Emilia's POV
I was going to throw up.
The second the mistress called my name, something inside me curled into itself, clawing at my chest like a trapped animal. I stood there frozen, blood draining from my face as every girl turned to look at me.
Her smile was thin. Too polite. Too practiced.
“Emilia, His Majesty has requested for you.”
The entire room went still.
I knew what that meant.
He had asked for me.
Again.
I swallowed, but it was like trying to breathe through gravel. My legs refused to move until two guards stepped forward and gripped my arms. Not hard, but firm enough to let me know I had no choice.
No say.
No power.
Not here.
As they led me through the corridor, I tried not to breathe too deeply. I knew this path. I recognized the dark marbled tiles, the silence t
