CHAPTER ELEVEN — Jealousy in the Shadows
Helena's life in Nightfall Palace had slowly begun to balance out.
After she fell sick from exhaustion, Prince Kira had made a rare promise:
"You will not be overworked again."
And strangely… he kept it.
Her chores were still difficult, but they were normal palace duties — sweeping, dusting, helping in the kitchens.
Demanding, but not unbearable.
She even started to recover some strength.
And in those quiet days… Damon noticed her.
Kira's childhood friend.
The only noble in the entire palace who didn't look at Helena like she was dirt.
He'd talk to her while she worked.
Offer her warm pastries from the kitchen.
Carry heavy pails she struggled with.
Tease her just enough to make her smile.
Helena didn't know why Damon cared.
But she couldn't deny it…
He was the only bright part of the palace.
---
One afternoon, Helena was polishing the tall windows in the east corridor.
Sunlight poured through the stained glass, scattering colors across the floor.
Damon spotted her immediately.
"You're working alone again?" he asked.
"Yes," Helena replied softly. "It's not too much."
"You always say that," Damon chuckled, taking the cloth from her hand.
"Come on. Let me help. Kira won't know."
Helena's eyes widened.
"My lord, you shouldn't—"
"Relax. I'm your friend."
He dusted the window with exaggerated effort just to hear her laugh.
And she did.
For the first time in days, Helena actually laughed — bright and real.
"You're impossible," she said.
"You should laugh more often, you look more beautiful when you do," he countered, nudging her shoulder gently while smiling
"Helena, you deserve more than—"
But the sentence died.
A cold wind surged down the corridor.
The lamps flickered violently.
Then footsteps echoed.
Slow. Heavy. Furious.
Helena and Damon turned—
Prince Kira stood there.
And he looked murderous.
His gaze locked onto Damon's hand still holding the cloth—
then Helena—
then the space between them.
His voice was dangerously calm.
"Damon."
Damon straightened. "Kira—"
"You seem to have a lot of time to stand around."
"We were just—"
"I didn't ask for an explanation."
His jaw clenched so tightly a vein pulsed at his neck.
His eyes snapped to Helena.
"You," he said.
"You will report to the royal manor starting tomorrow."
Helena blinked.
"My… my lord?"
"You are now assigned as my personal maid."
Her heart dropped.
Not that.
Anything but that.
Damon stepped forward.
"Kira, why—"
"Since she enjoys wasting time," Kira cut in sharply,
"she can put that energy into serving me."
Helena stepped back, stunned.
"But Your Highness, my duties—"
Kira's voice hardened.
"Your duties are whatever I say they are."
Then he stepped closer, towering over her.
"And do not think I will go easy on you this time."
Her breath caught.
He was breaking his promise.
He was doing it deliberately.
And she had no idea why.
Helena bowed quickly, hiding the sting in her eyes.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Kira didn't look satisfied.
He didn't look anything.
He simply turned and walked away, cloak trailing behind him like a storm cloud.
When he disappeared around the corner, Damon exhaled sharply.
"That was… insane," he muttered.
"I've never seen him act like that over a maid."
Helena said nothing.
Her chest felt tight — painfully tight.
Her life had just gotten much harder.
So much for his promise…
Damon placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry," he said softly.
"If you ever need help, I'm right here."
Helena nodded weakly.
But deep inside, panic twisted her heart.
How was she going to survive as Kira's maid?
How was she going to endure triple work?
For a moment she considered giving up — running away, leaving the palace behind.
But the thought of her grandmother lying sick at home struck her like lightning.
Her grandmother needed medicine.
Helena needed this job.
She clenched her fists and breathed shakily.
"I must endure… for her."
And so Helena wiped her tears and walked back to her chores—
unaware that the prince who had just shattered his promise
was walking away with his heart pounding, his jaw clenched, and a jealousy he refused to understand.