My head is pounding as I sit in my chambers, snacking on some grape-like fruits to soothe my stomach. Stacy is kind enough to massage my temples as she catches me up on all the palace gossip.
Apparently, Rose, my eldest sister, is engaged to a foreign prince from a neighboring kingdom. I make a mental note to send her a congratulatory message later. As for Artem, my second brother, there's nothing new to report, which doesn't surprise me. He always seems to stay out of the limelight.
The real drama seems to be centered around Linus, my older brother and the current heir to the throne. His faction is on edge due to Luan's growing influence and popularity. Luan, my younger brother, recently achieved a breakthrough in his swordsmanship, reaching 4 stars, which has caused quite a stir.
To add to the intrigue, Luan is engaged to Lady Starforge, a close friend of Stella's, his twin sister. However, there's also talk of Luan being quite friendly with a female knight, which has raised some eyebrows. I find it all quite interesting, though I can't help but feel a bit detached from the palace politics.
*
I stroll through the halls of my modest palace, feeling a mixture of frustration and resignation. Compared to the grandeur of the other massive palaces in the empire, mine is a sad example with only three floors. My room is situated on the second floor, along with an additional five rooms—three bedrooms, one bath, and one drawing room with a balcony. It's small and quaint, but it's home. Then again what would I do a very big palace.
As I pass by the guards stationed outside my room, I can't help but feel a sense of disappointment. They are a sorry excuse for guards, more like decorations than protectors. I shake my head and continue downstairs.
The ground floor consists of a small dining area, a cozy living room, a compact kitchen, and the servants' quarters. Today, I've called for all the servants to gather. They look fearful, still haunted by the memory of the last time I gathered them like this.
"Please, don't be afraid," I say calmly, trying to reassure them. However, their fear remains palpable. I have no intention of harming anyone today, but they don't know that.
"Anyway, you're all fired," I announce calmly, cutting straight to the point. Their expressions shift from fear to confusion and shock. Some of them look like they want to protest, but I raise my hand to silence them.
"Don't say anything. Just leave. I expect you all gone by noon tomorrow," I state firmly, my tone leaving no room for argument. With that, I turn and make my way back upstairs.
Upstairs, I find the guards still loitering around. It seems they didn't get the memo.
"What are you doing here instead of packing?" I ask, eyeing Mr. Big Forehead and Mr. Big Nose with a raised eyebrow.
"Didn't you just request for the servants to leave?" Big Nose retorts, his tone bordering on insolence.
"I'm clarifying right now. You too. Out," I declare, crossing my arms over my chest. It's time to clean house.
*
I gaze at my reflection in the vanity mirror, feeling a surge of satisfaction. My curls cascade elegantly around my shoulders, and my night attire, though simple, exudes a subtle grace. "Your highness," Stacy's voice interrupts my reverie, and I reluctantly tear my eyes away from my reflection.
I make my way downstairs, the soft fabric of my night attire swishing around my legs. As I descend, I spot Haroun struggling with an armful of luggage. A mischievous idea forms in my mind.
"Haroun!" I call out, pretending to trip on the stairs and tumbling forward. In a swift movement, he catches me just before I reach the bottom. "Are you okay?" His voice is filled with concern as he holds me in his arms, his chest pressing against mine.
"I'm fine, I just missed a step," I reply casually, taking advantage of the situation to press closer to him and not so subtly grop his chest just because I can.He seems flustered, quickly setting me back on my feet and rushing off to retrieve the rest of the bags. Oh, he's too cute when he's flustered.
With a mischievous grin, I decide to take advantage of my newfound immunity to palace regulations. Why not bring my boys here? Who's going to stop me? I dare them.
Valendor is the first to start decorating, placing large potted plants in strategic corners of the palace. His green thumb works wonders, instantly bringing life and freshness to the space.
Meanwhile, Nikolai weaves his magic, quite literally. With a flick of his wrist, furniture pieces float into place, curtains dance through the air, and bags seem to unpack themselves. It's a mesmerizing display of his mage talents.
Even Maverick is not left out, carrying bags with surprising ease. I chuckle to myself at the sight of him, not used to seeing our trusty steed doing work outside driving his lizard. Stacy after she's done gaping leads him to the servants quarters.
As the palace transforms around us, I can't help but feel a sense of contentment.
As I run my fingers through the array of dresses and fabrics in my new and improved closet, a familiar voice startles me from behind.
"Kai sends his regards and says he's waiting for his 'official invitation' to the palace," Nikolai's voice fills the room, his presence bringing warmth and affection.
I turn to face him, finding Nikolai standing there in his glasses, his violet eyes fixed on me with adoration. His gaze makes my heart flutter, and I can't help but feel undeserving of such affection.
"Last chance, you know," I say playfully, a smile tugging at my lips. "I wouldn't want to keep the genius of the magic tower with me against his will."
"You wouldn't keep me away, even if it was your order," Nikolai replies, his voice filled with certainty. He takes my right palm and brings it to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to the center.
I raise an eyebrow teasingly. "What happened to obeying all my orders, huh?"
"All orders except the one that requires me to leave you," he responds with a charming smile, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
I can't help but look up at him, feeling a surge of affection and desire. Nikolai towers over me now, his presence commanding yet comforting. He's undeniably attractive, and he knows it. But what's more, he uses that charm and magnetism against me, and I find myself completely under his spell.
I reach up to touch his cheek softly, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath my fingertips. "You're too much, Nikolai," I murmur, unable to tear my gaze away from his mesmerizing eyes.
He leans down, his lips hovering just inches from mine. "And you're irresistible," he whispers, before closing the distance between us, I stop him with my palm on covering his lips.
He looks at me resigned.
Such a flirt I think to myself, how sneaky.
*
In a small, dimly lit servants' quarters nestled away from Selene's grand palace, a group of maids chatted amongst themselves.
"I saw Mary head out," one maid whispered, her voice barely above a murmur.
"She just arrived and fired all her staff," another maid added, her eyes wide with gossip.
"Shhh, guys, I heard something," a third maid interrupted, drawing the attention of the others in the room.
The maids leaned in closer, eager to catch every word.
"I heard something from Peter, who works at the entrance," she continued, her tone hushed with secrecy.
The other maids leaned in, their curiosity piqued.
"He said that the reason why those three attractive men left the Gilcha lizard exclusive to the princess," she paused for dramatic effect, "was because of the princess herself."
Her words hung in the air, causing a room full of gasps and surprised murmurs.
"Why do you think she wanted the privacy of the palace to herself?" the maid whispered, her eyes wide with excitement.
The revelation of this juicy gossip spread like wildfire, fueling a frenzy of ridiculous rumors that circulated throughout the palace the following morning.
Whispers of secret rendezvous, clandestine affairs, and forbidden love filled the halls, all stemming from the innocent departure of the three attractive men from the princess's private quarters. The maids couldn't help but speculate, their imaginations running wild with the possibilities.
Meanwhile, Selene remained unaware of the swirling rumors surrounding her, too preoccupied with her own thoughts and the newfound joy she had found in Nikolai's arms. Little did she know, her innocent actions had sparked a storm of gossip that would soon reach even the highest echelons of the palace.