~Katrina~
I felt sick to my stomach when I saw him sitting there, wearing his crown like nothing had happened.
At first, I thought it was a mistake, that I was imagining his face. But no, this was real. The man who had called himself Rowland, who I had met at the farm, was none other than King Karl.
I pinched myself as I walked toward him, hoping to wake up from this nightmare. But all I felt was the sharp sting of betrayal. He had lied to me.
I trusted him, just like I had trusted my father. Both had failed me. Both had made a fool of me.
I should've known better. Happiness, I reminded myself, was never meant to last.
After the introductions, the queen mother led me to a seat right in front of him. He smiled at me, and I felt my stomach twist in disgust.
How could he look so proud of himself, after deceiving me like that? He was shameless, a devil in disguise.
The ceremony began. I swore my loyalty to the kingdom, to the king, promising to be faithful and obedient.
As the words left my mouth, I felt a lump of regret settle in my chest. They placed a necklace around my neck, just like the one Queen Fortuna wore, just like the other concubines had. It felt like a chain, locking me into a life I didn't want.
Inside, I was screaming. I wanted to stand up, shout that this wasn't what I wanted, that I would never belong to King Karl. But I couldn't. He'd have my head displayed on the city gate, like the others I had seen on my way here.
The queen mother kissed my forehead and smiled. She seemed genuinely happy to have me. But Fortuna? She looked like she wanted to kill me. Her anger still simmered from our argument earlier. That was her problem, not mine.
Then, King Karl stood from his throne and walked toward me, his hand extended. "Dance with me," he said, his tone more of a command than a request.
I didn't even hesitate. "No. I'm not in the mood."
His hand remained out, and he leaned in, his voice low but firm. "You can't say no to me."
But I did. "I said, no." I wasn't about to dance with him, especially not here, where everyone could see.
I didn't even know how to dance properly, not the way royalty did. If I stood up, they'd all see how clumsy and unprepared I was, and I wasn't giving them the satisfaction.
Soft whispers filled the room. "No one's ever dared to say no to the king," I heard someone murmur.
I didn't care. I wasn't just refusing him—I was protecting myself. Lady Poria had failed to teach me anything about royal life, especially how to dance. Better to stay seated and avoid more humiliation.
"It's just a dance," Queen Fortuna's voice rang out, dripping with disdain.
Hearing her speak only fueled my anger. If I wasn't careful, I'd snap.
"And I said no. Are you deaf?" I blurted out, not fully realizing the weight of my words.
I knew I was pushing him, but I didn't expect what happened next. The king's face darkened, his eyes cold and furious.
In one swift move, he grabbed the tablecloth and yanked it off, sending plates, food, and drinks crashing to the floor. Candles toppled over, and in seconds, the flames started licking the cloth.
My heart raced, but I couldn't move. The fire spreading across the table wasn't what scared me—it was the man standing before me, his rage like something I had never seen.
He looked like a different person, his calm nature ripped away, revealing something dangerous beneath.
The queen mother rushed to my side, pulling me to my feet. Her eyes flickered between me and her son, and I could see the worry in her expression. Even she wasn't used to seeing him like this.
Without a word, the king turned and stormed out of the hall, leaving chaos in his wake. The fire was quickly extinguished, but the tension in the room only grew.
"Poor girl," I heard someone whisper. "She just got a taste of his anger. Imagine if she sees him in a full rage."
"She won't survive here," another voice chimed in. "Many come to this palace, but only a few live to tell their story."
A chill ran through me. Their words settled deep in my chest, making my heart pound. What did they mean? How many had come to this palace and never left?
I tried not to think about it, but deep down, I knew. This was only the beginning. Surviving here was going to be harder than I ever imagined.
The queen mother asked Marissa to take me to my room, but as I was leaving, Queen Fortuna blocked my path.
"I can't believe it," she said, crossing her arms. "What gave you the right to speak to the king like that?"
I stayed silent. She wasn't worth my energy right now.
"Didn't I warn you to be careful?" she added with a scowl. "You've woken a beast tonight. Let's see if you survive tomorrow."
Her words sent a chill through me, but I refused to show fear. She thrived on weakness.
"I will, Queen Fortuna. No need to worry about me," I curtsied and walked past her.
As soon as I was in my room, I collapsed onto the bed and let the tears flow. I cried for my mother, who left too soon.
For my father, who had no heart, sending me to this monster.
And I cried for the Rowland I thought I knew—who was never real, but still managed to break my heart.
I was still sobbing when Marissa entered. Her face was pale, her hands trembling. Something was wrong.
"I just heard an announcement," she said, wringing her hands.
"Go on," I wiped my eyes, trying to pull myself together. I noticed her red, swollen eyes too. She'd been crying as well.
"The king… he's coming here. I think he's coming for you," she whispered, her voice full of fear. "Please, princess, be polite. Don't cause any more trouble."
My heart stopped. The night wasn't over, and Queen Fortuna's words echoed in my mind.
The king had stormed out in a rage—was he coming to finish what he started? Or was there something else he wanted from me?