章 23: Skull Soldiers.
Katrina~.
I didn't say a word on the way back to the palace. Everything that had happened weighed heavily on me. How could a boy who seemed close to death wake up in my arms?
It didn't make sense, and a small, anxious part of me wondered if this was a setup to disgrace me. Yet, as much as the shock rattled me, I was glad he was alive.
The only problem was that everyone now thought I had the power to heal.
When we reached the palace, I stepped down from the carriage, eager to retreat to my room, but the king stopped me.
"I didn't know you were going to use your powers in front of the crowd," he said, his gaze intense. "I don't like you drawing so much attention. It's risky."
His words stung. "Forgive me, your highness. It just happened. I saw the boy lying there, his mother crying. I couldn't ignore their pain." My voice softened, thinking of my own losses. "I know what it's like to lose someone you love."
The king tilted his head, studying me. "Who did you lose?"
I swallowed hard. I lost my precious mother but there was no way I could tell him that lady Poria wasn't my real mother. "It wasn't a lover, if that's what you're thinking. I lost my grandmother. She meant everything to me."
He nodded, his expression unreadable. "I'm sorry for your loss, but... I don't understand the feeling. People mean little to me. When they die, they're just gone. Nothing more."
The coldness in his words surprised me. It was as though he had no heart.
Suddenly, I understood the cruelty of the games Marissa had warned me about.
"You've never mourned anyone?" I asked, unsure if I wanted to know the answer.
The king looked away, his voice low. "I've never loved. I don't know what that feels like."
Before I could process his answer, he changed the topic. "So, how will tonight be?"
I blinked, taken off guard. "You still want to see me?"
Queen Fortuna was nearby, her eyes watching us like a hawk as she whispered with the maids.
"Why would I miss it?" The king stepped closer, his lips curling into a smile. "You are mine, after all."
I let out a soft giggle—not because his words thrilled me, but because they gave me courage.
Maybe I could finally get what I needed from him. Taking a deep breath, I asked, "Can I… spend the night in your chambers?"
His expression changed, and for a tense moment, he stared at me. But then, he shook his head. "No. I will come to the quarters instead."
His response wasn't angry, and I felt a flicker of hope. Maybe I could push a bit further. "But I don't want it that way," I said, trying to sound casual, even though my heart was pounding. I needed this. I needed access to those letters.
The king's face hardened. "My answer remains no, Katrina." He took a step back, his eyes narrowing, as if he was starting to understand I had other motives.
His refusal stung, but I wasn't going to give up so easily. "If you won't invite me," I said, struggling to keep my voice steady, "then forget about tonight. Forget everything that's happened between us." My hands clenched, fighting the urge to lash out.
If I mattered to him, he'd consider my request. But it was clear—I was no Fortuna, no queen in his eyes.
His so-called affection was just empty words, a hollow promise.
"Fine," I added bitterly, "go ahead and arrange my marriage to Prince Elvin. At least he might actually care about me."
My words hung in the air, sharp and dangerous, daring him to respond.
His face darkened, and his eyes flashed with a deep anger. "Get out of my sight," he commanded, his voice hard as steel. "I won't allow this kind of disrespect."
I had never seen him so furious. His eyes burned with barely-contained rage.
I stepped back, my pulse racing, then turned and walked away, feeling his gaze burning into my back.
As I left, I caught a glimpse of Fortuna running to his side, her face filled with worry, like a mother ready to defend her child.
I walked back to my room with a heavy heart, knowing I'd ruined my chances with the king.
What had I been thinking? That he'd break his own rules just to make me happy? Now I'd only managed to make him angrier, his feelings toward me colder than ever.
Marissa had warned me to stay on his good side, but I hadn't listened.
I'd let my own desires take control, and now I'd pay the price. But still, a small part of me felt relieved that I'd spoken my mind, even if it was reckless. It felt good to release some of that anger.
"So, what do we do now?" Marissa's voice was quiet, worried.
"We go to plan B," I said, feeling more determined. "I want it done as soon as possible. Get me a map of the main palace."
"There's no such map," she replied, hesitating, but then offered a solution. "I can make a sketch. It would guide us from the entrance to the chambers. But I've never been inside his chambers… I don't know exactly what it's like."
Of course, the king wouldn't allow anyone inside his chambers. He was hiding something, something he didn't want anyone to find.
Within the hour, Marissa had drawn a rough map of the main palace. It wasn't detailed, but it was more than I'd expected. This small plan in my hands felt like hope.
Marissa's sketch of the palace lay before me, crude but clear enough to show the main pathways and hidden corners.
I traced my finger over it, taking in every detail. There were strange skull symbols around the king's chambers. I pointed to them, my voice barely a whisper.
"What are these?"
Marissa looked uneasy. "The Skull Soldiers," she replied quietly. "They guard the king's chambers. They're not ordinary soldiers, milady. They're ruthless."
"Like venomous snakes?"
"Yes, deadly as any snake. We'll have to get past them if we want to enter."
My heart pounded. This plan was more dangerous than I'd imagined. One wrong move, and it could be the end of us both.
Just then, the door flew open, and Queen Fortuna stormed in, her expression furious. Behind her stood a group of soldiers, their faces grim. She lifted a finger, pointing straight at me.
"Arrest her!"
A chill ran through me, and my body went numb. I tried to stand, but fear held me in place.
My mouth opened to ask why, but no words came out. My throat felt dry as sand.
I glanced at Marissa. Her face was pale, her eyes wide with terror. Beads of sweat clung to her forehead as she looked between me and the soldiers.
She was shaking but tried to step forward, ready to defend me. But I raised my hand, stopping her.
I knew there was no use resisting. There were too many reasons to arrest me.
My entire identity here was built on lies. I was no healer. And now, all of it was crumbling around me.
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