Chapter 69
SAGE lost
I count
I walked towards the dining hall with heavy feet. This, among other things, is what I hate about this place. I needed to up my poker face in front of those people and pretend as if I was delighted to be in their presence. When in fact, I hate everything about this place. t of how many times I have been letting out a loud sigh as I made my way to meet Her Majesty for breakfast. I left Titus in his room because I don't like having breakfast with him, yet here I am on my way to another meal with someone I don't like to meet "You'll be fine, my lady." Elara whispered in my ear as she tried to cheer me up.
"I don't I know how long I will be able to withstand being in this golforsaken place," I replied. "I need to come up with a plan in order for me to get out of here."
T
"Divorce is the only thing that will set you free, my lady
"Do you think I haven't thought about that? You have no idea how many times I have asked His Majesty to grant me divorce as soon as he stepped in front of our door?"
"Then reject him," she suggested.
I let out a frustrated sigh. "He won't grant me a divorce. What makes you think he'll accept my rejection? I can't even
leave me alone, let alone sever our bond."
She blew out a heavy sigh of her own, crossing her arms as she leaned back against the dresser. "Yeah, you're right. If he won't even give you that, maybe the only option is to wait until he gets tired of you." Her
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. I didn't understand why, but the thought of him growing tired of me made my heart twist painfully in my chest. It was like a knife being slowly driven into my heart, and I hated myself for feeling that
way
I wanted to scoff, to brush off the idea that his indifference would hurt me, but I couldn't. Instead, I stood there, staring at the floor, feeling the weight of her words settle like a heavy stone in my stomach.
Why did the idea of him not wanting me anymore hurt so much? Shouldn't I want him to stop and let me go? Shouldn't I be relieved? But all I could feel was a deep, aching emptiness at the thought of him simply walking away.
through the palace corridors toward the dining hall. Elara walked beside me, her presence steady, but her earlier words still echoed in my
Why
it would mean I'd finally be free of him. Yet, the thought gnawed at something deep inside me, a feeling I didn't want to acknowledge. I clenched my jaw, pushing it aside. As we approached the massive doors of the dining hall,
I squared my shoulders, stepping inside. The grandeur of the dining hall hit me immediately-ornate chandeliers, gleaming marble floors, and a table that stretched longer than I cared to count. And at the head of it sat Her Majesty, the queen. I could feel the gazes of the other concubines flicker toward me
1/4
Chapter 69
morning, Lady Sage, the queen greeted,
head in
between me and the queen was palpable, though it remained unspoken. I
lap, trying to maintain the calm I'd been perfecting ever since
+
attention back to her. "It seems, Lady Sage, that
the back of my neck prickle. I could feel her eyes
informed the real culprit has been apprehended" The queen smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Oh, yeah. Of course. I heard it was your sister's doing. How fortunate for you." Her words were like poison wrapped in silk, a subtle jab
her gaze. "I am grateful for the
smile still in place, but I could feel the tension between us. It was obvious shel wasn't happy about my return. Even though she looked calm. I could sense the hidden threat-the jealousy and bitterness she was
could sense their
out when someone has the king's favor.", she said, her eyes narrowing. "But remember, that
She was reminding me that even though Titus brought me back, my position wasn't guaranteed. She saw me as competition, even if she wouldn't openly say it. The
looked her in the eye, refusing to back down. "I understand how quickly things
It would be unfortunate for
room thickened, but I stood firm. I wasn't going to let her scare me, no matter
gone.
was done playing along with her
breath, keeping my voice calm despite the heat rising inside me.
+
at me for a moment longer before turning her attention back to her meal, acting as if nothing had happened. I was silently praying that this awkward meal would finally be over, I fixed my eyes on the plate as I tried to avoid making eye contact with everyone on the table.
meeting hers without flinching. "I
condescending smile. "Didn't her family take
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