The ball was winding down, the music softening, and the crowd thinning. Eveline felt heat rising in her body, spreading uncomfortably. She tried to steady herself, to focus, but dizziness clouded her vision.
"Eveline, are you all right?" a voice asked urgently.
She blinked against the blur, recognizing one of the ladies-in-waiting. Her instincts screamed that this was no act of concern, these were the same people who had never liked her. This was their plan.
"No," she whispered, struggling against their grip. But it was no use. They seized her hands fiercely, dragging her out of the ballroom.
Amber leaned close, pressing a tablecloth to Eveline's lips and whispering, "I know you miss fucking men. Don't worry… you'll be well satisfied tonight."
Eveline's heart pounded. She twisted, desperate for an escape, seeking even a hint of cool air.
Merlia's voice came next. "I hope your cousin is ready."
Amber's cousin, notorious for his conquests and scandalous habits, had long desired the brothel queen but he was not exclusive enough to spend a night with her. Now, he beamed at the thought of finally claiming her.
When the door opened, Eveline was pushed onto the bed. Francis, Amber's cousin, froze at the sight of her pale, smooth skin and the faint blush coloring her cheeks, he couldn't help but get hard. Amber snapped him out of his trance.
"Focus," she hissed. "You'll have your time soon, just don't take too long, we will come again with the queen and many nobles, remember the story, make it believable." She dragged Merlia and left.
Francis moved forward, hand reaching for her, but then a loud knock rang through the door. He scowled, annoyed. "What now?"
Before he could react, a punch flew, staggering him backward. He cleaned his bloody nose and looked up, "Isn't it the infamous princess, it's truly a pleasure seeing you but I am a currently busy...." Lily had smashed a vase across his head. He stumbled, blood trickling from his nose, then collapsed.
Lily's legs nearly gave way. "I… I didn't kill him, did I?" she stammered.
"No," Chloe said, lifting her chin firmly. "You just delayed him. Now take care of Eveline."
Lily nodded, hurrying to fetch water and towels to cool Eveline's flushed body. Meanwhile, Chloe dragged Francis out of the room, though she briefly lost her footing and almost dropped him in the hallway. She finally carried him to the servant quarters.
That's when Anthony appeared. His piercing gaze swept over Chloe, immediately making her uneasy.
"What did you do?" he demanded.
"I didn't do anything wrong," Chloe said quickly, though a wry smile tugged at her lips. "I just… handled a situation. A sudden situation"
Anthony's face hardened. "Would you believe me if I said I don't care for excuses?"
Chloe explained the scene: How she saw a strange man entering Eveline's chambers and how she waited for a while and saw the scene of Amber and Merlia dragging Eveline against her wish, stuffing a cloth in her mouth.. Anthony's eyes narrowed, every detail sharpening his suspicion.
"How did his head end up like that?" he asked finally.
"Handled," Chloe replied.
Anthony immediately ordered his guards to secure Francis and instructed one of them to inform Alaric of the incident. Chloe froze for a moment at the mention of Alaric's name, "why would you involve the third prince," she looked at him confusingly, as long as she can remember, he wasn't interested in women affairs, why would he be interested in Eveline.
Anthony's gaze didn't waver. He didn't speak another word; his orders left no room for debate.
Alaric won't hurt her, Chloe murmured under her breath, though a shiver ran down her spine. She wasn't sure… but she hoped he wouldn't.