"Ha! Look who it is—Elon, isn't it?"
A nobleman had spotted her from across the ballroom and now strolled toward the refreshment table, where she stood holding a tray of glasses. His eyes swept over her, his smirk cutting deep.
"You used to love blue sapphires. Now look at you—this maid's dress suits you far too well. You were always meant to be a filthy little servant."
The lady beside him laughed, delicately covering her mouth, then shot Elon a withering look from head to toe.
'Here we go again—another noble mocking what I've become,' Elon thought, exhaling slowly. She tucked a loose strand of blonde hair behind her ear. Even in her plain uniform and white apron, her beauty turned heads. Her glow hadn't dimmed—it only wore a different crown.
She steadied the tray in her hands, resisting the urge to throw the wine in his face. That wasn't who she was. Not anymore.
"I feel sorry for you, truly. How's your father? Still breathing? I heard he's ill."
The voice came from someone new. Elon's heart skipped.
Georgina.
Elon hadn't expected to see her here. Georgina never attended Crystal Kingdom's galas. What was she doing here?
'I thought moving to this faraway kingdom would keep me hidden,' Elon mused bitterly. She hadn't even made it to Georgina's engagement party—too busy salvaging the ruins of her bankrupt family, working day and night just to afford bread.
"He's… fine. Thank you. And congratulations, by the way—on your engagement."
Warmth flickered in her chest. She wanted to hug Georgina, apologize for the silence, pour out everything she'd buried. So much had happened since she was forced to flee. But that warmth quickly froze when she saw the fear in Georgina's eyes. Not for her. For the man standing just beyond.
Suddenly, heavy footsteps echoed through the hall. The nobles near Georgina drew back, their faces pale.
"It's Baron Caron—special aide to King Beftron's chief advisor," someone whispered.
Caron strode in, dark and imposing. His tailored coat shimmered with black and gold. He kissed Georgina's hand and pulled her close, his gaze sharp as blades.
"Darling… were you just talking to her?"
His eyes locked on Elon with venom. Georgina's hand trembled in his grasp.
"Are you alright?" Elon stepped forward, concern pushing past pride. For a second, she saw the terrified schoolgirl Georgina used to be—sobbing in the courtyard until Elon stood by her side.
Caron shoved her.
She hit the ground hard, glasses crashing around her, wine soaking her dress. A hush fell over the room. Elon's breath caught in her throat. Red welts bloomed on her palms from the shattered glass.
Elon looked up at Georgina—the same girl who once stood up for her. Now she stood frozen, silent.
'A betrayal I didn't expect. Not from her.'
"A lowly thing like you has no right to touch me," Georgina said coldly. "Remember your place. You're just a servant. I, on the other hand, am Baron Caron's fiancée."
"That's right," Caron sneered, pulling her tighter.
The head butler and Duchess Belanca arrived, expressions icy.'Dear Elon, why are the troubles following you? Ah, I need to fix this mess. I promised to take care of you,' the Duchess thought, folding her fists.
"You're fired," the Duchess said curtly. "I only took you in out of respect for your father. But this—this is unacceptable."
She turned to Caron with a forced smile.
"My apologies, Baron. Martin will clean this up."
She motioned for the butler to drag Elon away, as if she were some stain on the marble floor.
"This is meant to be a celebration—for my son and his friend's return from the Dark Continent," the Duchess muttered.
"Get up," Martin whispered, offering a hand.
Elon pushed his hand aside and rose on her own. She straightened her apron, brushing her hair back.
"I never planned to stay long. You people sicken me—hiding behind masks of civility."
Her eyes met Georgina's, who couldn't even hold her gaze.
"How dare you," a nobleman hissed. "Your father—the former ruler of the Pearl Kingdom—let a Dark Continent warlord take over. A disgrace!"
A sharp crack rang out across the hall.
The noble stumbled back, clutching his cheek.
All eyes turned to Elon. She even gain the attention of the descending man in regal attire—tall, commanding. His silver cloak rippled with every step. There was a quiet storm in his eyes.
"Who's she again?"
The charmed man asked his servant, who answered: "She's Elon my master,"
"You bitc—" the noble stammered.But Elon silenced him with her sharp eyes.
"The man you speak of is Oliver Mesiol—the Grand Ruler who freed your kingdoms from ignorance and tyranny. No one speaks his name with disrespect in my presence."
'That Elon was born to lead. That's the first thing I saw in her eyes, I like her energy,' Derrick uttered planning to talk to Elon, but some men stopped him.
"You struck a noble!" Duchess Belanca shrieked. "You're no princess anymore. You're nothing!"
She grabbed Elon's arm, yanking her toward the doors.
"Listen dear, I can't protect you from them," she whispered harshly. "Just leave. I'll handle this."
Elon pulled away.
"I don't need your whispers or your pity. If you can't defend me openly, don't pretend to care. You stood there while they insulted my father."
Her voice shook, not with fear—but fury. She had held in her pain long enough. She would no longer beg for kindness from wolves dressed in silk.
'So what if a royal falls? Everyone breaks. But I won't stay broken.'
She gathered her things—just a dress and a shawl—and stepped outside into the cold night. The air bit at her cheeks, but she welcomed it. It was honest.
A carriage waited.
"Were you waiting for me, beautiful?" the driver called.
She recognized him—Lord Derrick. She'd cleaned his room just the night before. His smile now held curiosity and warmth.
"Sorry, Lord Derrick. I don't accept favors. I can manage on my own. I'm not helpless—and your tone doesn't sit right with me."
She turned on her heel, chin high.
'What a sharp tongue,' Derrick mused, watching her disappear into the dark.
'No one's ever spoken to me like that before… She's bold. Enchanting. But it's dangerous out here. What if something happens to her?'
He hesitated.
Then stepped down from the carriage.
And followed.
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