CHAPTER SIXTEENService and Surprise~Ariee~Fiona practically skipped on the marble as we left the King’s chambers. Her smile was wide, triumphant, the kind that made my teeth grind.She was acting like she just won a war. “You saw that, didn’t you?” she gushed, voice practically trembling with excitement. “He… he didn't speak too much! And yet—oh, Ariee, he looked at me! I’m telling you, every gesture, every breath—it was all for me!”I tried to keep my face neutral, but my stomach twisted. All for her? Please. The King’s icy stare didn’t scream “admiration,” it screamed “you are about to meet your end.” But Fiona didn’t care. She never did.“And tonight,” she continued, glancing around to make sure we weren’t overheard, “I will hear the punishment for both of us… if any. While I spend time with the King, you…” she jabbed a finger at me, “...will observe and handle all the details, including the manual labour...”“I—my lady—” I started, hesitation thick in my throat.“Ariee, no int
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