Breakfast was unusually quiet.
Ella had barely touched the food on her plate. Every now and then, her eyes wandered across the table until they settled on Lucinda. The queen sat gracefully beside the king, carrying herself with the same elegance she always displayed before the royal family. She laughed when spoken to, occasionally smiled at the king's remarks and even reminded the servants to refill everyone's cups.
To anyone else, she looked like the perfect queen.
But not to Ella.
Every smile she wore reminded Ella of the woman she had mocked the previous day.
Every gentle word that left her lips echoed differently in Ella's ears.
How could someone who spoke so kindly at the dining table become so heartless behind closed doors?
"You've barely eaten."
Salvador's voice gently pulled Ella from her thoughts.
She turned towards him and forced a small smile. "I'm not really hungry."
His eyes lingered on hers for a moment before he nodded.
He knew she was lying.
