”
I tilted my head. “And that is?”
“You’ve been summoned,” she said carefully. “For dinner.”
I blinked “Dinner?”
“With the king and his council members.”
That made me pause.
Not just Alaric. With the council.
Could this be because of that bastard Knox?
After this morning–suddenly I inhaled sharply, suddenly understanding.
This wasn’t just a dinner.
It was a test
I nodded to Lallian, she was suspicious.
“No problem. Thanks for the tips
I kept my cool
She nodded, “We must start to get you ready my lady.”
9:22
Chapter 21
“Isn’t it a big too early?”
“In fashion, it’s never too early”
The dining hall was grand, even more so than I remembered
A long mahogany table stretched across the center of the room, lined with noblemen, advisors, and high–ranking officials. The air smelled of roasted meats, expensive wine, and something far less pleasant, tension.
nough to make my back straighten and a beat of sweat appear on my forehead.
Tension enough to
Alaric sat at the head of the table, his posture perfect, his expression unreadable.
I took my place beside him, keeping my back straight, my face neutral.
I could feel their eyes on me.
Studying me
Judging me.
I forced myself to remain calm. I wouldn’t let them see my nerves.
The meal began, and for a while, the only sound was the clinking of silverware against fine china.
It was different than when servants were around. Not it was just us.
I didn’t like it one bit,
Then, the questions started.
The Interrogation
“So,” an older councilman with
graying hair began, wiping his mouth with a napkin. “Lady Liana.”
I resisted the urge to correct him. I wasn’t a Lady. But I let it slide.
“Yes!”
He leaned back in his chair. “Tell me.. how exactly did you find yourself here?”
AD
