Chapter 4
1061 Words
Serena
I walked down the corridor with a basket of fresh linens . Thoughts of Toren still swirled in my head .
Why did he speak to me like that ?
Why did he voice sound so .. dangerously pleasant ?
I was so lost in thought , I didn’t see the man stepping from the shadows until I collided with him .
“Apologies , “ I said quickly , stepping back .
He wore a dark cloak trimmed in silver . His face was tired , his eyes sunken , gaze distant and sad . He said nothing , only gave a small nod and walked on , vanishing into the dim hallway .
I frowned . Who was that ?
“ You do know who you were just speaking to ? “ came a familiar voice behind me .
I spun around .
“You again ? Are you following me ? Or are you just a fan ? “
Toren stood there , arms crossed , wearing that same maddening smirk .
“That was His Majesty . The king of Varkadia .”
For a moment , everything froze . My grip on the basket tightened until my fingers turned white .
“Oh ,” I breathed .
His smirk deepened .
“Might want to remember who you’re supposed to bow to , Ella .”
He brushed past me - deliberately , too close - and vanished into the shadows , leaving me standing there .
And my heart pounded again - from fear , from anger .. and something else entirely .
Serena
A whole week had passed . A full week without running into Toren .
And I wasn’t sure if I was relieved .. or uneasy . He’d vanished - not a glimpse of him in the halls , no sighting in the corridors , not even his shadow . Only his name lingered in conversations - “ the commander said this , “ the commander ordered that ,” like he’d become some ghost pulling strings from afar .
I was elbow - deep in flour when someone walked into the kitchen carrying a paper . An officer , apparently , with the king’s dinner request . Surprisingly modest .
“ His Majesty asks for a simple stew and bread , “ Lynette announced .
“ The king eats ? “ Elvy blinked . “ I thought he fed on loneliness and gloom . “
“ And why is he always so .. moody anyway ?” I asked , saw him once .
“ Because he’s lonelier than a crumbling castle , “ Lynette smirked .
“Rumor says his sister left him her child once . He raised her like his own , then the sister returned and took the girl back . He’s never been the same .”
“ Really ? “ I raised a brow .
“ They say he even gave her a name , Elvy added . But it’s all gossip , of course . “
I shrugged . Maybe because I couldn’t remember my own childhood , those “ rumors “ didn’t stir much in me . No sadness , no longing - just the strange sense that the room suddenly got quieter .
Then the door slammed open .
“ Hey , you ! “ came that voice - the one I was starting to believe cursed my name .
I turned around .. only to see Toren Ravenskar walk right past me and stop in front of Adelet . She nearly dropped a pot from sheer shock .
He took her hand and led her away . Just like that . No explanation . Not even a glance in my direction .
I clenched my jaw .
“ Jealous ? “ Elvy whispered , smirking .
“No , “ I said flatly . “Just nice to know I’m not the only one he irritates around here .”
“ Sure you’re not , “ she snickered .
Let him lead off whoever he wants . What do I care . I’m not jealous . Not at all .
Twenty minutes later , they came back . Adelet - red as poppy . Toren - with that smirk .
“Ella , “ he said , like we were old friends . “ Would you mind helping Adelet ? She says her hands are all wrong . And you’re the cutlery expert , aren’t you ? “
I turned toward him with the politest fake smile I could muster .
“ Of course , Commander . I’ve dreamed of this since childhood .”
“Adelet , tell her what you told me , “ he pressed .
“I .. just said I’m bad at this .. and Ella does everything perfectly . “
“Excellent , “ he grinned . “ Perfect chance to show off your talent . “
Is he mocking me ?
Or .. testing ?
We walked into the hall . I set the table with a stone face . Adelet was shaking . Toren was watching .
At one point , I leaned down to fix a napkin - and he stepped in too close . Our arms brushed . Barely - but it sent a sharp chill through me .
I straightened too fast . Adelet dropped a spoon .
“ Everything alright ? “ Toren asked dryly , not looking away .
“ Perfect , “ I said , unblinking . “ Especially with such .. leadership . “
“ Glad you noticed , “ he replied smoothly .
We finished . I stepped away , nearly bumping his shoulder . He didn’t move . Neither did I .
Our eyes locked - and I was the first to look away .
Toren
It was a test . Another one .
I don’t trust her . Not for a second .
But why is it , every time she looks at me with that sharp defiance in her eyes , I forget what I was going to say ?
Why does she smell like honey and gunpowder at once ?
And if she’s just a suspect .. why the hell do I want to brush her arm again ?
- Writer
