NA'

between us. The feast suddenly felt less appetizing, but my stomach won the argument, and I quietly finished what was on

e bed. My eyes traced the carvings on the wooden ceiling, my mind still tangled with thoughts

t the shadows stretching across the walls, a single question echoed in my

ed me into sleep, pulling me und

outside my window and the faint scen

y face. The sunlight pouring through the tall windows illuminat

cavenged through the clothes already neatly arranged and separated in the wardrobe. My eyes settled on a simple outfit: a bl

ning area, I nearly jumped out of my sk

gasped, clutc

said apologetically. She looked to be in her late fifties, h

ad chef," she introd

I replied with a small smil

he dining hall," she said,

ere," I answered, then added cas

lready left f

ith a relieved smile, conti

any isn't here," I muttere

no less grand. A long polished oak table stretched a

ng the sideboard. Freshly baked bread, golden croissants, bowls of colorful fruits, scramb

smile tugging at my lips. At le

ut Lucas. Cold, arrogant, impossible Lucas. How could someone so han

ned the sting of last night's tension, and for a

e so bad," I whispered to myself,

the table where Lucas had sat the night before. The chair was empty n

struck me. Why don't

rtha!" I

she answered, appear

ttle town today," I said w

e people, I see!" she rep

eople?" I asked

our uncle's workers. Now that he's gone a

le where I was suddenly the princess of a town? The thought made me

ly, Miss," Gertha said with a small

I muttered,

f my breakfast when a young woman wal

'm Melody, your new personal

Melody," I replied, my voice

y questions about your duties here on Erténa, Mi

eyes wide. "I own this island, the people in it too, and

t, Miss," she said

me just Elena. You're my assistant, sure, b

yes and a charm that felt instantly disarming. She wore a simple cream blou

hildren darted between stalls, their laughter mingling with the clatter of pots and the cries of merchants sel

l in. "This place is... beautiful

e the people always had what they ne

t would help me sleep better. A fisherman proudly displayed his catch, the silver scales of t

the atmosph

n at the fruit stand leaned closer, whispering behind their baskets. Chil

voice muttered

seen her

... could she be a

carries herself. Who d

g in. Everywhere I turned, eyes followed m

lowering my voice. "Why are

... they don't know about you yet. For years, they

. "So to them... I'

ated, then ga

ernoon sun. For the first time since stepping onto Erténa, I w

CAS

of the screen casting pale light on the polished desk. Numbers, contracts, project

nd wandered bac

ross the table, full of fire and defia

frigh

here for comfort. She wasn't here to be understood. She was here because of a piece of pap

t lingered. Was sh

weakness before it could grow. No. She wa

ks, maybe longer. Not since Father...no, since he passed. Perhaps it was time to see h

ve down into the heart of town. Remin

g. If Elena thought she could walk in and claim

NA'S

dy, peering at stalls, asking questions, smiling politely. But the

o is

seen her

like she own

ng my skin. "Melody," I whispered,

elody corrected herself quickly. "They've only

a brave smile. "Good morning," I began softly. "I'm Elena Hayes..

e into water. Ripples of d

en's

ks she's the

Lucas's

o one sharp edge. My chest tight

tsider telling us how t

hese years we worked under Mr. Alden, and now you come waltzing i

I started, but my wo

the woman spat, raising

pounding in my ears. I flinched in

w and commanding, sli

nou

urned. Lucas stood at the edge of the square, his eyes

he woman, then on me. He stepped in front of

y, his voice carrying through the square. "A

o her side. The others backed away slowly,

ickly. Relief washed through me, but so did confusion. His

he repeated, h

people scattered, leaving me trembling beside the

ing behind them like smoke. My knees felt weak, but I

ce. He simply turned on his h

ay, following the man who had just saved me from strangers