The queen was startled to her feet by the forceful swing of the door.
There was only one person who would dare enter her chambers so recklessly—Elizabeth, the queen's only daughter.
"How many times have I told you not to burst into my room like that?" the queen snapped. "Do remember that I am your Queen before I am your mother."
She fixed her beloved daughter with a quizzical look.
"How am I supposed to remain calm," Elizabeth shouted, her voice shaking with fury, "when Father insists on sending me away as part of a peace treaty to some barbarian king? And you—my own mother—have done nothing to stop this madness! You know their people arrive tomorrow, yet you still stand by and do nothing!"
"Do you no longer trust your mother, little girl?" the queen replied coolly. "I have my own methods. You will be sent nowhere—certainly not beneath what you deserve. I promise you that."
Her lips curved into a confident smile.
"I have already found a way to free you from this marriage—without the slightest inconvenience."
Elizabeth exhaled sharply. "I'm trusting you on this," she said, then added bitterly, "But when are we finally getting rid of that wench? I cannot stand her anymore. Robert has been paying her far too much attention lately, and it unsettles me. We should remove her from the picture before something… unexpected happens."
The queen's smile widened, something gleeful flickering in her eyes.
"How could my plan exist without that filthy little thing?" she said softly. "She is the key to your escape. She is the only way."
Anaa
The moment I left the queen's chambers, I took quick strides toward the servants' quarters, desperate to avoid any confrontation for the remainder of the day. I kept my head down, praying not to cross paths with anyone.
Fate, however, had other plans.
As I turned the corner leading straight to the servants' quarters, I collided with the very last person I ever wished to see.
It took every ounce of self-control not to roll my eyes.
I bowed deeply.
"Greetings to the future of the kingdom," I said quietly.
I remained bent until he lifted my chin with his fingers, forcing me to look into his eyes. I flinched at the sudden contact and stumbled three steps back.
"I will take my leave now, Your Highness," I said quickly.
"I never dismissed you," he replied, his voice low and dangerous.
My stomach twisted. This was not the first time he had touched me this way.
For heaven's sake—he was my half-brother.
He grabbed my arm and yanked me toward him as though I weighed nothing. I struggled, disgust rising in my throat.
"Please, let go of me," I said, forcing calm into my voice.
He only leaned closer, his face inching toward mine, taunting me. My frustration snapped.
With no other choice, I drove my knee into his groin.
He stumbled back with a cry of pain, and I ran.
As fast as my legs could carry me.
I saw the door to my room—my only safe haven—and foolishly rejoiced too soon.
A brutal tug on my blond locks yanked me backward.
"You bitch!" he roared. "How dare you!"
Pain exploded across my left cheek.
Then again.
And again.
My head reeled violently from side to side, a loud ringing filling my ears. At least he avoided my right cheek—injuring that would only earn me more punishment.
"I'm not finished with you," he snarled. "I can have you whenever I want. No one will stop me—not even death."
His hands closed around my neck.
Tighter.
I knew no one would intervene. Not for a servant. Not for me. Certainly not against the future king.
As my strength faded, hurried footsteps echoed down the corridor.
"Your Highness—!"
Rita.
My heart sank.
She was my only friend. My only confidant. The one who smuggled food to me during punishments, who risked her life time and again for mine.
I had sworn her never to interfere again.
With the last strength I could summon, I shook my head at her. She shook hers back—determined.
"Forgive my interruption, Your Highness," Rita said, breathless, "but the queen demands your presence immediately. She says it is urgent."
Annoyance flickered across his face.
"Thank your stars," he sneered at me, tossing my body to the floor, "for saving you today."
He left without another glance.
The moment he disappeared, Rita rushed to my side as I gasped for air, coughing violently.
"Oh, my dear princess," she whispered, tears streaming down her face. "What has that monster done to you? Your face—your scar—"
She helped me to my feet and guided me to our room.
As she tended to my wounds, she sobbed openly.
"You're meant to treat my injuries and comfort me," I said weakly, forcing a small chuckle, "not cry like the one in pain."
She sniffed. "Did the queen truly send for him? I don't want you punished again because of me."
"She did," Rita said softly. "Another maid was too frightened to deliver the message. Anna… your scar is fading. We must darken it again. The syrup. And the eye potion—its effect is wearing off."
I cut her off sharply. "If you keep speaking like that, someone might hear. That would bring more trouble than we could survive."
I paused. "I still don't understand why my mother insisted on disguising me like this."
Rita met my eyes.
"I must disguise myself as well," she said quietly. "Because of who I am. If anyone saw my true face—or yours—it could cost us both our lives. Your mother had her reasons. One day, you will understand. Until then, endure."
We fell silent, carefully restoring the ruined disguise.
The remainder of the afternoon passed uneventfully as preparations were made for the guests' arrival. Some maids refused to work. Others completed their duties and left quietly.
Tomorrow would change everything.
And none of us were ready for it.