THE ROYAL QUARTERS
Griselda's POV
The air in the Queen Hatia's chamber is thick with the scent of polished wood and vairous scented oils. I trail behind her as she glides through the hallways.
Her hair, finally tamed after what felt like an eternity of combing is now dark and shimmering, cascading down her back. She walks with an air of absolute authority, head and chin held high, ignoring the bowing servants as if they are part of the permanent decorof the castle.
Her voice rings in a low command, assigning me an endless list of errands for after breakfast. I commit each one to memory, making a mental list of them all.
We enter the dining hall, and the first thing I notice is the silence, a heavy, suffocating silence that feels too far for a family meal. The rest of the royal family is already seated, all except for one. Maverick.
A wave of relief washes over me. I don't think I can face him again after last night. I have this sudden, unsettling fear for him now. I carefully lift my gaze, scanning the room, and my eyes lock with Aidan's. He's already watching me, his stare intense and unwavering as always. I quickly look away, scuttling to my designated spot behind the Queen's chair.
It still feels strange to stand here, like an observer in a cage, while they eat. I push the thought away, adjust her chair, and place a crisp napkin on her lap, just as Aine instructed.
Aidanwatches her, his gaze fixed on her deep grey haunted eyes. She's aware of his stare, but she carefully avoids it, her focus entirely on serving Hatia. With a practiced grace, she cuts the fruit into perfect cubes, placing some on a separate plate. He watches in amusement as she manages to make her hands steady and precise. Once she's finished, she wipes them and retreats to her post behind the Queen.
He still keeps his eyes on her as he bites into an apple, a smirk playing on his lips. Her unease is palpable, as he finds a strange sort of amusement in it.
The double doors of the dining hall swing open. Maverick strides in, a faint bruise at the corner of his mouth. Aidan smirks at the state of his face.
Hatia springs from her seat, her eyes wide with alarm. "Goodness, Maverick! Who did this to you?" she cries, as her hands flies to his face.
Maverick gently removes her hands and sits down. Hatia hovers for a moment, then reluctantly returns to her chair.
Aidan leans back, his smirk widening. He takes another bite of the apple, his eyes darting between Queen Hatia andMaverick, an audience to their unending drama.
"Father," Maverick begins, his voice tight, "we had an intruder here last night."
King Edward clears his throat, a sound of disapproval. "Maverick, if this 'intruder' managed to bruise you and cause who knows what other injuries, I don't care to hear about it." He gestures to a servant, who immediately hurries to refill his glass.
Aidan lets out a laugh, the sound echoing in the silent room as he picks up a glass, swirls its content, and down it in one go. He licks his lips, the taste of the red liquid still on his tongue, and looks back at Griselda. Their eyes meet, and for a fleeting moment, she returns his intense gaze. A genuine smile touches his lips, as he's captivated by her.
Maverick mutters something under his breath and signals a servant to serve him.
Hatia's voice cuts through the tension, a shrill of indignation. "I'm disgusted by your indifference, Edward! Maverick is your first legitimate son for crying out loud! Your attitude towards..."
"I didn't raise my sons to be cowards or weaklings," the King retorts, his voice laced with a subtle sarcasm. "Maybe if he spent as much time on combat training as he dedicates to his mistresses, he'd be a better legitimate son."
Aidan smiles, placing the remnants of the apple on the plate. He picks up his refilled glass and watches Hatia's face flush with fury.
"You'll regret all of this soon!" she screeches, pushing her chair back with a loud scrape. She storms out of the room.
Zelda gives a quick bow and scurries after her.
Aidan looks at Maverick. His knuckles are white with his grip on the cutlery so tight that he might snap it. He suddenly slams them down on the table and stalks out of the room.
Zelda's POV
I stand a safe distance away as the Queen paces, her breath coming in short, angry gasps. With a furious scream, she hurls a crystal glass against the wall. It shatters as a spray of diamond-like shards scatters across the floor.
"What are you standing there for?" she snaps, pointing at the mess. "Get down and clean it!"
