The next morning, Evelina stood stiffly in a grand hall she could hardly believe was real.
Massive marble pillars rose to the sky. Crimson banners lined the walls, embroidered with golden lions — the symbol of Vaeloria, King Lucien's kingdom.
And she...
She was no longer a princess.
She was a servant now — wearing a plain gray dress, hair tied back, head bowed low.
"You will begin in the gardens," said an elderly woman named Mistress Halda, the head maid.
"Keep your head down. Speak only when spoken to. Fail once, and you'll be out on the streets. Understood?"
"Yes," Evelina whispered.
Her hands trembled as she picked up a basket of tools.
Only a few days ago, she had sat on a golden throne. Now she knelt in the dirt, cutting dead roses under a foreign sun.
But she did not complain.
She clenched her teeth. She buried her pride.
She would survive.
She would learn everything she could.
Because this kingdom — this cold and beautiful place — would be her training ground.
---
Hours passed. The sun beat down mercilessly. Evelina's palms blistered, her knees ached.
But she kept working.
Then —
A shadow fell across her.
Heavy. Commanding.
Slowly, she looked up... and froze.
King Lucien stood there, arms crossed, observing her.
He said nothing.
Just watched, silver eyes unreadable.
Was he judging her? Laughing at her misery?
Heart pounding, Evelina quickly bowed her head again and continued pulling weeds.
The basket shook in her hands.
To her shock, King Lucien spoke — his voice softer this time.
"What is your name?"
Evelina hesitated.
If she gave her real name, it could cost her life.
Her aunt's assassins could be anywhere.
So she lied.
"Eva, Your Majesty."
There was a pause.
A long, heavy silence that made her blood freeze.
Then the king said quietly,
"Eva."
As if tasting the name.
He turned and walked away without another word.
Only after his footsteps faded did Evelina dare to lift her head.
She realized something then.
Something terrifying.
King Lucien Vaelthorn had not believed her.
Not for a second.
---
That night, Evelina lay awake in her small servant's quarters.
Moonlight poured through the high windows, silvering the stone walls.
She touched the place over her heart.
"Stay alive," she whispered to herself. "Stay invisible. Get stronger."
But deep down, a seed had already been planted.
A connection, however fragile, between the broken princess and the ruthless king.
Neither of them knew it yet.
But fate had already begun to weave their threads together.
And soon...
The whole world would tremble when they rose.
Together.