Why did you never come? I waited and waited until I was tired of waiting. I thought I would never see you again. Do you know how hard it has been?
That was what I wanted to say. But the words were trapped in my throat, choked back by years of silence.
The Former Empress gently pulled away, her thumbs brushing the salt from my cheeks.
"You look just like your mother," she whispered, a sad smile touching her lips. "She was the most beautiful woman I ever knew."
I let her wipe my tears, my lips pulling into a slight pout. "How would I know? I never saw her myself."
"That is understandable. But listen to me, my child," she said, her voice turning grave. "You are precious. Far more than you realize."
I blinked, confused. How could she say that? People feared me, hated me, and called me a villainess. "Precious? I think most people believe the opposite."
She didn't argue; she only smiled that gentle, knowing smile. "Remember to keep your guard up, Pati. You are God's blessing in the House of Ellington."
A blessing? I felt more like a curse to everyone I touched. Before I could ask what she meant, she stepped back, adjusting her veil. "Now, I must go. For the sake of everyone, I must remain in the shadows."
"Wait!" I reached out. "At least tell me when we will meet again!"
She didn't respond. She didn't even look back. She simply walked away, disappearing into the garden like a dream fading at dawn.
I sat there on the stone bench until the cold air helped me pull my mask back into place. I was just smoothing my skirts when I saw him.
Derrick was walking toward me, his pace hurried and his face a mask of simmering rage. I remained seated, refusing to show him my fear.
"Pati."
Just one word, and I felt the suffocating weight of his emotions. It was revolting. He reached down, grabbing my arm with a grip that bruised, and hauled me toward the carriage. Once the door was shut, he cornered me, pinning me against the velvet seat. His hand gripped my face roughly, forcing my eyes to meet his.
"What are you doing? Let go!" I snapped. My hands were shaking, but I kept my voice steady.
"What did the Prince do to you?" He snarled the words.
My heart hammered against my ribs. If I lied, he would know. If I told the truth, he would lose what little sanity he had left. "The Prince... he said he would keep me as his own."
Derrick's grip tightened on my jaw until I winced. "How dare he... How can he claim what belongs to me?"
His eyes dropped, narrowing as he saw the handkerchief I was still pressing against my neck. "What is this? Why are you hiding your neck? Whose handkerchief is this?"
He reached out to rip my hand away. I held on firmly, my knuckles white.
"Pati... I am giving you one last warning. Let me see what's—"
A sharp knock on the carriage door cut him off.
"Who is it?" Derrick roared, not even trying to hide his fury.
"My lord, the King has summoned you immediately," a guard's voice called out.
Derrick let out a long, ragged sigh.
For a moment, I thought I was free. But before he climbed out, he pulled me into his arms, crushing me against him. He pulled me onto his lap, his body pressing into mine with a possessive heat that no brother should ever feel for a sister. He never bothered to hide his lust from me. He wanted me to know.
"Let go..." I gasped, the air leaving my lungs.
Finally, he released me. I slumped against the seat, taking deep, shaking breaths.
"I have to go," he whispered, his eyes
lingering on my lips. "But I promise to be back soon... my dear Pati."
Go die in a hole, you bastard, I thought. But I only gave a stiff nod.
He stepped out of the carriage and walked away, leaving his personal knights behind. They remained stationed at the door—ostensibly to escort me home, but I knew the truth. They were my jailers.