I was called upon again sooner than I had expected.
It had only been a day since that humiliating scene in his study, and yet, here I was, summoned once more. A part of me wanted to refuse, to dig in my heels and let him know I wasn't some puppet he could yank around on a whim. But refusing wasn't an option. Not in this world. Not with him.
I took a deep breath, calming my racing heart as the new maid who had come for me waited by the door. She said nothing, her eyes fixed on me with an expression that could give Sabastine a run for his money in the stoic department. Her silence was deafening, and I couldn't help but feel like I was being escorted to my doom.
I sighed heavily, sending up a silent prayer for Elara's speedy recovery. Without her warm smile and reassuring presence, the castle felt cold and unforgiving.
