Chapter 34: Chapter 34

Bailey’s POV

After the spat with Nathaniel, Benjamin knocked softly and slipped inside. I was still on my knees, a wreck. My face must have looked like something out of a horror film — swollen eyes, streaked makeup, hair a mess. The crying had stopped for now, but my cheeks were still damp and hot from the salt of it.

“I could come back later, if you’d like,” Benjamin said. His voice was low, careful, like someone stepping around a sleeping animal. I blinked until the room sharpened and focused on him. He was in sweats again, casual and steady — a calm anchor when everything else felt like it was spinning.

“No… it’s fine.” My voice came out small. “Are you… accompanying me today?”

He nodded and offered his hand. I took it without thinking and let him pull me up.

“I’m glad it’s you.” I managed a weak smile. He returned one that felt sincere.

“I’ll wait outside. Call me when you’re ready… your majesty.” He bowed a little, then left. Your majesty. The word sat wrong in my mouth. Technically I was queen now, but public knowledge of that was limited. Nathaniel wanted it announced at the annual ball — whenever that was. My head still throbbed from yesterday.

I took a quick shower, brushed my teeth, and dressed in the comfortable clothes Benjamin had recommended: leggings and a plain shirt. My hair went into a messy braid; a few loose strands framed my face. In the mirror I looked like a better version of myself — not a queen, but presentable enough.

Benjamin and I walked to the dining hall. Heads turned as we passed, whispers trailing in our wake. Telepathy was acting up again; snatches of thought floated through me — curiosity, speculation, the occasional cruel joke. Some assumed I was the king’s new toy. Others thought I’d been a prisoner. Not entirely wrong, either.

In the dining hall Lucian was already there, scribbling furiously on a notepad. He wore his lab coat over a pale blue suit and his silver hair was pulled back in a low ponytail. Glasses perched on his nose. He looked up as we approached and motioned for us to join him.

“I see you barely got any rest, Miss Bailey — pardon me, your majesty,” he said, instantly correcting himself. I waved my hands.

“No. Just Bailey, please. And don’t call me your majesty— not publicly, anyway. Not yet.”

They exchanged looks and agreed it was wiser to keep things quiet for now.

The waiter set plates down. I dug in because my stomach was growling louder than my anxiety. Lucian rubbed his eyes as Benjamin made small talk.

“So how’s the lab work going?” Benjamin asked.

Lucian gave a dry sound. “You mean how it’s not going.” He took off his glasses and massaged his temples.

“Not good, then? Didn’t you hire an assistant recently?” Benjamin asked.

Lucian’s expression turned sour. “He drank from the blue bottle in my cabinet thinking it was alcohol. Dropped dead on the floor. Had to shut the lab for days. Nathaniel’s been on my case ever since.”

I couldn’t help myself. “Don’t bother hiding it, Lucian. I heard enough.” Both of them looked at me, surprised.

“You’ve developed another trick,” Lucian said, adjusting his glasses. “When did you get telepathy that strong?”

“Ever since Nathaniel recaptured me at the main gate,” I said. Lucian and Benjamin exchanged another look — impressed and worried in equal measure.

Lucian turned back to his notes. “So — what now? Another assistant?”

I had an idea. With nothing much to do and a dangerous gap in my knowledge, why not try to be useful?

“Can I help you in the lab?” I asked. I kept my voice steady.

He paused, thinking. “How would you help, Miss Bailey?”

“I’m a fourth-year medical student back home. I did hospital internships and some practical work. I know basic lab procedure and can follow directions. I can be eyes and hands for you, and you’ll have me under your watch.” I smiled, trying to sell it.

Benjamin pushed in: “She’s honest, Lucian. You could use the help, and it would speed things up.”

Lucian hesitated, but then sighed. “Fine. But stay out of my cabinet, and be in my lab tomorrow at eight a.m. sharp.”

“Yes, sir!” I saluted jokingly. Benjamin laughed; Lucian rolled his eyes.

Lucian stood. “I’m off to settle this with his highness — he’ll give me a lecture about this, no doubt.” He left, papers tucked under his arm.

With Lucian gone, I asked the question that had been bubbling under the surface for days. “Ben… can I call you Ben?”

He smiled. “Please do.”

“Could you take me to see Idris again?” I blurted out. My voice sounded small in the big hall. When Benjamin didn’t answer immediately my chest sank. I really wanted to see the dragon again. Something in him felt unjust, trapped.

Benjamin’s gaze dropped. For a moment I worried he’d refuse. Then he looked up. “Very well,” he said. “But not today.”

A sigh escaped me. “Not today?”

“I have something else planned for you,” he said, suddenly serious. “You’ll be doing this with me often from now on.”

“And what is that?” My heart dropped. I already had a bad feeling about it.

“We’ll start your training with the Heart’s power,” he said. “King’s orders.”

Figures. Just when I thought I might get a break. My mouth twisted into a grin that wasn’t a happy one. “I can’t wait to start kicking Nathaniel’s ass,” I muttered.

Benjamin’s eyes softened. “We’ll start carefully. You won’t be alone.”