I flinch, the sharp tone a direct hit. I'm always at the receiving end of her anger these past few hours. I hurry to the floor and begin picking up the broken pieces.
The door opens, and in walks the one person I've been dreading. Maverick. I avert my gaze, pretending to be completely focused on the task, my heart pounding against my ribs.
"Leave!" the Queen orders.
I scramble to my feet, relief flooding me. I reach for the doorknob, but a dreaded voice stops me dead in my tracks.
"Wait!"
My hand freezes. My fingers slide from the knob as the Queen gives Maverick a questioning look.
He lets out a low chuckle and walks toward me. Without a word, he grabs a handful of my hair, yanking my head back, and shoves me to the floor in front of the Queen.
A searing pain shoots through my thigh as a sharp piece of glass pierces my skin. I let out a soft whimper, trying hard not to cry in order not to incur more wrath.
"Mother, she's why I'm bruised," he says, his voice dripping with anger. It appears his ego is hurt. He tugs my hair again, and I bite my lip to keep from crying out. "I wanted her, but Aidan came in and played the knight in shining armor."
"Maverick, how could you?" the Queen says, her voice laced with disgust. "She's a pauper! A servant! If you wanted a mistress, you should've found a girl from a noble family. I'm certain many would scramble for that position. But this? How utterly disappointing."
"That's not the issue, Mother," he insists, ignoring her words. "My request is that you hand her over to me. I've already arranged for a more suitable personal maid for you. I want to take custody of her."
I hold my breath, waiting for her reply, my future hanging on her next words.
"I will give you her custody," the Queen says, a cold finality in her voice. "But let it not be known to anyone. Clear?"
Maverick nods, a cruel smile spreading across his face. He yanks me to my feetas my heart drops. My vision blurs with tears at the thought of being his mistress. A wave of dizziness washes over me at the thought of that. He holds my arm in afirm grip, dragging me from the room.
I stumble as he pulls me down through the hallway. Tears silently stream down my face, the crushing realization that there will be no one to rescue me this time, not Aine, and not Aidan.
He opens the door to his room, pulls me inside, and slams it shut. I shudder in fear as I hear the firm click of the key turning in the lock. He smirks at me, then walks to a drawer. After rummaging through it, he pulls out a linked metal ring. A manacle.
I know exactly what it is. A wave of terror washes over me at the realization of his intending actions.
I scramble for the door, but he intercepts me, grabbing me and pulling me back. I struggle against him, my pleas muffled by his grunts as he pulls me back with all his might.
Then a low, calm voice cuts through the struggle, startling him so much that his grip loosens.
"I wonder," the voice says, "I truly wonder how many times I'll have to tell you she isn't meant for you."
Aidan emerges from a hidden corner beside the wardrobe, his hands tucked casually in his pockets. He saunters over to Maverick, his eyes narrowed into cold, dangerous slits.
Maverick chuckles, stepping closer to his brother. "And I wonder how many times I'll have to tell you that I'll choose to disobey you, hmmm?"
Aidan tuts, his face inching closer to Maverick's until they are only inches apart.
"Besides, Mother approved me having her as a mistress. Don't worry, I'll be done with her in a week, just don't..."
Before he can finish the sentence, Aidan delivers a sudden, sharp blow to his jaw, sending him stumbling back.
Maverick regains his balance and grabs a small statue, hurling it at Aidan. Aidan dodges it with an almost lazy grace. He slams Maverick against the wall and begins to pummel him, with fury in his movements.
Suddenly, the door is unlocked and flung open. The King, the Queen, and a guard rush in. Aidan doesn't even flinch. He picks up a glass vase from a nearby table and smashes it against Maverick's head. Blood trickles down his face, staining his clothes and the floor. Maverick slides down the wall, slumping to the floor, his eyes fixed on me.
"Maverick!" the Queen screams, rushing to him and shouting for the guard to fetch a doctor.
I just stand there, shocked and terrified in the middle of the brutal display. My thigh throbs where the glass has cut me. I'm numb, while watching the scene unfold, and I wonder what new hell awaits me tomorrow.