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.
heavy as we made our way through the palace corridors toward the dining hall. Elara walked beside me, her presence steady, but her earlier words still echoed in
Why
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
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 as I entered. Some were merely curious, while others barely concealed their disdain. I met none of their eyes, my focus solely on
1/4
Chapter 69
morning, Lady Sage, the queen greeted, her
inclining my head
like an outsider. The tension between me and the queen
hands folded neatly in my lap, trying to maintain the calm I'd been perfecting ever since I arrived here. Inside, I was anything
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attention back to her. "It seems, Lady Sage, that the charges against
hair on the back of my neck prickle. I could
Your Majesty. I was 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 disguised
her gaze. "I am grateful for the
on the table, her 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
could sense their unease. They weren't clueless-they felt
drop the topic. "It's interesting how things seem to work out when someone has the king's favor.", she said, her eyes
threat. She was reminding me that even though Titus brought me back, my position wasn't guaranteed. She saw me as competition,
in the eye, refusing to back down. "I understand how quickly things can change
smile tightened. "Good. It would be unfortunate for anyone
firm. I wasn't going to let her scare me, no matter how badly she
gone.
was done playing along with her
my voice calm despite the heat rising inside me. "Of course, Your Majesty, I wouldn't
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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
lifted my gaze, meeting hers without flinching. "I don't see why I
into a condescending smile. "Didn't her family
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GZfurZrXV+Wqmg3TmrvXH0rmI1SLK8e0u1bjXQGxvHiBWi3keh1+FURgjZaW8otGOXJT7MhUzBl98bhwJac2P5OLqbQnP8eOq/HMAD71RBMBgxDDE6dtuNkRNW76UtvHj9tK/amEaTK3De0Hvh363j2zm9rQjPaJk4tWbCyUESzZFvff4IyZjmU56Ct3CHgX93flbdEau8IsWTUwi6Yvqe0Rt10AddiaEWEgR5iKvZ64VRX01okGhliuQte2cTb/SEu6pO7XC7P5hSKPPnNkeduVRrYgItVQuJVkU5oKYPk7DdF5z3mda/skMJ7fbe26wYx+5YU0bJ6m1+QwkkoU4a06KUkUiYW2dd2VJz9fAFvtRcX72GE49bbWN305MOyrWNbjvLUAm1Sc1SKOvdM/BcxRMlZfuHMf9loq79Gpchf6Fcl66dVrEwzJDxEkvYoTuBWI3URYc6EFhOyR+z+Foyp+AObmLVJcsonuXkKE2Z1Vbkvy5TJQ7uOxUfWcCZ12LBlJtSOxon6HlxJeZ1bQuOGbJ9QwDAXyd2ydUcSk32SAwTmx46jIchq3YZgFdeecbaMuo7y9HkbCNTxe2PyFXxF6PV0Bc7As7ZcTVHQjRVUUvsPlDWMa5yc+rzrJiwNVuG9aKcDQ+GVkx7jCiDsoYpXVcIek1FuhiM+8Hfkgt6r1PNNOYPmGYWX+dGRbvwZDjBS7rTHpddXlKjvDmyekhzyKD79nfZqc5WsU0gEsdINfRBJAbhYds1LXujNYW4ipWp5N3XsfmlJfXw//yjnrk0HqKVhufxbjCkmGq+JhgijQx1NtmrgmSdPAUA==
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