The door closed with a quiet click.
Too quiet.
Aphrodite stood where she was, her hands resting at her sides, her gaze lowered. She didn't speak. She didn't move.
She waited.
Queen Alaria walked slowly across the room, her heels echoing softly against the floor. There was no rush in her steps. No anger in her posture.
That was what made it worse.
"Are you okay?" she asked again, her voice calm—almost gentle.
Aphrodite hesitated.
"Yes… your majesty."
A small smile formed on Alaria's lips.
"Good," she said. "I would hate to think you were… harmed tonight."
Silence stretched between them.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
Alaria stepped closer.
"Tell me," she continued softly, circling her, "did you enjoy the attention?"
Aphrodite blinked.
"I didn't—"
"Commander Zeke," Alaria interrupted. "A high-ranking man. Interested in you."
A pause.
"That must have felt… special."
Aphrodite shook her head slightly. "No, your majesty."
Alaria stopped in front of her.
"Do you think you deserve that kind of attention?" she asked.
Aphrodite lowered her gaze further.
"No."
"Good."
The word landed softly.
Too softly.
Alaria reached out suddenly, gripping Aphrodite's chin and forcing her head up.
Their eyes met.
"You seem to forget yourself," Alaria said, her voice dropping. "You are not a princess."
A pause.
"You are not equal to them."
Her grip tightened slightly.
"You are here because we allowed it."
Aphrodite's breathing remained steady.
Too steady.
"I understand," she whispered.
Alaria studied her.
There was no panic.
No fear.
That—
irritated her.
Her hand dropped.
"You embarrassed me tonight," she said calmly.
Aphrodite frowned slightly. "I didn't mean to—"
The slap came fast.
Sharp.
Her head snapped to the side.
Silence followed.
Aphrodite didn't cry out.
Didn't move.
Slowly, she straightened.
"I'm sorry," she said.
Alaria's expression didn't change.
"Are you?" she asked.
Aphrodite nodded.
Another strike.
Harder this time.
Aphrodite stumbled, her balance breaking as she fell to her knees.
Still—
no tears.
No resistance.
Alaria watched her closely now.
Something about it felt… wrong.
"Look at me," she ordered.
Aphrodite lifted her head.
Calm.
Too calm.
For a moment—
something flickered across Alaria's face.
Not concern.
Not fear.
Curiosity.
Then it was gone.
"You will remember your place," Alaria said coldly.
She stepped back.
"Kneel there," she ordered. "And do not move."
Aphrodite obeyed.
Minutes passed.
Or maybe longer.
Time didn't feel real anymore.
The room was silent.
Still.
But beneath that stillness—
something stirred.
Faint.
Unfamiliar.
Like something deep inside her had shifted.
Not pain.
Not fear.
Something else.
Something waiting.
Elsewhere in the castle
Nikklaus couldn't stay still.
He paced his room, tension rolling off him in waves.
His jaw was tight. His hands clenched.
His wolf was restless.
You let them touch her.
"I didn't have a choice."
You always have a choice.
His eyes darkened.
You let them hurt her.
Something in his chest twisted.
Sharp.
Uncomfortable.
"I stopped it."
Too late.
Silence.
That word lingered.
Too late.
Nikklaus ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply.
He could still see it.
The way she fell.
The way she looked at him.
Calm.
Not broken.
That—
bothered him more than anything.
"She said she had it," he muttered.
His wolf snarled.
She lied.
His fists clenched tighter.
Something wasn't right.
He felt it.
Faint.
Distant.
But there.
Like something pulling at him.
Go to her.
Nikklaus froze.
His gaze shifted toward the door.
For a moment—
he considered it.
Then—
he didn't move.
Not yet.
Back in the room
Aphrodite remained on her knees.
Still.
Silent.
Her cheek throbbed faintly.
Her body ached.
But her mind—
felt different.
Clearer.
Quieter.
And beneath it all—
that same strange feeling lingered.
Growing.
Waiting.
Because something had changed tonight.
Not just in the castle.
Not just in him.
But in her.
And whatever it was—
it wasn't small.
It wasn't weak.
It wasn't human.
Do you think Queen Alaria will go further next time?
Will Nikklaus continue to hold back… or finally act?
And what exactly is beginning to awaken inside Aphrodite?