She turns stiffly, clearly shaken.
She adds tightly:
“I’m here to escort you to the royal dinner.”
Her face twitches, just enough for me to catch the flicker of pure hatred behind her polite mask.
I meet her eyes without flinching, letting her know I saw it.
“I’m ready to go,” I say simply, picking up the calm confidence she clearly can’t stand.
For a moment, she presses her lips together, fighting the urge to bite back.
Then she gives a stiff little nod and pivots sharply toward the door.
“Follow me,” she mutters.
Fine.
Let her lead.
Behind me, Nina whispers, barely containing a smile,
“You really stunned her.”
Good.
Someone needed to.
My room may not be royal, but it’s mine.
And if Cassia thinks she can treat me like nothing because this palace ranked me a concubine, she’
