The final document was signed with a flourish, and Lin leaned back in her chair with a sigh of relief. Her temples throbbed from hours of reading and decision-making, and her fingers ached from gripping the quill. Despite her exhaustion, there was a faint sense of satisfaction. For the first time, she felt like she might be steering this empire in a direction that wasn't entirely disastrous.
Arlen placed a fresh sheet of parchment on the desk, but Lin waved it away. "No more for today. I'm done."
He smirked, clearly amused. "Very well, Your Majesty. Tomorrow, however, there will be an important council meeting. I'll ensure we uncover whoever has been diverting the treasury funds. They'll regret crossing you, rest assured."
Lin gave a small nod, removing her glasses and setting them on the desk. She rose to her feet, and Arlen moved swiftly to open the door for her.
As she stepped out, she glanced back at the mountain of paperwork that remained. "That office," she muttered under her breath, "is my worst enemy."
Arlen chuckled lightly as he fell into step beside her. "Your Majesty, as your chamber is currently… indisposed, we've prepared a new room for you to use."
Lin raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. She followed him through the dimly lit halls until they stopped before a set of tall double doors. Servants darted in and out, carrying linens and supplies. The moment they spotted Lin, they froze in place, fear plastered across their faces.
She said nothing, merely entering the room without acknowledgment.
The new chamber was a striking combination of opulence and practicality. The walls were lined with deep red tapestries, embroidered with intricate golden patterns. A grand canopy bed dominated the space, draped in rich velvet. To one side, a sitting area with plush chairs and a low table sat near a roaring fireplace. On the far wall, a balcony overlooked the sprawling palace gardens.
Lin hid her surprise. Not bad, she thought.
Arlen turned to her, his expression carefully neutral. "Does it meet your standards, Your Majesty?"
Lin gave a brief nod, and a collective sigh of relief escaped the servants.
Arlen adjusted his gloves. "In that case, I'll take my leave. Shall I have dinner sent to you here?"
"Yes," Lin replied simply, her voice devoid of emotion.
With a bow, Arlen excused himself, leaving her alone with the trembling servants.
The weight of the day pressed down on her shoulders, and Lin decided it was time for a shower. She gestured vaguely toward the bathroom, and the servants sprang into action. They scurried to prepare the bath, their movements quick and precise.
When they finally left, Lin stepped into the adjoining bathroom.
The space was a sanctuary of luxury. Marble tiles gleamed under the soft glow of enchanted lanterns. The bathtub was a massive, claw-footed basin filled with steaming water, infused with lavender and citrus oils.
Lin peeled off her clothes and let out a sigh of relief as she sank into the water. She removed the pheromone-blocking patch from her neck, setting it aside.
For the first time that day, she felt truly at peace. At least there's one perk to this life, she thought wryly, letting the warm water soothe her muscles. But even in this moment of reprieve, a nagging thought lingered: What am I going to do about Sylphina?
Sylphina tugged at the edges of her new uniform, her hands trembling. The fabric was soft and well-fitted, but she hated everything it represented. Unlike the plain black dresses worn by the other servants, her attire was unique—a tailored coat and fitted pants in deep blue, with silver embroidery along the cuffs and collar. It marked her as Valeria's personal servant.
The other servants avoided meeting her eyes. They pitied her. She could feel it in their hushed whispers and sidelong glances.
"Take this to Her Majesty."
The voice of the head maid snapped Sylphina out of her thoughts. The older woman stood before her, a severe expression on her face.
Sylphina hesitated. "D-do I have to?"
The maid's eyes narrowed. "You're her personal servant now. You have no choice. And you'd best remember the rules."
Sylphina swallowed hard. "What rules?"
"Do not speak unless spoken to. Do not look her in the eyes unless she commands it. Do not drop or spill anything, or you'll regret it. Do you understand?"
Sylphina nodded weakly.
Moments later, she found herself standing outside Valeria's temporary chambers, a silver cart laden with dishes before her. The aroma of roasted meats and fresh bread wafted up, mingling with the scent of sweet pastries.
The head maid rapped on the door sharply, then stepped aside. "Go in," she ordered before leaving.
Sylphina pushed the cart forward, her hands shaking. The room was quiet, but the air felt heavy, charged. She set the cart near the table and glanced around nervously. Where is she?
Her question was answered moments later when the bathroom door opened, and Valeria stepped out.
Sylphina froze.
Valeria's hair was damp, cascading over her shoulders in dark waves. She wore a simple robe, the fabric clinging to her frame and emphasizing her tall, lean build. Her collarbones were sharp, her shoulders broad but elegant. The smooth muscles of her legs were visible beneath the robe's hem, which fell just above her knees.
What struck Sylphina most was the scent. A rich, heady aroma of mandarin and spice filled the air, curling around her senses and making her cheeks flush.
Valeria's gaze fell on her, sharp and piercing. For a moment, Sylphina felt like prey cornered by a predator.
The Alpha moved to a nearby drawer, retrieving a fresh pheromone patch. She pressed it against her neck, and the scent began to fade.
Sylphina exhaled shakily, her heart pounding. What have I gotten myself into?