Chapter 8
773 Words
By the following morning, the palace had a new story.
And, somehow, everyone knew it before Elena did.
She was carrying a basket of freshly washed linens through the servants' corridor when the whispering began.
"That's her."
Elena slowed.
"Who?"
"The girl."
"Which girl?"
"The king's servant."
Elena frowned.
She continued walking.
Behind her, two servants lowered their voices.
"His Majesty personally defended her yesterday."
"I heard he dismissed someone because of her."
"Not just anyone. Clara had served the royal household for years."
"Why would the king care about a servant?"
Elena stopped.
Her fingers tightened around the basket.
She turned.
"What are you talking about?"
The servants immediately fell silent.
One of them looked away.
The other forced a smile.
"Nothing."
Elena stared at them.
Then she continued walking.
But the whispers followed.
By the time she reached the kitchen, three different versions of the story were already circulating.
The king had saved her.
The king had ordered the guards to protect her.
The king had become interested in her.
One servant even whispered that the king had been seen alone with her in the garden.
That one made Elena's face burn.
"That's ridiculous," she muttered.
Mara looked at her.
"What is?"
"Nothing."
Mara lowered her voice.
"Don't listen to them."
"I wasn't."
"You were."
Elena sighed.
"They're making everything sound strange."
Mara looked around before speaking.
"Because it is strange."
Elena frowned.
"What?"
"Elena, the king doesn't interfere in servants' affairs."
"He was simply correcting an injustice."
"Exactly."
Mara stared at her.
"He corrected it himself."
Elena didn't know what to say.
Before she could answer, the kitchen door opened.
A group of young servants entered.
Their conversation stopped the moment they saw Elena.
One of them smiled.
"So it's true."
Elena frowned.
"What?"
"You really spoke to His Majesty alone."
Another servant laughed.
"She even called him by his name."
Elena's face became hot.
"I didn't know who he was."
"That's even worse."
"Why?"
"You spoke to the king like he was an ordinary vampire."
Elena sighed.
"I didn't know."
The servant leaned closer.
"Maybe that's why he likes you."
The kitchen fell silent.
Elena stared at her.
"He doesn't like me."
The girl shrugged.
"How do you know?"
"Because I'm a servant."
"Exactly."
The girl smiled.
"Maybe that's what makes you interesting."
Elena shook her head.
"This is ridiculous."
She picked up the basket and walked away.
But the rumors didn't stop.
They spread through the palace like smoke.
By lunchtime, nobles had heard them.
By evening, even the guards were whispering.
And eventually...
the rumor reached the royal court.
---
Lady Seraphina stood in the middle of her chambers.
Mirella was brushing her hair.
"How many?" Seraphina asked.
"Enough."
Seraphina looked at her reflection.
"Tell me."
Mirella smiled faintly.
"They say His Majesty personally defended Elena."
Seraphina's jaw tightened.
"They say he has spoken to her several times."
A pause.
"They say he met her alone in the garden."
The brush stopped.
Seraphina's eyes darkened.
"Anything else?"
Mirella hesitated.
"Some believe the king is interested in her."
The room became silent.
Seraphina slowly stood.
"Interested?"
"That is what they say."
Seraphina walked toward the window.
Below, servants moved through the courtyard.
She could already imagine what the court would say if the rumors continued.
A king.
A human slave.
An impossible match.
She clenched her fists.
"People forget themselves."
Mirella placed the brush down.
"Rumors can be dangerous."
"They can also be useful."
Mirella looked at her.
Seraphina turned.
"Let them talk."
"My lady?"
"If the king truly has no interest in Elena, the rumors will disappear."
"And if he does?"
Seraphina's expression hardened.
"Then I will know."
---
That evening, Elena sat alone in the servants' quarters.
She stared at the small window beside her bed.
She couldn't understand why everyone suddenly cared about her.
She hadn't done anything.
She hadn't asked the king to defend her.
She hadn't asked him to notice her.
She hadn't even wanted to meet him.
Yet somehow, his attention had placed a target on her back.
Elena sighed.
Then she heard footsteps outside.
She looked toward the door.
Someone stopped outside.
A moment later, a folded piece of paper slipped underneath it.
Elena stared.
Slowly, she picked it up.
There were only five words written on it.
Her blood ran cold.
Stay away from the king.
Elena looked toward the door.
No one was there.
She unfolded the paper again.
There was no name.
No explanation.
Only the warning.
She should have been frightened.
Instead, one question filled her mind.
Who was afraid of what might happen if she didn't?
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