章節 28: He Knows Now II
*****
~Queen Fortuna~
It had been four days since the new concubine was locked away, and even the
air in the quarters felt different—lighter, calmer. The tension that once hung
over us seemed to fade with each passing day. Tonight, I planned to celebrate.
I didn't want to wait until after her execution tomorrow. No, I wanted the joy
now.
"Have you checked on the musicians?" I asked Angelina as I walked
through the hall, inspecting the decorations. They met my expectations, though
I wished for more color—something vibrant to brighten the space when the sun
set.
"Yes, Your Highness," Angelina bowed. "The candles are here,
and the wine is ready for tonight."
"It better be enough," I said, my gaze drifting to the locked door
of the concubine's room. It hadn't been opened since her arrest, not even for
Marissa. "Clear that room. It will remain empty from now on."
"Do you think that's wise?"
I froze, turning to glare at her. Was she losing her mind? Lately, she
questioned everything. "This will be the last time you challenge me. Do
you understand?"
Her face paled as she dropped to her knees. "Forgive me, Your
Highness."
I said nothing more and turned to head downstairs, but my steps halted when
I saw the queen mother approaching. My chest tightened. If I could vanish into
thin air, I would.
She was coming straight for me, her expression calm but determined. I knew
why. She wanted to ask about the new concubine. I had already convinced her
that the princess was safe and would return soon, but I knew her too well.
Mother wouldn't stop until she got the truth.
Fortuna?" The queen mother's voice cut through the air. She was only a
few steps away, her sharp eyes sweeping over the decorations. There was a
flicker of suspicion in her gaze. "What's the occasion? Is something
happening?"
I cleared my throat, forcing a smile. "Mother," I bowed slightly.
"I just want the women to enjoy themselves. The games are in two days, and
I thought we could start the celebration early."
She nodded, her expression softening, though her eyes remained watchful. She
never minded my parties, but tonight, something lingered behind her calm
demeanor.
"I wanted to ask," she began, her tone cautious. "Are you
sure Katrina went to the temple, as you said?" Her brow furrowed with
concern.
My chest tightened. Why was she asking about the new concubine again? And
why did she call her Katrina?
"Who is Katrina?" I asked, feigning ignorance. I had told her
earlier that the new concubine went to the temple to pray, but I never
mentioned a name.
"The new concubine," she said, watching me closely. "Her name
is Katrina. I thought you knew."
My heart pounded in my chest. I felt rooted to the spot, my mind racing.
Katrina. That name wasn't just a coincidence.
I remembered it all too well. The king had once been infatuated with a woman
named Katrina. His desire for her had been undeniable. A few days ago, when I
asked him about it, he acted as if the name meant nothing, as if she was
forgotten.
But he had quickly changed the subject, brushing it off.
And now... the new concubine was Katrina?
A cold dread settled over me. This wasn't just a game anymore.
I had convinced myself that the chapter about Katrina was closed, buried in
the past.
But now… could it be the same Katrina?
No. The king wouldn't lie to me. He wouldn't.
Or would he?
Maybe his obsession with her was stronger than I realized. Maybe he hid her
to keep me from finding out, to avoid stirring my fears.
No. No!
My heart pounded, each beat sharper than the last. This couldn't be true.
The new concubine being Katrina had to be a coincidence. It had to be. She
couldn't be the same woman the king once desired.
But if she was…
Then there was going to be trouble.
"Are you alright, Fortuna?" The queen mother's voice was gentle,
yet laced with concern. She stepped closer, her hand resting lightly on my arm.
Her touch jolted me back to reality. A cold shiver ran through me as I met
her eyes.
"I... I had no idea she was Katrina," I stammered, my voice
trembling. I fought to keep control, but it felt like the ground beneath me was
crumbling.
In the distance, the women watched. They didn't know why I suddenly looked
like I'd seen a ghost.
But soon… they would.
"It's nothing. I'll send the guards to bring her back from the
temple," Mother insisted, her tone firm.
Panic surged through me. I shook my head quickly, too quickly. "No,
Mother. Leave that to—"
Before I could finish, I saw him. The king. He was entering the quarters,
and from where we stood, we could see him clearly.
My heart sank. His face was dark, his expression fierce. It was the look of
a man whose anger had been stirred awake. A part of me prayed I wasn't the
reason.
He was heading straight for us. Fear gripped me, and I instinctively stepped
back, thinking of retreating to my room.
But then his voice thundered through the quarters.
"Fortuna."
A shiver ran down my spine, cold and sharp. I closed my eyes briefly,
knowing there was no escape. He knew. He had figured out that I had arrested
his concubine.
I tried to calm myself, clinging to the hope that this was just another one
of his reprimands—Don't act without my permission next time. But the dread in
my chest told me it was more.
Slowly, I turned to face him and bowed. From the corner of my eye, I saw
Marissa standing nearby, her head veiled. But the bruises I gave her peeked
through, betraying her. She caused this.
Before I could speak, the king seized my hand in a crushing grip, dragging
me with him.
His hold was so tight it felt like my flesh might tear. I bit my lip to keep
from crying out.
He kicked open the nearest door and shoved me inside, slamming it shut
behind us. Finally, he let go of my hand, leaving me to stumble backward, my
heart racing.
"How many times have I warned you never to punish any of my
concubines?" His voice thundered, reverberating through the room as he
stormed in.
I scrambled to get off the floor, but my dress tangled around my feet,
making me stumble backward. My heart pounded as I struggled to steady myself.
"I've told you countless times—you have no right!" His forehead
creased, his eyes blazing with fury. "You seem to have a problem with
Katrina. I thought we agreed you'd let it go."
"Forgive me, Your Highness," I choked out, tears blurring my
vision. "I didn't punish her because of what she did to me… but because
she disrespected my husband." My voice trembled. I'd never seen him this
angry before. I never thought I would.
"Where is she?" His voice was cold, cutting.
"T-the prison," I stammered, my head bowed. I knew I'd crossed the
line. It stung to see him like this—so enraged over a concubine.
He took a deep breath, then walked toward me. His hand grasped mine, pulling
me to my feet. His touch was firm, yet it sent a shiver down my spine.
"If anything happens to her," he said, his voice low but
dangerous, "I'll make sure you suffer the same." His fingers brushed
my cheek, a gesture that felt more like a warning than comfort.
Before I could respond, he turned and left, the door slamming behind him.
His words echoed in my mind, each one heavier than the last. What if
something happens to Katrina in the prison? Will he ever forgive me?
Fear tightened around my chest. I sank to the floor, trembling, paralyzed by
the weight of what might come next.
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票