Victoria Ashwood woke up after a long time, only to find reality as nightmarish as her dreams. She huddled in a corner of her chamber, swinging between relief at being alive and fear that The Princess Royal was merely keeping her alive for further torment. Thinking of that woman made her blood run cold.
Pushing open the door, Lady Anyi entered and swept her gaze around the room. Seeing Victoria disheveled and cowering in a corner, she might usually have been contemptuous; today, however, she felt a twinge of respect. Victoria still dared to defy someone like that?
But the palace banquet was imminent, and Victoria couldn't possibly show up like this. Squatting in front of her, Lady Anyi softened her tone. "The palace banquet is about to start. Get yourself ready."
Victoria let out a shriek at those words, clutching her head and shrinking back. "No! I won't go! She'll kill me!"
