Chapter 132
Chapter 132
CRYSTAL
Morning arrived at a cruel slow pace. I lay awake the entire night, staring through the narrow window of my new chamber, watching patrol guards pace the courtyard below. The room Winter had given mewas nothing like what I had expected.
It was small, yes, but it was furnished with a proper mattress, a cupboard, and thick stone walls that held warmth instead of damp. Compared to the cold, leaking cell Freya had shoved me into, this place felt almost merciful. Safe.
At dawn, sharp knuckles struck my door.
“Open up, Velda. This is Eira, the Queen’s personal maid.”
My stomach dropped.
What business did she have with me?
I pulled my veil into place before crossing the room and opening the heavy door.
I met her stare with displeasure, making no effort to hide my irritation.
“Looks like I disturbed your rest,” Winter's maid said coolly.
“Yes,” I replied flatly. “I woke up because of your voice. What do you need that you can’t wait?”
“You should be grateful I'm here right now." Her brow arched. "I woke you up so you won’t receive another slap or minor torture from the others in this castle. It’s dawn. You’re expected to be present and prepared before the Queen wakes.”
She shoved a folded bundle of fabric into my arms. “Your clothes. Her Majesty asked me to deliver them. Seeing what you were wearing last night must have unsettled her.”
Her gaze swept over me from head to toe.
I accepted the bundle without a word.
As much as I hated to admit it, the fabric felt softer than anything Freya had ever allowed me to wear.
“Be quick,” Eira added. “Queen Winter’s schedule is full today. You’ll be ready when she is.”
She turned and left before I could ask a single question.
I shut the door and exhaled shakily, then retreated to the washroom.
The clothes fit better than I expected, clean and warm. By the time I finished dressing, pale morning light had spilled across the stone floor.
After a long breath, I stepped out.
\-----
Eira instructed me to wait outside Winter’s chambers while she assisted the Queen with her preparations. The room lay at the heart of the castle, surrounded by corridors of marble and gold. Even standing outside, it felt overwhelming; luxury was pressed into every detail here, whispering the power of whoever owned this building.
When Winter finally emerged, we descended to the dining hall together. She then took her place at the head of the table, Eira standing at her side.
I remained a few steps behind them, standing.
When Winter suddenly spoke.
“Sit.”
I stiffened. “Pardon me, my Queen?”
“Yes, I’m speaking to you, Velda.” Her voice was calm, but unmistakably firm. “Sit down. Join us for breakfast.”
My heart dropped straight into my stomach.
“N-no, I’m not hungry.”
She studied me for a moment, then tilted her head. “And if this were an order?” Her eyes sharpened. “Would you refuse that as well?”
I said nothing.
“What makes it so difficult for you to sit at the same table and eat with us?” she continued mildly. “And don’t insult me by pretending you’re full. No food has been brought to you since last night.”
Shit.
The glint in Winter's eyes sent a chill down my spine.
Had my disguise failed already?
If she knew it was me, Crystal, why hadn’t she ordered my arrest? Why let this charade continue?
Perhaps this was her way of reminding me of my place. Of dragging me back into servitude without exposing me outright.
“You heard the Queen,” Eira said. “Refusing is highly inappropriate.”
I moved at last, my steps slow and reluctant.
“Sit,” Winter repeated, gesturing to the empty chair directly across from her.
I pulled the chair back and lowered myself onto it.
We sat face to face.
There was nowhere to hide now.
Winter signaled the kitchen maids, and plates were set before me—ham, dried fruit, and steaming porridge. The sight alone made my stomach twist.
“This really isn’t necessary,” I murmured. “I don’t belong at the same table as you.”
“You avoid my eyes whenever you speak to me. You’ve done it since yesterday.” She said instead, her gaze locked onto mine. “It makes me wonder, are you hiding something, Velda?”
“No. Of course not, my Queen.”
I forced myself to meet her stare.
If this was the moment my disguise shattered, then so be it.
“You trust me?” she asked.
“I do, my Queen,” I said.
“Then eat.” She tipped her chin toward my plate.
I reached for the sponge,
“You won’t be able to do that with the veil on,” Winter said softly. My hand hovered in midair.
“Take it off.”