Chapter six: framed.
Angelina spent hours in the garden with Astra, practicing small spells until exhaustion weighed down her limbs. The afternoon sun beat down mercilessly, and sweat soaked through her dress.
"That's enough for today," Astra finally said. "You're improving faster than I expected. Rest now. We'll continue tomorrow."
As Angelina walked back toward the palace, a maid approached—the ginger-haired one from earlier.
"Miss, Master Lothaire needs you in his study right away," Anna said, her eyes not quite meeting Angelina's.
Angelina frowned. "He didn't mention needing to see me."
"It's urgent, miss. Please hurry."
Something felt off, but Angelina didn't know the palace well enough to refuse. She followed the maid's directions to the study.
The room was impressive—floor-to-ceiling shelves filled with ancient books, a massive desk, and windows that overlooked Cinderfall. But what caught her attention were the crystal shards scattered across the floor.
She knelt down, picking up a piece. The vase had been beautiful once.
"What did you do?!"
Angelina whirled around. Lothaire stood in the doorway, his expression dark as a storm.
"I didn't—" she started.
"What are you even doing in here?" His voice was cold, controlled fury. "I specifically told you not to wander the palace."
"The maid said you wanted to see me!" Angelina stood, still holding the crystal shard.
"What maid?"
"The ginger-haired one. She said it was urgent."
Lothaire's eyes narrowed. He walked to the door and called out. Moments later, Aquila appeared with Anna and Irene behind her.
"Did you summon the princess to my study?" Lothaire asked Anna.
The maid's eyes widened. "No, Master. I've been cleaning the guest chambers all morning. I haven't been near your study."
"Liar!" Angelina stepped forward. "You're the one who told me—"
"Master, Anna speaks the truth," Aquila interjected smoothly. "I've been supervising her work all morning. She never left my sight."
"I was with them too," Irene added. "Anna didn't leave the west wing."
Angelina's blood boiled. They were lying. She could see it in their eyes, in the slight smirk Aquila tried to hide.
"You were paid to set me up," Angelina said, her voice shaking with anger. She crossed the room and stood directly in front of Anna. "How much did it take to make you lie?"
"Miss, I don't know what you're talking about. I've been working all day. Perhaps you're confused—"
Angelina's hand flew out, shoving Anna hard against the wall. The maid gasped, shock and fear flashing across her face.
"Don't. Lie. To. Me."
"Miss!" Aquila stepped forward. "Picking on a servant should be beneath you. Just admit you broke Master's vase out of anger and—"
"Enough!" Lothaire's voice cut through the room like a blade.
Everyone fell silent.
He walked toward Angelina slowly, his gaze fixed on her. "Did you break my vase?"
"No." Her voice was steady despite her racing heart.
"Then who did?"
"I don't know. But she—" Angelina pointed at Anna, "—she told me you wanted to see me. She led me here. This is a setup."
Lothaire studied her face for a long moment. Then he turned to the maids. "Leave. All of you."
"But Master—" Aquila began.
"Now."
They scurried out, though Angelina caught Aquila's satisfied smile before she disappeared.
Alone with Lothaire, Angelina felt the anger drain out of her, replaced by something closer to desperation.
"You don't believe me," she said quietly.
He walked to the shattered vase, kneeling to pick up a piece. "This was given to me by the Almighty himself. Before my fall. It's the only thing I have left of..." He stopped, jaw clenching. "It doesn't matter."
"I didn't break it," Angelina insisted. "Why would I?"
"Why would the maids?" He stood, facing her. "What do they gain from framing you?"
"I don't know! Maybe they don't want me here. Maybe someone told them to—"
"Enough." He walked toward her, and Angelina instinctively backed up until she hit the door. He placed a hand on either side of her head, trapping her. "You're confined to your chambers. Consider it... protective custody while I investigate."
"You're punishing me for something I didn't do!"
"I'm keeping you out of trouble." His face was inches from hers. "This is Cinderfall, little angel. Here, we don't have fair trials or innocent until proven guilty. You're alive because I allow it. Don't test my patience."
Anger flared hot in Angelina's chest. "I survived shrekens. I opened a portal and freed you from that cave. I'm not some helpless damsel you can lock away!"
Something flickered in his eyes—surprise, maybe even respect. But his expression remained cold.
"Guards!" he called.
Two demons appeared at the door.
"Escort the princess to her chambers. She's not to leave until I say otherwise."
Angelina paced her room like a caged animal. The humiliation burned. She'd finally felt powerful in the garden with Astra, finally felt like she could control something in her life. And then she'd been framed, disbelieved, and locked away.
Just like in Arcadia.
No.
She stopped pacing.
No, I'm not doing this again. I'm not waiting for someone else to save me or decide my fate.
She looked at the door. Two guards stood outside—she'd heard them take their positions.
Angelina closed her eyes, remembering what Astra taught her. Balance. Emotional and physical. She took a deep breath, letting calmness wash over her.
She placed her palm against the door and whispered, "Anoixe."
The lock clicked.
A smile spread across her face. She'd done it. She'd cast a spell without Astra's help.
Carefully, quietly, she opened the door. The guards stood on either side, facing outward. She held her breath and slipped past them, keeping to the shadows.
If no one would believe her, she'd find proof herself.
She made her way through the palace, staying out of sight. She'd paid attention when the maid led her to the study earlier, memorizing the route. Now she retraced those steps, looking for the servants' quarters.
Voices drifted from a room ahead. Angelina pressed herself against the wall and listened.
"—can't believe it worked!" That was Anna's voice.
"Of course it worked," Aquila replied. "That angel is too naive. She walked right into the trap."
"But what if Master finds out?" Irene sounded nervous.
"He won't. We all vouched for each other. Besides, Aquila's right—we can't let some angel replace Lady Lilith. Master belongs with her."
Angelina's hands clenched into fists. So it was about Lilith. Whoever that was.
"What if the angel escapes her room?" Anna asked.
"She won't. She's just a late bloomer with no real power. By the time Lady Lilith returns, we'll have driven the angel out or gotten her killed."
Angelina had heard enough. She turned to leave but her foot caught on a loose stone. The scraping sound echoed in the hallway.
"What was that?" Aquila's voice went sharp.
Angelina ran.
She heard shouts behind her, footsteps pounding. She turned a corner and nearly collided with someone.
Strong hands caught her shoulders.
She looked up into Lothaire's dark eyes.
"Running from something?" he asked, his voice dangerously soft.
"They set me up!" Angelina gasped, breathless. "The maids. They're talking about it right now. Aquila planned it because of someone named Lilith. They want me gone!"
Lothaire's expression didn't change, but she felt his grip tighten slightly on her shoulders.
The three maids rounded the corner and stopped dead when they saw Lothaire.
"Master!" Aquila's face went pale. "We were just—the angel escaped and—"
"I know." Lothaire's voice was ice. "I heard everything."
The color drained from all three maids' faces.