Chapter 105 The morning After the Tears
Light crept through the thin curtains of the servants' quarters, gray and cold. Lila woke with her face pressed against a damp pillow. Her eyes felt swollen, tight. Every blink hurt.
She sat up slowly. Her chest ached like someone had carved something out of it and left the space hollow.
“I think you're weak. A liability. Pathetic.“
Adrian's words circled in her head, sharp-edged and merciless. She pressed her palms against her eyes, trying to stop fresh tears from falling.
The door burst open.
Maya rushed in, still wearing her nightdress, copper hair wild around her face. Her eyes went wide when she saw Lila.
"Moon Goddess, what happened to you?"
Lila opened her mouth but nothing came out. What could she say? That the King had destroyed her with words alone? That she'd been stupid enough to feel something when he touched her face?
Maya sat on the narrow bed and pulled Lila into her arms. The kindness broke something loose. Lila's shoulders shook but she made no sound. She'd learned not to cry loudly. Loud crying drew attention.
"Did he hurt you?" Maya's voice went hard.
"No." Lila pulled back, wiping her face roughly. "Not like that."
"Then like what?"
Footsteps echoed in the hallway outside. Both girls froze.
A sharp knock rattled the door.
"Lady Lila Hartwell." The voice was clipped, formal. "You are summoned to the training yard at dawn. By order of His Majesty, the Alpha King."
Maya's grip on Lila's arm tightened. "She's not well. She needs rest."
"The summons is not optional." The guard's shadow shifted under the door. "One hour. Do not be late."
His footsteps retreated down the hall.
Lila's stomach turned over. Training, more punishment. More proof of how weak she was, how she didn't belong.
"You're not going." Maya stood up, pacing the small room like a caged wolf. "You can barely stand. Look at you."
Lila looked down at her hands. They were shaking. She clenched them into fists but the trembling spread up her arms.
"I have to go. If I don't, it'll be worse."
"How could it possibly be worse?"
'When I'm finished, you'll beg me to let you leave.'
Lila stood on unsteady legs. Her body still felt weak from whatever had happened yesterday. The training, the collapse, waking in Adrian's room. All of it blurred together in her mind.
She reached for her plain brown dress hanging on a peg. Maya grabbed it first.
"At least eat something. You're shaking."
"I'm not hungry."
"I don't care." Maya thrust a piece of bread into Lila's hand. "Eat."
Lila took a small bite. It tasted like ash in her mouth. She forced herself to swallow.
While she dressed, Maya braided her hair with quick, efficient movements. Neither of them spoke. The silence felt heavy, pressing down on Lila's chest.
A burst of laughter echoed from the hallway.
Both girls went still.
"Did you hear? She spent the entire night in the King's chambers."
"No shame at all. Poor Queen Celeste must be rolling in her grave."
"I heard she collapsed and he had to carry her. How convenient."
More laughter. The voices faded as the servants passed by.
Lila's face burned hot. Her hands curled into the fabric of her dress.
Maya's jaw clenched. "Ignore them. They're idiots."
But Lila couldn't ignore it. The whole palace would be talking. Judging. Looking at her with knowing smirks and disgusted frowns.
She finished dressing and headed for the door.
"Lila." Maya caught her wrist. "Whatever he said to you last night, whatever he made you feel... he's wrong. You're not weak."
Lila wanted to believe her. But Maya hadn't heard the coldness in Adrian's voice. Hadn't seen the way he looked at her like she was something broken and worthless.
"I'll see you later."
She pulled free and stepped into the hallway.
The walk through the palace felt endless. Servants stopped their work to stare. Some whispered behind their hands. Others just looked, their expressions a mix of pity and contempt.
Lila kept her eyes forward and her chin up. She wouldn't give them the satisfaction of seeing her crumble.
When she passed the main staircase, a familiar scent hit her. Perfume and roses. Too sweet.
"Well, well."
Margot stood on the landing above, dressed in emerald green silk. Her dark auburn hair fell in perfect waves over her shoulders. She looked like a painting, beautiful and cold.
Lila stopped. She couldn't help it.
Margot descended the stairs slowly, each step deliberate. When she reached Lila, she circled her once, taking in the plain dress and hastily braided hair.
"You look terrible, darling." Margot's smile didn't reach her eyes. "Rough night?"
Lila said nothing.
"The whole palace is talking, you know. The King's mysterious new favorite. Spending nights in his chambers, fainting dramatically in his arms." Margot leaned closer, dropping her voice to a whisper. "Tell me, was it worth it? Did he make you feel special before he reminded you what you really are?"
Something sharp twisted in Lila's chest. How did Margot know? Had servants been listening at the door?
"I don't know what you mean."
"Of course you don't." Margot straightened, smoothing her dress. "Just remember, little wolf. You might warm his bed occasionally, but you'll never be more than a servant. Never more than a shadow of the queen you could never replace."
She walked away, heels clicking on marble.
Lila stood frozen, Margot's words sinking into the wounds Adrian had already opened.
The training yard loomed ahead through the tall windows. Warriors were already gathering, their voices carrying on the cold morning air.
Lila forced herself to move. One foot in front of the other.
When she stepped outside, the conversations died. Every head turned.
Keal stood at the center of the yard, arms crossed, his glasses catching the early light. He looked at her with an expression she couldn't read.
Behind him, partially hidden in shadow, Adrian watched.
Even from this distance, Lila felt his gaze like a physical touch.
Keal gestured her forward. "You're late."
Lila walked across the frozen ground, aware of every eye on her. The other warriors whispered. She caught fragments.
"King's new toy..."
"Lasted one day of training..."
"Watch her collapse again..."
Her face burned but she kept walking until she stood before Keal.
He studied her for a long moment. Then he spoke, loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Today, we see if you're worth the King's time. Or if yesterday was just luck."
The warriors laughed.
Lila's hands clenched at her sides. She met Keal's eyes and saw something flicker there. Not cruelty. Something else.
'Pity.'
It was worse than hatred.
She lifted her chin. "I'm ready."
Keal's mouth twitched. Almost a smile. Almost.
"We'll see."