"Punished?" she repeated, not clear of his meaning.
She stared at his intimidating eyes staring silently at her and she shifted uncomfortably.
He tilted his head a little, and Emilia slowly recalled his words the last time they met.
"I told you I would settle scores with you sooner or later," Lucas told her, reading into her thoughts with his eyes gleaming.
"What punishment do you think you deserve for that?" he asked,
Emilia pressed her lips together, fearfully. This is why he kept what she did a secret, so he could deal with her however he pleased.
But since he is asking her, then he must not have it in mind to kill her, so it's fine. Whatever punishment he chooses, she will endure it and…
Lucas tilted his head towards the other side, studying her as a look of horror appeared on her face.
"You look like I'm going to swallow you," he pointed out, and Emilia's throat went dry.
Lucas inched closer, close enough that she felt the heat in his body and his hand reached out to touch her face.
The slow breath from him brushed her cheek and she exhaled nervously.
"I am willing to accept whatever punishment you pronounce, your Majesty," Emilia said, lowering her gaze, afraid their lips might end up on each other otherwise.
Lucas felt amused by her timidness and leaned closer again.
His hand brushed her hair away from her neck, and his fingers grazed her skin, slowly and deliberately.
Emilia's shoulder trembled slightly, and she closed her eyes, her fist clenched on the bed.
Lucas breathed her in deeply, not taking note of her reaction to him, his nose trailing along the line of her jaw.
He wasn't sure why he was feeling so attracted to her but couldn't stop himself and murmured against her ear.
"You smell like jasmine,"
Emilia's breath stopped for a second.
Her body tensed beneath his invading moves, and she opened her eyes to push him again, but Lucas pulled her closer still, his lips dangerously hovering near hers, so close that she could almost feel the kiss that didn't come.
Emilia's lashes fluttered, and she was surprisingly not irritated by the kiss coming, but then the thought that he might want to have her body jolted in her brain and she panicked.
She swallowed down a lump and shut her eyes, a twisted expression settling on her face, but instead of a kiss, Lucas's hand suddenly slid away, then he pulled back, letting go of her.
"Open your eyes," he said, his tone crisp now and Emilia obeyed.
"You will be demoted to a servant, and serve in the side chambers for a while...until my anger is subdued."
Emilia's eyes snapped open at his words, stunned.
She stared at him, completely confused.
"What?"
The side chamber is usually used by a maid favored by the King, one that warms his bed and is usually discarded after.
Lucas stood up from the bed, towering over her.
"You would serve me as a maid there. Attend to my needs, clean and dress my wounds every day."
"That's your punishment," he answered.
"But…" Emilia tried to protest, but Lucas raised a hand against her protest, cutting her off.
"You are dismissed for now, don't make me repeat myself."
Emilia rose quietly, her cheeks flushed with confusion and humiliation.
She bowed low, then walked out numb, her heart thudding, utterly unsure of what had just happened.
Thomas stepped back inside the room as soon as Emilia made her way out.
Lucas's face returned to a blank mask, as though the moment between him and Emilia didn't happen.
Then his voice cuts through the silence.
"Prepare the side chambers to accommodate her."
"She will move in," he said, and Thomas furrowed.
"Why are you sure someone will try to harm the Queen?" he asked.
"I'm not sure, I want to be safe," Lucas responded.
"You have already asked her to move in, no one would dare to hurt her under your nose", Thomas replied, knowing his concern.
"Prepare the side chambers to accommodate her, she will move in."
"What if the target doesn't attack in the next few days?" Thomas queries.
"Then I will make it a few weeks," Lucas responded firmly.
Thomas sighed, wanting to remind him it was not ideal to keep the Queen in that side chamber for that long, but decided against it and left to carry out his instructions.
~
Eleanor stared at the parchment in her hand, her eyes narrowing in frustration.
The letter Missy stole from Alice lies flat on her lap. She reads it and reads it again, but its contents are simply ordinary.
Staring at the fond greetings from Emilia's brother, Eleanor couldn't help but get furious. She understood that her family would be grateful to her but didn't expect their relationship to still be so good.
Eleanor's fingers curled around the edge, creasing it slightly.
"This can't be it," she hissed under her breath, her lips trembling.
The joy she felt when Lucas saved her earlier turned sour. He had always been indifferent, no matter who the Queen was, but now he is beginning to favor her.
"Isn't he trying to get her killed faster?" Eleanor cursed under her breath.
Her fingers tapped restlessly against the wooden armrest of her chair. She would love to get rid of Emilia immediately, but her father had already warned her not to do anything rash.
She had spent years cultivating Lucas's affection, from little, obeying the Queen Mother, rejecting numerous suitors worshiping at her feet to be with him.
She has not even managed to grasp his affection now. Emilia is trying to steal that affection from under her nose.
No. She must know what's going on.
With a sharp breath, Eleanor turned to Missy, who stood stiffly by the door.
"Have someone bring this letter to my father," she said in a clipped tone. Handing the letter over to Missy.
Even if the letter doesn't contain any important details, he won't stay put to see Emilia receiving a letter from the Markham mansion.
"Tell him the Queen is still trying to collide with her family to plot another rebellion and report back immediately on his answer."