The silence lingered for only a moment longer before the general stepped forward once again, reclaiming the attention of the hall.
"With that," he announced, his voice carrying effortlessly across the grand chamber, "the selection for this evening is concluded."
A ripple moved through the crowd. Some were relieved. Some were disappointed.
"We thank you all for your attendance," he continued formally. "Your presence has been noted, and your loyalty to the crown is appreciated."
His gaze swept across the guests one final time.
"The ball is hereby brought to an end. You may now take your leave."
Soft murmurs rose immediately, the tension that had gripped the room dissolving into hushed conversations and the rustling of gowns. One by one, the unselected maidens began to retreat toward their families. Gentle bows were offered toward the throne before they turned away.
I remained where I stood, suddenly aware that while the ball was over for them… it had only just begun for us.
My eyes drifted to Mother. She smiled at me warmly and blew me a kiss. Despite everything, I found myself laughing softly at her.
Then my gaze shifted to Ariel. She waved at me with a wide, almost exaggerated smile, as though she were trying to be brave for the both of us.
It felt as though I was not leaving them in one month… but now. As though the moment had come too quickly, without warning. I blinked rapidly, refusing to let the tears fall.
Soon enough, a maid approached and bowed slightly before gesturing for me to follow. I took one last glance before allowing myself to be escorted away.
The corridors was grand and quiet. Quieter.
When we finally reached the chamber assigned to me, the maid pushed the doors open and stepped aside.
The room was grand, far grander than I expected. A large bed draped in silk, tall windows overlooking the inner courtyard, a vanity set neatly by the wall. Everything was arranged with care.
I stepped inside slowly.
The maid followed, then bowed. "Everything you may need is in this room," she said, her tone carefully controlled. "You need not worry about anything."
She kept her gaze lowered, though something in her posture felt… stiff. "But," she continued, just slightly too crisp, "if anything should warrant your needing assistance, you may call for help."
Her words were polite. Yet beneath that lowered gaze, there was the faintest trace of reluctance, almost as though serving someone like me was not as honorable a task as it appeared.
She straightened. "I shall take my leave now."
I sat on the edge of the bed after she left, my hands resting quietly in my lap as my eyes wandered around the room. It still did not feel real. I could not imagine how wildly my life had turned around in the span of a single night. I did not know if it was for the better… or for something far worse.
I had always to live peacefully beside Mother until the day God decided it was my time to follow Father. Nothing grand or extraordinary. Yet now, here I was. A participant in a trial among six maidens. The thought alone made my chest tighten.
I had never wished for this. I had never wished for a husband at all, let alone a prince. And certainly not one who seemed so cruel and ill-mannered.
My fingers tightened slightly around the fabric of my gown.
I wondered how Mother was now.
The cottage would feel different without me. Too quiet and hollow. Every corner of it held memories, Father's laughter, Mother's gentle humming, the small life we had carefully built together. Every glance she cast around that house would surely remind her of both of us.
The thought alone stung my heart. Tears welled in my eyes before I could stop them. I should have refused.
I should never have attended that ball. Perhaps then everything would still be as it was this morning.
I lifted a hand and quickly wiped my tears away, refusing to let myself drown in them. What had been done could not be undone.
Slowly, I rose from the bed and began to loosen the fastenings of my gown. The silence of the chamber wrapped around me like a heavy cloak.
I knew sleep would not come tonight. My mind was far too restless for such mercy.
And yet… A small, quiet part of me wished for something else. I wondered if my guardian angel would come.
The thought alone brought a faint warmth to my chest.
•
•
•
Nathan's POV
In the large bathing chamber, I stood in the pool-like stone tub as warm water streamed gently around me. The bath had been prepared to excess, as always. Four maids sat along the edge, carefully washing my arms and shoulders with soft cloths soaked in perfumed water.
The chamber itself was vast, lit by tall candles placed along the walls. Their flames flickered against the polished marble, casting shifting shadows across the room. Steam curled slowly upward, gathering near the high ceiling.
I leaned my head back slightly against the smooth edge of the tub, my eyes half closed.
The evening had been exhausting. Balls had always been a tedious affair, full of forced smiles, hollow courtesies, and people pretending to be something they were not.
Tonight had been no different. If anything, it had been worse.
My mind drifted back to the hall. The frightened and badly injured man on the floor.
The foolish maidens eager to shout for blood.
A quiet scoff escaped me.
Humans were predictable creatures. Present them with a crime and they would rush to judgment before seeking truth.
But then, there had been one exception.
Adeline.
The girl whose mouth ran wildly, as though the Gods themselves had personally offended her. I must say, the words of her mouth were filled with wisdom.
My jaw tightened slightly at the memory of how she threw insults at me in the courtyard.