Katherine's life had become a never-ending cycle of serving others. Even her own sisters, now joined in the laughter and teasing that hurt her deeply.
She deliberately avoided Prince Dominic. Whenever they crossed paths, she quickly looked away and hastened her steps, eager to escape his presence.Whenever Katherine saw Prince Dominic, she would bow her head in respect.
Dominic noticed. He saw the distance she created, the silence that shrouded her like a mantle.
The dining table, once a hub of laughter and warmth, had become a stage for her isolation. King Ryder's topics, designed to spark lively debates, met with Katherine's indifference, her gaze drifting to the ceiling as if searching for escape.
Ethan and Ruby, Dominic's siblings, exchanged concerned glances, their faces etched with worry.
One night, beneath a canvas of starry sky, Katherine stood at the palace rail, lost in thought. The night breeze whispered secrets in her ear, and her hand rested on the cold stone, her gaze reaching for the stars like a prayer.
Longing For home and her old life. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, threatening to spill like autumn rain.
Dominic's voice broke the spell, his footsteps echoing through the stillness. "Why are you still up by this hour?" he asked, his tone soft, concern lacing his words. "Don't you know it's too chilly out here?"
Katherine's shoulders tensed, her eyes still on the stars. She nodded slightly at Dominic, then turned to go.
He watched her, confused. What was troubling her? The gap between them grew wider, seeming impossible to close. But he sensed a hidden weakness beneath Katherine's tough exterior.
Determined, he decided to find out what was hurting her. He wanted to understand Katherine's true self And maybe, just maybe, help heal her worries.
★★★★
Katherine stepped out of the shower, her hair dripping wet, her senses refreshed. The cool water had washed away the weight of her worries, if only temporarily.
As she reached for a towel, her gaze fell upon a slithering shape on her bed.
A life snake Coiled and Watching. Her scream tore through the air, shattering the tranquility, Panic set in.
She tried to flee, But her foot twisted. Her ankle sprang, Agony shot through her leg.
She crumpled Helpless. The snake inched closer. Its forked tongue darting.
Her screams grew louder. "Ahhhhh!".
Suddenly, the door burst open. Dominic, Ethan, Ruby, and the guards rushed in.
Their faces etched with concern and Shock.
"Katherine!" Dominic exclaimed. He rushed to her side and Scooped her up.
She clung to him. Fear mingled with pain.Tears streamed down her face.
The guards sprang into action.One swiftly killed the snake. The others secured the room. The tension eased, But the fear lingered.
In the living room, the group gathered. Ethan's focused expression never wavered as he treated Katherine's ankle, wrapping it with a medicated bandage. Diana and Stella sat beside her, holding her hands firmly, concern etched on their faces.
The other ladies stood watching, confusion written across their features. King Ryder and Queen Charlotte exchanged worried glances.
"How did the snake get in there in the first place?" Ruby wondered, her brow furrowed.
"Are you okay, dear?" King Ryder asked, his voice laced with concern. Katherine nodded, a faint smile on her lips.
"Will she be okay?" Dominic asked, his eyes locked on Ethan, worry creasing his forehead.
"Yes, she'll be fine in a couple of days," Ethan replied, securing the bandage. "Just don't stress the leg."
Diana's eyes filled with concern as she asked, "Katherine, are you okay?" Katherine nodded again, smiling weakly at her friends.
Alex spoke up, "This palace is well-secured and maintained. I don't think any dangerous animal can crawl in."
Lucas nodded in agreement. "Yeah."
But Riley's words dropped like a bombshell: "What you're trying to say is that someone might have put the snake in her room to scare her?"
The room fell silent. Everyone's eyes widened in shock.
"Who could have done that?" Stella asked, her voice trembling.
Queen Charlotte intervened, "Let's not jump to conclusions yet. Maybe there's a way the snake got in."
A lady-in-waiting suggested, "I agree with her majesty, Her window is close to the fence... maybe the snake entered through the fence and crawled into her room. We know there are only bushes outside the fence."
The room nodded in agreement, but Stella's skeptical expression remained.
"I don't buy that," she said, crossing her arms.
King Ryder soothed, "It's okay, we're happy nothing happened. No need to worry."
The room fell silent once more.
Katherine stood, determined. "I'll go rest now."
Dominic stepped forward to assist, but Katherine refused. "No, I'm fine. Diana, Stella, please help me."
Diana and Stella exchanged concerned glances before supporting Katherine, escorting her to her room.
As they left, Dominic's worried gaze lingered on Katherine's retreating figure.
In Katherine's room, Diana and Stella helped her onto her bed, their faces etched with concern.
"Are you okay?" Diana asked, her brow furrowed.
Katherine smirked, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "Alright, enough of the caring face. No one's here, so you both should stop pretending like you actually care."
Diana and Stella's expressions twisted, their cold attitude replacing their earlier concern.
"Fine, you got us," Stella said, a wry smile spreading across her face.
Katherine rolled her head, trying to stifle a laugh.
"But seriously, why are you so careless?" Diana asked, her voice tinged with exasperation. "Don't you know the selection is a do-or-die affair? Everyone's fighting for the top. You should always be careful when leaving your doors and windows open."
"Yeah, I get it...But, how am I supposed to know you two aren't involved?". Her gaze narrowed.
Diana and Stella scoffed, their faces incredulous.
"The fact that we don't like you doesn't give us the nerve to try to hurt you that way," Stella said, her tone laced with indignation.
Katherine's lips curled into a sly smile. "So, you two still care."
Diana and Stella scoffed again, their expressions dismissive.
"Don't get it twisted," Diana said. "If you get hurt, Mom and Dad will have our necks for it and blame us. So, I'll urge you to be vigilant next time... not everyone here likes you."
Katherine nodded, her expression solemn.
Just then, a knock on the door broke the tension.
Riley entered, holding a plate of fruit salad, a warm smile on her face. "Hey, I made this for you."
Katherine's eyes lit up with gratitude as she took the plate. "Thank you so much, Princess Riley. Your kind gesture is truly appreciated."
Riley's smile deepened. "You're welcome. Take care of yourself and don't do anything that will stress you."
"I won't," Katherine promised, smiling.
Riley left, and Diana teased, "You seem popular in this palace. Even the princess cares about you this much."
Katherine scoffed, popping a fruit into her mouth. "Not everyone's like you."
Diana and Stella rolled their eyes nonchalantly, their expressions a mix of amusement and annoyance.
Later that night, Katherine's peaceful slumber shattered.
Her eyes contorted in terror, her face twisted in a silent scream. She was trapped in a nightmare.
The strange man from her recurring dreams loomed, his face obscured. This time, he was dragging her through the darkness of the bush.
Armed men chased them, their menacing forms gaining ground. Katherine's breath quickened, her chest heaving.
Suddenly, she jolted awake, her body drenched in sweat. Her eyes darted wildly, adjusting to the dimly lit room.
Fear still gripped her, making the shadows seem sinister. With a groan, Katherine threw off her covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed.
Pain shot through her ankle, a sharp reminder of the day's events. She winced, her teeth clenched. Grabbing her pillow, and she hobbled out of her room.
The empty hallway stretched before her, eerily silent. She made her way to the visitor room, the soft glow of the moon casting an eerie light.
Collapsing onto the couch, Katherine buried her face in the pillow. Her ragged breathing slowly steadied.
But the nightmare's darkness lingered. Katherine's eyes remained wide, her expression haunted.
As she lay there, the silence of the palace seemed oppressive. The shadows seemed to writhe and twist.
She grip on the pillow tightened. She knew she wouldn't sleep again tonight.