yn'

tongued palace maid, was entangled in a forbidd

he fallout would be brutal. But I wasn't going to report them, at least, not yet. No, I intended to

tions. But it was clear he hadn't received any. The

arms. It was jarring seeing her like that. Gone was the venomous arrogance; in its place

the forest's edge, I gathered the wild greens I'

ly roasted chicken stopped me in my tracks. Flora emerg

delicious," I said smoothl

ardening into familiar scorn. "

because that smells a lot like the food Prince Darius is s

scowling. "It's mine now. Y

ng when you're whispering

voice low and menacing. "I don't know wha

," I said evenly. "Don't worry

ound, checking if

one cold like ice. "But if you keep starving the prin

was tight, uncertain. "

ned in, dropping my voice to a whisper

drained

" she said, al

d not

ging at me. Her hands locked around m

My breath caught in my chest, but I

ecially since I'm still a princess by title. And those photos? Already stashed safely.

, her fingers loosened, t

d

urst. "Darius is dying. All I want is to keep him and myse

Her eyes searched my face, des

u're not bluffing

the point. Are you really willing to bet

d, but in the end, she han

ile," she

ok the bag. "It

ffed my way out of a dangerous confrontation. The truth? I d

ared. A retired maid named Hannah. She'd worked in the Alpha palace long before I arrived, and sh

was the closest thi

gh this, I swore I

en in hand, I returne

id with a bright grin. "Foo

suspicion. "Where

matically sniffing the content

dn't

piece toward him. "It's fi

didn't rea

savoring their first sweet. "Crispy skin... tender mea

onless, his expr

g the drumstick. "Alright then.

the doorway when hi

ai

u'd change your mind. Here, this

en leaned forwar

at first... then

gre

glanced aro

vealed yellowed linens, dusty corners, grime in the floorbo

been given, polished only t

of his bed, reaching fo

ing?" Darius snapped, his vo