Princess Yasmin - POV
The council chamber was quieter now. The storm of questions had passed, and Althena had been escorted back to the healer's wing-still limping, still wrapped in bandages. Yet even wounded, there was something too calm in her eyes. Too controlled.
And that bothered me.
Once the doors closed behind her, the room seemed to exhale, as though the air itself had been holding its breath.
"She's faced so much... from childhood till now," my mother said softly, fingers clasped in her lap, sympathy clouding her usually clear gaze. "A life like that... I can't imagine."
Kaelen leaned forward, his tone solemn. "She's broken. The way she spoke-like someone barely holding herself together."
"She doesn't have anywhere to go," my mother continued. "Perhaps we could give her a chance. A new life. One with peace."
"A noble idea," Father murmured. "But how do we do that without risking the safety of the palace?"
My brother answered, eyes flicking toward the door Althena had exited. "Let's give her a job. Something small. Pay her enough for food and clothing. Let her feel safe... for the first time."
"Excellent," Mother said with warmth.
I, however, remained still.
Crossing my arms, I let my voice cut sharply through the air. "Do you all so easily believe her? That story of hers-it could just as well be a performance. You don't know if it was truth... or lies meant to win pity."
Their eyes snapped toward me. Father's brow furrowed.
"...We believed too easily," he admitted at last, his voice low. "I wanted to think the best of her... but perhaps you are right."
Mother's gaze wavered, conflicted. "That means one of two things: she is telling the truth... or she is a clever manipulator."
The captain of the guard, who had been silent until now, stepped forward. "What will we do, then, if she is the latter?"
The chamber grew quiet. Even the flickering torches along the walls seemed to hesitate.
Everyone seemed to turn the question over in their minds. Then Kaelen's smirk returned. "We still follow my idea."
We all stared at him.
He spread his hands, relaxed, as if the solution were the most obvious thing in the world. "If she's innocent, our plan helps her. If she's not innocent... it still helps us."
I tilted my head. "Explain."
Kaelen leaned forward, elbows on the table, his voice even. "If she is who she says she is, then we've given her shelter, food, and purpose. She'll rebuild her life under our watch. But if she's not... then she's in our walls-where she can be observed. Watched. Contained."
It made sense. Too much sense.
I set my jaw. "Yes. If she isn't as innocent as we think, she won't be free to vanish into the wilds. We'll keep her close. Under our control. And under my eyes."
Mother and Father exchanged glances, then both nodded slowly.
"Excellent," Father said. "That way, no matter what, the kingdom is safe."
"But what work do we give her?" my mother asked, ever practical. "Surely not in the kitchens. Not the stables either. She is not trained for diplomacy, nor the archives..."
The silence stretched. The council members still lingered nearby, whispering among themselves.
Then Kaelen, in that maddeningly casual tone, spoke again.
"My sister's personal handmaiden."
The words hit me like a slap. I choked mid-breath, coughing violently. "Excuse me?"
Kaelen only grinned, leaning back in his chair like a smug fox.
"You brought her here, Yasmin," he said, utterly unbothered by my glare. "So you should take responsibility for her."
"What?" My voice was sharper than steel, disbelief dripping from every syllable.
"Calm down, sister," Kaelen said smoothly, his grin widening. "You're the sharpest one among us when it comes to spotting deception. The rest of us believed her without hesitation, but you-you doubted. You looked deeper. If anyone can see through her masks, it's you."
Mother nodded with a faint smile. "Your brother is correct. You saw what we could not. That alone proves you should be the one closest to her."
Father's steady eyes landed on me. No humor. No debate. Just expectation. "Well, daughter?"
I glared at Kaelen, who looked far too pleased with himself, and let out a slow sigh. "...Fine."
A faint smirk tugged at my brother's lips.
"Well, then," Father declared, his voice final, "it's decided."
The air shifted-the decision sealed.
And just like that... the stranger was mine to watch.
Mine to control.
Mine to uncover.
---
Althena - POV
Days passed, and so did my "healing."
Actually, my body had healed some days before. The wounds had closed, the bruises faded. But I still winced at the right moments, still leaned on the walking stick the healer had given me. I let my voice sound weak when they checked on me.
And the sympathy poured in.
Even the cold healer who once called me "idiot girl" now softened her tone when she brought my medicines. Perfect.
