Whispers in the Palace

In the grand halls of great King Ragnar's palace, the sounds of clashing swords filled the air as King Ragnar himself sparred with his son, Astaroth. 

Their swords clashed extremely, the young prince's face etched with boldness, seeking to impress his father. A Lot of Sweat glistened on their brows, and the intensity of their training re-echo throughout the majestic halls. 

King Ragnar's voice rumbles, guiding Astaroth through each move, shaping him into a redoubtable warrior destined for the throne.

Astaroth's sword slipped from his grasp mid-fight, and in frustration, he attempted to transform into a werewolf. However, King Ragnar laughed heartily, halting Astaroth's transformation with a stern command.

"Learning to fight without changing is bottom-li tone, son," 

King Ragnar remarked firmly. 

"You must learn to lead as a human if you're to rule one day."

"Okay, Father," 

Astaroth replied, his determination mingled with a hint of reluctance.

"Anyone for wine?" 

King Ragnar called out, attempting to lighten the mood.

Astaroth picked up his sword with a smile, ready to dismiss the moment. But as the doors swung open, a stunning woman in her late 30s entered, carrying a cup of wine.

The woman walked toward the king, offering him the cup of wine. The king took it with a smile, his eyes fixed on her until she departed. Turning to Astaroth, he spoke.

"You've really tried today, but there's still Areas for continued development . Learn to control your emotions. Take some rest," he advised.

"Okay, Father," 

Astaroth responded.

"Anyone here?" 

Rebecca, the maid, walked in again, greeted by the king's smile. 

Astaroth, noticing the connection between his father and the maid, felt a surge of anger. He left the room, seething inside but concealed his feelings from his father.

After Astaroth stormed out, the king approached Rebecca, reaching out to touch her, and they exchanged smiles.

"Why did you call for me?" 

Rebecca asked.

The king chuckled in response, 

"You didn't think I asked the prince to leave because of you?"

Rebecca pressed on, 

"Wait, you didn't tell me that."

The king laughed, replying, 

"You know I've missed you. Seeing your face is a distraction to me."

Their conversation was interrupted as the king leaned in to kiss her.

Their embrace deepened, and the king and Rebecca were enveloped in a passionate moment, lost in their affection for each other. 

Their kisses lingered, filled with longing and desire, as they indulged in a forbidden romance within the walls of the palace.

As their passionate interlude continued for hours, Rebecca abruptly halted the amorous moment.

"I have to leave now," 

Rebecca announced. 

"My daughter will be waiting, it's getting late."

The words tugged at King Ragnar's heartstrings, a tinge of sadness coloring his expression. 

"You always use your daughter as an excuse to leave,"

he remarked, a hint of disappointment evident in his voice.

 "You can go, but be careful."

He kissed her tenderly as she hastily gathered her clothes to cover her body, rushing toward the door to make her exit, conscious of the late hour and the waiting responsibilities for her at home.

Rebecca hurried away from the king and made her way towards the maids' quarters. However, her heart sank when she entered the room and found her daughter still awake, waiting for her.

Her daughter looked up, surprised to see her mother still out so late. 

"Mother, you're back," 

she exclaimed, a mix of relief and concern in her voice.

Rebecca felt a pang of guilt, realizing she had kept her daughter waiting. 

"Yes, darling, I'm here," 

she replied, trying to mask her worry.

**Isabella POV**

My worry grew as I noticed my mother's increasing tardiness in returning home lately. Lost in my thoughts, the door creaked open, and there she stood, surprised to find me still awake at this hour.

"Mother, you're back," 

I exclaimed, my concern evident.

"Yes, darling, I'm here,"

 she responded, a mix of surprise and concern in her voice.

As she searched for food, I assured her I had already eaten, to which she smiled and acknowledged.

"Mother, why have you been arriving home so late lately? Is your work that demanding?"

 I inquired, hoping for an explanation.

Silence followed my question, prompting me to gather my courage. 

"Okay, I want to tell you something,"

I ventured.

"What, sweetheart?" 

she asked, her attention now fully on me, awaiting my revelation.

"I've been chosen among the servants to serve Princess Astaroth. I'm so happy,"

 I expressed my excitement.

"Yes, and I'll be able to assist you. You won't have to be late returning home," 

I assured her, trying to ease her worry.

"Sweetheart, you don't have to serve anybody," 

she replied, concern etched on her face.

"But you've always wanted me to serve in the palace," 

I countered, a bit confused by her sudden change in tone.

"Things have changed," 

she stated with a somber tone that left me puzzled.

"Changed? I don't understand," I replied, trying to grasp her sudden shift in demeanor. 

"Are you thinking of leaving?"

"Don't worry, sweetheart. You'll understand soon,"

 she assured me, her words leaving a sense of uncertainty lingering in the air. Her cryptic response left me with more questions than answers, wondering about the secrets she held.

"We need to sleep, my dear," 

she said, offering a reassuring smile.

We settled down to rest, but despite her attempt to comfort me, worry gnawed at my thoughts, making it difficult to find peace in slumber. The uncertainty of the changes my mother hinted at lingered in my mind, casting a shadow over the tranquility of the night.

Thoughts of my mother's cryptic words and the impending changes she alluded to lingered in my mind.

Tossing and turning, I found it hard to forget the worries that whirl within me.After some time, the weight of my thoughts carried me into a fitful slumber, still tussling with unanswered questions and disquiet about the future that awaited us.

**Astaroth POV**

Suspicions had been brewing within me regarding Rebecca, the maid. My father's constant happiness in her presence didn't sit right with me, especially since she was consistently the last maid to leave my father's chambers.

Lost in contemplation about what might be happening, I spotted Rebecca emerging from the training hall where I had been sparring with my father. Just as I was about to confront her, I witnessed my father exiting the hall right after she left.

The sight stirred a whirlwind of thoughts and doubts in my mind, intensifying my suspicions about the connection between my father and the maid.

I marched towards my father's chambers, determined to confront him about his inexplicable closeness with the maid. 

But upon arrival, the room was eerily empty, devoid of any presence. Peering through the window, I caught sight of my father riding away, leaving the palace behind.

Turning to leave, my attention was snagged by a large journal placed prominently on his desk. Intrigued and driven by a growing sense of unease, I approached it cautiously. As I checked through the pages of the journal, what I saw left me shocked.

As I pored over the journal's startling contents, the sound of approaching footsteps knocked me out of my focus. Briskly, I exited the room, my mind swaying with the weight of what I had uncovered. 

Rushing to my own chambers, a bolt of unease and urgency coursed through me, compelling me to withdraw to the safety and privacy of my room, away from prying eyes and potential confrontation.