Chapter 33: Of Shadows, Commands, and Silent Defiance
Chapter 32: Of Shadows, Commands, and Silent Defiance
Lyria’s POV
"Do you dare to question me, Lyria?" Jacinta asked me, her voice low and dangerous.
The sharpness that had cut through the chamber only moments before had smoothed into something even more intense, as if she were gazing at an insect that had no right to question her.
I bowed deeper.
"N–no, Your Highness," I said quietly. "I would never dare."
The broken porcelain still littered the floor between us, pale fragments scattered like fallen petals. The overturned stool lay where it had been thrown. The scent of water and crushed flowers from the shattered vase clung faintly to the air.
"I only meant..." I hesitated, choosing my words with care. "I only meant that I was n–not certain what Your Highness was referring to. I d–did not understand what you meant when you asked me why I was n–not present."
Her eyes studied me with unhurried precision.
Then she laughed. It was a short sound and did not sound very polite either. Well, Jacinta was never polite.
"How very convenient."
I remained still, my hands folded before my skirts, my gaze fixed obediently upon the floor.
"Have you truly forgotten," she asked, tilting her head slightly, "that you are to watch me when I interact with people of importance?"
The words were delivered with mild incredulity, as though I had misplaced something absurdly obvious.
I frowned before I could stop myself.
That was not what I had been told. Perhaps I had not received the memo. From what I knew, I was to only do that when the Queen required it, which was often, but it was not every time.
"With respect, Your Highness," I said softly, lifting my eyes only just enough to be considered attentive, "that was n–not a condition given to me."
Kyia’s presence pressed like a weight against the far wall. I knew the woman who had a penchant for gossiping was listening, and rather attentively too.
"The Queen did n–not instruct me to remain in the shadows today," I continued carefully, my pulse steady despite the tightening in my chest. "N–nor to observe Your Highness while—"
Jacinta laughed again.
This time, it was unmistakably mocking.
The sound cut across my words and silenced me.
"Starting from today," she said, stepping closer, her slipper brushing a fragment of porcelain aside, "you will be present for everything that concerns my suitors."
I lifted my eyes fully now.
"You will stand where you are unseen," she went on pleasantly, "and you will watch."
Her smile sharpened.
"You will watch as I choose."
She circled a slow step around me.
"You will watch as men of standing and consequence compete for my attention."
Her voice lowered, intimate and deliberate.
"You will watch as they run after me."
For a brief and traitorous moment, a single, unhelpful thought drifted quietly through my mind.
Why would she think that would wound me?
The notion felt strange and distant, like someone else’s foolish hope pressed clumsily into my hands. I did not care whom she chose. I did not care who sought her favour. I cared only that she did not interfere with the few narrow paths of my own life—the fragile routes that led to my mother’s chambers, to the hidden herbs beneath my floorboards, and to the quiet room where Patricia waited for me.
But none of that could be spoken. Instead, I bowed like the respectful subject I was.
"If the Queen so requests, Your Highness," I said evenly, "then I shall obey."
Jacinta halted, and her smile faded at once. Her eyes hardened too.
It was obvious she did not like my answer. But that was not my fault. The Queen was in charge here, after all.
"If the Queen requests," she repeated softly.
She turned slowly until she stood directly before me.
"Are you telling me," she asked, "that you will disobey my command?"
I lifted my head just enough to meet her gaze.
"I would n–never disobey you, Your Highness," I said quietly. "But while I am assigned to your service, it is the Queen’s instructions that I follow."
The silence that followed was immediate.
Kyia sucked in a breath. "That is outright disrespect to Her Highness. Know your place, you servant," she told me.
I ignored her words.
Jacinta’s mouth curved inward, as though she were containing something sharp.
"The Queen," she said slowly, "is my mother."
I inclined my head at once.
"Yes, Your Highness," I said.
"I do not require her voice to command my own household." Her eyes sharpened as she spoke. "When I speak, you obey."
I held my hands tighter together.
"With respect, Your Highness," I said, my voice careful and steady, "if the Queen instructs that I am to attend Your Highness in such a manner, then I shall do so without hesitation."
For a heartbeat, she only stared at me.
Then she scoffed.
The sound was sharp and dismissive.
"Get out."
I bowed deeply at once.
"Yes, Your Highness."
I turned immediately toward the door, but then she called me back.
"Lyria?"
I quickly and discreetly rolled my eyes before turning back to her, my posture perfectly still.
She looked at me as though I had offended her a second time simply by complying.
"Are you truly leaving?"
The disbelief in her tone was almost comical.
"You just instructed me to leave, Your Highness," I replied softly.
Her lips pressed together, and she scoffed again.
Then she turned her head sharply toward the window where her personal maid stood.
"Kyia."
Kyia stepped forward at once and bowed.
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Ensure that Lyria is assigned to work in the stables today."
My breath caught quietly in my chest.
"And see that she is not given lunch," Jacinta added coolly. "Since she is so determined to be obstinate."
Kyia bowed lower.
"At once, Your Highness."
I lowered myself into a final, deep bow.
Then Kyia moved briskly to my side and guided me from the chamber.
The door closed behind us.
At least I could avoid seeing Jacinta’s face for a while.
