Chapter 20: A Fight For Survival.
~Katrina~
I wondered just how many lies my father had fed the king. It seemed there were more than I ever imagined.
I bit my nails and glanced over at him. He was speaking with Queen Fortuna, and every now and then, she glanced my way and whispered something to him. I was sure they were discussing me.
I needed to get my hands on those letters my father sent the king. Only the gods knew what promises he made on my behalf.
What if he told the king I could raise the dead? How would I even begin to prove that? I felt a rush of panic.
I had to find those letters. They'd be in the king's chambers, and they'd reveal what exactly my father claimed I could do.
As for this so-called healing power… I needed to convince everyone I truly had it.
To do that, I'd have to come up with a plan. Not just any plan, but something brilliant that would make them believe.
I sighed, glancing at Marissa, who stood quietly behind Rowland and me as we waited for the king to finish speaking with Fortuna. They seemed to be taking longer than usual, probably talking about me.
But jealousy was the least of my worries right now.
The king finally called me over and mentioned we'd be visiting the village. I didn't want to go, but he insisted, and I had no choice but to obey.
Queen Fortuna was suddenly being kind to me, but I knew it was because of this "healing power" they thought I had.
What did they really want from me? Was there someone they wanted me to heal? Or was there something they weren't telling me?
If I only knew who they needed healed and what kind of illness it was, I could begin planning my next move.
"Are you alright?" the king asked again, his voice soft, and I wished he would stop. Every time he asked, it only tightened the fear in my chest.
"Yes, your highness," I curtsied, trying to steady my voice. "I'll go back to the quarters and prepare."
"Alright," he said, though his eyes showed he didn't believe me.
As I walked back, I forced myself to breathe, to keep from breaking. But once I was safely in my room, I locked the door, fell to my knees, and let out all the pain I'd held inside.
My father was cruel, yes, but I never imagined he'd be so reckless, so selfish.
How was I supposed to heal when I didn't have the power? How could I fix anything here if I couldn't even fix myself?
I buried my face in my hands, trying to hold myself together, to think of a way out. But the weight of being so alone crushed me.
I'd come here for a purpose, and now it all felt like a lie. Who would help me now?
I barely heard Marissa knocking softly on my door, pleading for me to let her in.
She was so loyal, so concerned for me, and here I was, sinking in a mess I hadn't even created.
I rose, wiped my tears, and opened the door. Crying wouldn't help me now. It would only make me weaker. I'd come too far to let it all fall apart.
"Milady, what happened?" Marissa whispered, her face worried, eyes shining with tears.
I sat down, gathering my thoughts. "We have a big problem, Marissa."
She shook her head, horrified. "No, milady. You can't be in trouble."
"I've been in trouble since the moment I arrived here," I said softly. She couldn't understand the depths of it, but I had to start somewhere. "Can I trust you?"
She nodded, her face determined, but I needed more than a nod.
I needed loyalty, a promise. The truth was too dangerous to share lightly. I leaned in close. "If you ever tell anyone what I'm about to say, I swear, Marissa, I will kill you and dump your body in a river."
She gasped, but her gaze didn't waver. "I would never betray you, milady. I'll serve you until my last breath."
"Swear it," I pressed.
She fell to her knees, hands clasped, sincerity shining in her eyes. "I swear, milady."
"Good," I said, glancing toward the door to be sure we were alone. "Now tell me… how can I get into the king's chambers?"
Her eyes widened in shock, as though I'd said something forbidden. "No one goes there uninvited," she whispered, glancing around.
But this wasn't just curiosity. It was survival. And I would find a way.
"Unless the king invites me, right?" I asked, feeling a spark of determination.
It wouldn't be too hard to get an invitation if I played it right.
We were supposed to see each other tonight anyway—why not ask if we could meet in his chambers?
The thought lingered in my mind. Tonight, we were supposed to spend time together.
How could I have almost forgotten? Even though my mood was shattered, I had a goal, and I had to see it through.
"Yes, Princess Katrina," Marissa said, pulling me from my thoughts. "But it's nearly impossible to get that invitation. Only his mother, sister, and wife are allowed in his chambers. Concubines are forbidden from spending the night there."
I sank back into the chair, frustration bubbling up. So many rules and restrictions, treating us like we were unwanted, when he was the one who brought us here in the first place.
But I wouldn't just sit back and let them control my fate. I'd find a way to make my own path.
"The king has a sister?" I asked, surprised.
"Yes, two. They've gone to visit a relative who recently married, but the queen mother stayed back to welcome you," Marissa explained.
"His sisters are the least of my worries right now." I tried to focus, pulling myself back to the real issue. "We're supposed to visit the village soon to see the complex being built. Tonight, I'll ask him if we can meet in his chambers. Do you think that's too bold?"
"I don't know, milady. But we should have a plan B if this doesn't work," Marissa suggested, her voice steady but her eyes wary.
She was smart, and I liked that. "Alright. If plan A doesn't work, you'll help me sneak into the king's chambers." I stood up, the urgency buzzing through me. "What's the punishment if we're caught?"
Her face paled, but she whispered, "First, we'd go to prison. Then... the king uses us in his cruel game."
The words sent a chill through me. This wasn't the first time Marissa had mentioned the king's "game," but her fear made me uneasy. I had to know. "What happens in this game?" I asked, watching her tremble.
"People die… for entertainment."
A cold shiver gripped me, more frightening than I'd expected. What kind of game was this?
"Why haven't I seen this game?"
Marissa's voice was barely a whisper. "The season is just beginning. The king's prepared his victims. He even got new horses… it's close."
Her hands were shaking. I went to her side, holding them tightly. "It won't happen to us, Marissa. We'll be careful. I promise."
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