Chapter 6
760 Words
Serena
The morning started like usual - the smell of fresh bread and someone arguing over salt . I was doing my best not to think about last night . Not to recall how Toren had stood so close , how his gaze practically burned . I wasn’t jealous . I was just .. annoyed . Intensely and throughly annoyed . But peace didn’t last long .
“ Ella ! “ Lynnette called from the door . “ To me . Clean . “
The word “ clean “ sounded like a sentence . I wiped my hands , changed into a neat dress , and followed . A dozen panicked thoughts churned in my head : what did I do now ?
Lynnette looked at me like she expected me to ruin the outfit just by existing .
“ You’re off kitchen duty , “ she said sharply .
“ I am ? “
“ You’ve been assigned to the inner quarters . Personal request . “
I froze .
“ who .. requested it ? “
“ Do I look like someone they report too ? “ She snorted . “ Just passing the message . You start tomorrow . And be careful . Things are different there . They already expecting you . “
My chest tightened .
Expecting me ?
Who exactly ?
I nodded silently . Words failed me . But in my mind , one face surfaced .
One stare .
Him .
Toren
When I told the councilor one of the maids deserved better placement - I wasn’t lying .
She does deserve more . More of my time . My attention . My questions she keeps dodging so well .
Too many things don’t add up . She knows how to hold a spoon and how to look a commander in the eye like he’s just another man . And what’s most intriguing - she clearly playing a game , but not by the usual rules .
Now she’ll be closer .
I didn’t ask them to pick her - I merely .. hinted .
Sometimes , that’s all it takes .
Now let’s see .. how close she’ll get .
Serena
The morning felt strange .
No flour on my face . No shouting over salt . Just a new dress - more formal , more “ presentable “ - and a tight feeling feeling in my chest . Like I was walking into a trap , carefully designed by someone who knew exactly what bait would work .
The inner chambers were quieter . Silk curtains , polished floors , servants moving like shadows - silent , quick , precise .
“ This isn’t the kitchen , “ one girl whispered as she passed me . “ You can’t afford to be stupid here . “
Well , thanks for the warm welcome , I thought . Now I really feel at home .
They placed me near the throne room to assist - setting tables for tea , offering glasses , clearing before anything had the chance to be messy .
I was managing . Until the doors opened - and he walked in .
Toren .
No armor today . Just a black shirt and that same gaze - confident , calm , dangerous .
He walked past , then stopped . Right in front of me .
“She holding up ? “ He asked Lynnette nearby .
“ She hasn’t run yet , “ she snorted .
He turned to me . I straightened like I had a sword down my back .
“ Still enjoying table settings ? “ he asked softly .
“ Still can’t walk past without commenting ? “ I shot back .
He smirked - just a little .
“ With you , boredom doesn’t stand a chance .”
And he walked off , leaving me holding a tray and wondering why my heart was pounding like I’d just escaped a prison cell .
“ What was that ? “ the girl beside me whispered .
“ That ..” I paused , “ is called irritation in human form . “
“ Oh , really ?” She giggled . “Because he looked at you like he wants to .. you know . “
“ Stop it , “ I said sharply . “ This is work . Nothing more . “
But my mind .. had other ideas .
And all of them were about him .
- Writer