But this didn't run for much longer.
A soldier entered my room one morning, bowing stiffly. "You have been summoned to the Royal Chamber Room."
I tilted my head, hiding my smirk. "Oh? Right now?"
"Yes. Her Highness's orders."
I set the walking stick aside and rose, still moving slow enough to look fragile. "Very well."
As I followed the soldier through the corridors, my mind churned. Why now? Do they suspect me? No... maybe they believe me. But palace security always comes first.
When we reached the Royal Chamber, the doors opened wide.
The King. The Queen. The Prince. The Princess. And several guards posted at the edges of the room.
I lowered my eyes and bowed. "Your Majesties."
The King's deep voice rumbled first. "Althena. How are your injuries now? Healed?"
I clasped my hands together demurely. "Thanks for asking, Highness. My injuries have healed. It pains sometimes... but I'm okay now."
The Prince leaned forward, elbows on the table. "And what are your plans next?"
I hesitated deliberately, letting the silence stretch. "I... I was planning to leave, Majesties. If I have your approval."
The Queen's brows knit slightly. "And where would you go?"
I lowered my head, letting my shoulders slump just a little. "I... I would go to..."
A pause. My fingers twisted in the hem of my sleeve. Then I looked up and gave a small, shy smile. "...I will plan on the way."
A ripple of soft murmurs passed among the guards.
Then, ever the silent Princess finally spoke-her voice calm, but cutting through the room like a blade. "And how about if we offered you a job, food, and shelter here in the palace? Would you still leave?"
My eyes widened, and my heart jumped. Yes, I thought to myself. Yes, that's exactly what I want.
"You... I can stay?" I asked aloud, my voice pitched perfectly between disbelief and hope.
"Yes," the King said gravely. "If you are willing, we would love to help."
I straightened slightly, letting excitement bubble just enough to look genuine. "Definitely!" I said, a little too quickly. "I- I would do anything. I don't know anything other than surviving, but I would learn."
The Queen smiled softly. "You have good spirit."
I smiled back, tilting my head. "Thank you, Your Majesty. Though... I warn you, I'm not very good at polishing silver. Or carrying trays. Or bowing gracefully."
A ripple of laughter rolled through the room-guards chuckling, the Queen hiding a smile behind her hand.
The Prince grinned. "We had found something that suits you."
I leaned forward, eyes wide and innocent. "So... what will be my job?"
"Court jester?" one of the older nobles muttered under his breath.
"Bodyguard?" another said with a smirk.
"Royal squirrel trainer?" the Prince added, chuckling.
Laughter echoed around me. Everyone except the Princess.
Then her voice cut through the noise like frost across glass. "You'll be my personal handmaiden."
The room went still.
My heart skipped a beat.
I kept my face calm. But inside?
Hell. Yes.
I gave her a playful look. "Ice Rose's handmaiden? I hope you don't freeze me with your stare, Princess..."
That earned a proper laugh around the room.
Prince Kaelen leaned toward me with a grin. "Althena, you'll do just fine. Just don't mind her stare-it's worse than an arrow but less deadly."
"I can hear you," Yasmin said flatly.
Kaelen spread his hands in mock surrender. "Just preparing her for life under your shadow, sister."
I leaned closer, whispering just loud enough to be heard. "So... if I turn into a snow sculpture, will I get a statue next to the palace lions?"
Another wave of laughter. Even the Queen's lips twitched.
"If you think being my handmaiden gives you the right to speak out of turn..." she said softly, "think again."
I tilted my head, still wearing my little smile. "Of course, Your Highness. I'll behave."
Yasmin's eyes narrowed at me. "You're already talking too much."
"Then I'll be your quietest handmaiden," I smirked. "Silently judging everything."
"And you'll be watching and doing everything," she said flatly. "No complaints."
I bowed my head. "I will do, Princess."
"And I'm truly honored, Princess. Truly. I'll do my best not to faint under the frost."
Her eyes flickered for a second-something unreadable behind the ice. Then she rose, her voice low. "You'd better."
Her gaze stayed on me a beat longer, a challenge in her eyes.
And for just that heartbeat, something flickered there-
not quite ice,
not quite fire.
I smiled sweetly back, still playing the lamb.
Inside, though... the wolf stretched and grinned.