Lucas
I have been on edge since our arrival from Vosca four days ago.
It took us three relentless days to return to Ares, and yet my mind refuses to settle. My informant across the border reports nothing unusual about the girl—nothing beyond the fact that she has remained confined to her room since fainting on the day the entire royal family visited her.
But today, another message arrived.
She tried to escape the castle grounds.
She was caught.
Why go to such lengths for a maid?
The spy didn't find it concerning. I do.
Why so much attention over one insignificant servant?
Elias hasn't helped matters. He's been moody and unreadable, disappearing at night more often than usual. I know where he goes—brothels, drinking, indulging himself. Normally I wouldn't care. I have far greater problems.
A knock interrupts my thoughts.
"Enter."
Olivet steps inside.
The daughter of a high-ranking minister—greed clings to her bloodline like rot. She wears that same proud, knowing smile that has followed me for years, and it takes everything in me not to sneer.
She has tried endlessly to warm my bed.
They all disgust me.
She saunters toward my desk, swaying her hips deliberately. I keep my face blank. Yes, she has a better figure than my bride-to-be—at least by conventional standards—but she lacks something.
She doesn't compare.
That woman's curves—her back, her hips—
I swallow hard.
What is wrong with me?
Before I can fully process the thought, Olivet circles my desk and slips her hand into my clothes.
That snaps me back to myself.
I shove her away violently.
"How dare you," I snarl.
She crashes to the floor with a pained hiss.
"My King," she breathes, unfazed, "don't deny the desire burning inside you. I can satisfy you. You haven't had a woman in so long—"
Enough.
I have had enough of women barging into my office, mistaking my accessibility for invitation.
That ends today.
"Elias," I call sharply through our mind link.
I feel his irritation instantly, his grumbling echoing back about interrupting private time.
Guards flood in at my command, kneeling immediately.
"Remove her from my office," I order coldly. "And from today onward—guards stationed in pairs at every corridor leading here. No one enters without my explicit permission."
They obey without hesitation, dragging her out as she protests.
Moments later, Elias materializes.
I glare at him. "I told you to avoid indulging on palace grounds."
He shrugs. "You sounded like you were about to kill someone."
He studies me with that knowing look. "You still look the same, you know. Even though we both know you've lived over a century. Telepathy, heightened senses—we're not that different."
I'm done with this conversation.
The past holds nothing but darkness. I've tried to remember—tried to piece together fragments that suggest I once lived within these palace walls. I fought to return here, thinking answers waited for me.
Instead, I became king.
And learned nothing.
"What did you need?" Elias finally asks, sitting across from me.
"Tighten security," I say. "Get rid of loose tongues. I don't want my bride arriving under rumors of infidelity."
He rolls his eyes but nods.
Soon enough, I am alone again.
Anaa
We were kept confined until the day of the wedding.
Servants eventually escorted us to another room where I was to be dressed. Thankfully, Rita had all her disguising supplies hidden in her secret pouch—where she stores them, I don't know. All I know is that it saves lives.
They left us alone.
I was grateful they didn't insist on dressing me themselves.
Rita had healed far too quickly—within a day. It confirmed my suspicions, but I said nothing. She noticed my glances, my raised brows, and tried to explain.
I shook my head.
She'll tell me when she's ready.
A heavy silence settles between us as we prepare. Soon, I will be married to a man I have never seen.
I don't know when this stopped feeling like a ceremony and started feeling like a funeral.
When it ends, everyone drifts outside. No congratulations. No well wishes. I catch a glimpse of the Queen and my father through the hall window—both expressionless.
The Queen looks pleased.
I am led back to change. The room is unbearably quiet as Rita works while other maids pack our belongings.
The door suddenly swings open.
Elizabeth stands there—with Robert.
They look furious. Like they've been arguing.
Robert steps toward me and I instinctively lean back.
Elizabeth scoffs. "What is wrong with you? What is so enticing about this rag that keeps distracting you from the plan? You could have everything—even her—if you just stick to it."
Her words seem to snap something into place for him.
He stops, staring at me intensely. "I'll come back for you," he mutters. "When the time comes. Just hold on."
I don't understand him.
And I hope I never see him again.
They leave, taking the other maids with them. Rita remains, of course.
When it's time to depart, no one comes to see me off.
Not even my father.
The journey blurs together. I drift in and out of consciousness, weakened—hungry. I know the Queen ordered it this way. No food. No strength. No escape.
I have endured worse.
But even my body has limits.
After what feels like years, I see it—
A massive wall rising in the distance.
Ares.
I cling to consciousness just long enough to see it.
I hope… even if it's small… I hope there is something good waiting for me here.
Darkness takes me.