I didn't sleep.
All night, Queen Mireya's words circled my mind like vultures.
"Did you really think you were the only woman thatintrest him?
"They've been locked in there for over an hour."
I told myself it didn't matter. That I had no claim on the king's attention. That I was being ridiculous.
But the truth sat heavy in my chest.
His attention had made me feel special. Seen. Like I mattered.
And now I felt like a fool.
Morning light crept through my windows. I'd been awake for hours, staring at the ceiling, my mind racing.
Tala entered with breakfast. Took one look at my face.
"You didn't sleep, my lady."
"I'm fine."
"You're not, my lady." She set down the tray. "What happened?"
I shook my head. "Nothing. Just adjusting to palace life."
She didn't believe me, but she didn't push.
I forced myself to eat. To finish the reports the king had assigned me. My handwriting was sharper than usual. More precise. Like I was carving each word into the paper.
A knock at the door.
"Your Grace." The servant curtsied. "Lady Lyriana Halvek is here to see you."
My entire body went rigid.
Tala's eyes widened slightly. She moved closer. "My lady, perhaps you should..."
"Tell Lady Lyriana I'm indisposed." The words came out cold. Flat.
The servant blinked. "Your Grace?"
"I said I'm indisposed. Tell her we'll reschedule for another day."
"But my lady..." Tala started.
"I'm not in the mood to see anyone, Tala." I didn't look up from the reports. "She'll understand."
The servant curtsied quickly and left.
Tala stared at me. "My lady, Lady Lyriana is the Prime Minister's daughter. No one refuses her."
"I just did."
"My lady, this could..."
"I don't care." I set down my quill. Met her eyes. "I'm busy. She can visit another time."
Tala opened her mouth. Closed it. Then nodded slowly. "As you wish, my lady."
Twenty minutes later, another knock.
"Your Grace, the royal seamstress has arrived."
"Send her in."
The fitting took an hour. The seamstress measured me. Showed me fabrics. Discussed styles.
I chose deep colors. Rich blues. Emerald greens. Silver accents. Nothing pale. Nothing soft.
I wanted to look like I belonged here. Like I couldn't be erased.
When she finally left, I returned to the reports. Finished them. Sealed them.
"My lady," Tala said quietly. "His Majesty requested these by this afternoon. It's almost time."
I stood. Smoothed my dress. "Then let's go."
The walk to the king's study felt longer this time. Each step echoed in the empty corridors.
I knocked once.
"Enter."
I stepped inside.
King Asher sat behind his desk, reading something. He looked up when I entered.
His expression shifted immediately. Became warmer. Almost... pleased.
"Hazel. You finished the reports already?"
"Yes, Your Majesty." I walked forward. Set them on his desk. My voice was clipped. Professional.
He noticed immediately. His smile faded slightly.
He picked up the reports. Scanned the first page. Then the second.
His eyebrow rose. "These are excellent. Thorough. Precise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
He set them down. Leaned back in his chair. "Better than I expected, actually. You have a good eye for detail."
"I'm glad they meet your standards, Your Majesty."
Something in my tone made him pause. He studied me carefully.
"Sit," he said.
I sat. But I kept my hands folded. My spine straight.
He watched me for a long moment. "You look tired."
"I'm fine, Your Majesty."
"Did you sleep last night?"
"Sufficiently, Your Majesty."
His eyes narrowed. "Hazel, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, Your Majesty. If that's all, I should..."
"It's not all." He leaned forward. "You were different yesterday. Engaged. Now you're acting like a stranger delivering documents."
I said nothing.
"Did something happen?" His voice softened slightly. "Did one of the queens say something to you?"
I kept my face carefully neutral. "I'm simply performing my duties, Your Majesty. As assigned."
"That's not what I asked."
Silence.
He stood. Moved around the desk. Closer.
"Hazel. Talk to me."
And something inside me snapped.
I made a sound. Somewhere between a laugh and a scoff. Rolled my eyes before I could stop myself.
"Wouldn't you like to know, Your Majesty?"
The words were out before I realized what I'd said.
The temperature in the room dropped instantly.
King Asher went completely still.
His expression changed. The warmth vanished. His eyes went cold. Flat. Dangerous.
When he spoke, his voice was ice.
"What did you just say to me?"
My heart stopped.
Oh god. Oh god.
"Your Majesty, I..."
"Stand up."
I stood immediately. My legs trembling.
He stared at me. His jaw tight. His eyes blazing with barely controlled fury.
"I have conquered kingdoms," he said softly. Deadly. "I have destroyed armies. I have made kings kneel. And you, a princess I took out of pity just rolled your eyes at me."
"Your Majesty, I apologize. I didn't mean..."
"Get out."
The words were cold. Final. Absolute.
I stood frozen. "Your Majesty."
"I said..." His voice rose. Filled the room like thunder. "GET OUT."
I flinched.
For the first time since meeting him, I felt genuine fear.
This wasn't the man who'd had dinner with me. Who'd given me duties. Who'd looked at me like I was interesting.
This was the Demon of Anex.
And I'd just insulted him.
"Your Majesty, I'm sorry."
"NOW."
The roar made me stumble backward.
I turned. Walked quickly toward the door. My hands shaking. My heart pounding.
I grabbed the handle.
"Hazel."
I stopped. Didn't turn around.
His voice was soft again. But colder than winter.
"Don't come back here until you remember who you're speaking to."
I pulled the door open. Stepped into the corridor.
The door slammed shut behind me.
I stood there. Trembling.
Tala appeared from around the corner. Her eyes went wide when she saw my face.
"My lady? What happened?"
I couldn't speak.
From inside the study came a tremendous crash. Like something heavy being thrown against a wall.
Then another. And another.
Tala grabbed my arm. "My lady, we need to go. Now."
She pulled me down the corridor. Away from the study.
We didn't stop until we reached my chambers.
Tala closed the door. Locked it. Turned to me.
"My lady, what did you do?"
I sank into a chair. My legs finally giving out.
"I was rude to him." My voice came out barely above a whisper. "I rolled my eyes. I..." I couldn't finish.
Tala's face went pale. "You rolled your eyes. At the king."
I nodded.
She sat down heavily. "My lady. No one does that. Ever. Not even his generals."
"I know."
"He could..." She stopped herself.
"He could what, Tala? Divorce me? Execute me?" I laughed. "Maybe that would be easier."
"Don't say that, my lady."
We sat in silence.
Then Tala spoke quietly. "What made you do it?"
I closed my eyes. Saw Mireya's smile. Heard Lyriana's voice.
"We work so closely together."
"It doesn't matter now," I said.
"It does, my lady. Because you just made an enemy of the most dangerous man in the world."
"I think I just made an enemy of myself."