ASHES BENEATH THE CROWN 👑

CHAPTER 10 - Eyes That Begin to Notice

Word traveled fast in the palace.

Faster than Amina expected.

By the time she stepped into the staff quarters later that afternoon, the air already felt different. Conversations quieted slightly. Glances lingered longer than usual.

“You’re the one who broke the ornament, right?”

A voice came from behind.

Amina turned to see a girl leaning against the doorway, arms folded, expression curious but edged with something sharper.

“I made a mistake,” Amina replied carefully.

The girl raised a brow. “And you’re still here?”

Amina didn’t answer.

Because she didn’t know how to explain something she barely understood herself.

Another worker joined in, lowering her voice.

“People have been dismissed for less.”

That part Amina believed.

Which meant one thing—

The prince had chosen not to send her away.

And that choice was already drawing attention.

“Be careful,” the first girl added, her tone shifting slightly. “Favour here is… complicated.”

Amina nodded slowly.

“I’m not looking for favour.”

The girl gave a small, knowing smile.

“That’s what everyone says at the beginning.”

Amina said nothing.

Because deep down, she wasn’t sure what she was looking for anymore.

Elsewhere in the palace, the prince stood by a window, his thoughts quieter than usual.

“Something on your mind?”

His friend, Kwesi, stepped beside him, following his gaze.

“Nothing important,” the prince replied.

Kwesi smirked slightly. “It’s never ‘nothing’ with you.”

The prince hesitated, then spoke.

“A new worker made a mistake today.”

Kwesi waited.

“And?” he prompted.

“She didn’t make excuses.”

Kwesi let out a short laugh. “That’s what impressed you?”

The prince didn’t respond immediately.

It wasn’t just that.

It was the way she had looked at him.

Not with fear.

Not with entitlement.

But with… honesty.

And in a place filled with performance—

That was rare.