Rosella
I felt humiliated, a heat of shame crawling up my neck as Damian announced that the concubines would compete for the title of noble consort.
That was not our agreement. He had returned to his word, knowing well that I had no power to challenge him. I was just a human among wolves, someone he could twist and bend at his will, and that knowledge burned deeper than any wound.
Why would he ask me to become his noble consort in private when he would say something else in front of everyone?
"If I were you, I'd never come back after everything that happened to you," Danielle said mockingly as she stood before me, arms folded, a smug smile on her face.
"If you had even a shred of pride, you'd stay far away from this competition. You'll never be like us." Her voice dripped with condescension as she flipped her hair and laughed softly. "After all the damage you've caused, you still came here dressing like anyone wanted you to be here."
