CHAPTER 181: CONFRONTING HER

Rhynera paced the room like a caged animal, fists clenched, eyes wild.

"No...no, this can’t be happening. I am the crown princess. Everyone is supposed to respect me, not her. Why is she winning?" Her voice shook with anger.

She had been in her chambers for days now, after the king had stripped her of her position. She had become the shadow of herself.

Not even her husband cared for her, he only cared about his mother and this wasn’t only making her go crazy but growing hatred in her heart.

The door pushed open, and Serena stepped in without knocking, four maids behind her, carrying a low tray piled with covered dishes.

Rhynera wore a simple white robe, there was no jewelry just as instructed by the king. Fury burned inside her eyes as she watched Serena walk inside.

Rhynera fired so fast her gown rustled. "Why are you in my chamber?" she snapped.

Serena gave a small bow before responding.

"I brought breakfast for you, The palace asks the food not to be sent to you because of your last actions toward the people who had brought your food but I decided to go against the rules."

Just then one maid hovered with a teapot, another with a bowl of soup, and two more with plates wrapped in linen.

Rhynera’s face curdled. "I don’t want your food or your pity so get out!"

Serena’s smile didn’t break. "I didn’t expect thanks," she said softly. "If you don’t want to, it’s fine."

Rhynera’s breath came fast. Her hands shook with rage. "You think you can come here proud and smug after taking what was meant for me? Get out of my sight!"

"For the last time I am asking... would you take it or not?" Serena asked again.

Without warning, she strode forward and shoved the tray away from their hands in anger. Food slid and tumbled across the floor.

The maids cried out and backed up as a bright, ugly mess spread on the floor.

A smile spread across Serena’s face, small and satisfied. She watched Rhynera’s temper burn itself out.

"Have you seen my response! Now get the hell out!" she yelled at Serena’s face again.

"There... If you destroy what people bring for you, then no one will waste their care," Serena replied.

Then she turned to the maid who still had their head bowed.

"From now on, nothing more will come into the princess’s crown..." Seren paused and glanced back at Rhynera having that teasing look.

"Sorry... I have forgotten you don’t have the title again... so let’s go with just princess." Rhynera could only clench her fist and watch her.

"She would suffer for the consequences along with no food until she is aware of her offense."

The maids looked at one another, then at Serena. Nodding quickly, they picked up what they could salvage and retreated from the chamber. The door closed behind them with a soft click, leaving only Rhynera and Serena.

Rhynera, unable to hold in her anger anymore, her knees gave way as the emptiness and fury struck her at once, and she sank to the floor, tears hot and sudden on her cheeks.

Mia, who had stood quietly by the side, darted forward and dropped to her knees beside her lady, steadying her.

"My lady," Mia whispered, pressing a hand to Rhynera’s sleeve. "Please don’t fall like this... You can’t allow anyone to define you or make you lose."

Serena watched the scene for a long moment, the smile gone from her face.

"Get up," Serena instructed Mia.

Mia glanced up at Serena as she moved forward to see if she was guarding.

"Don’t you dare hurt my lady! I will protect her." she cried out and Serena let out a creepy laugh that made both of them feel cold.

"If you want it then.." Serena clapped her hands and instantly it opened and a man walked in, all covered in a cloak.

Rhynera’s eyes widened in shock as she grabbed Mia’s hands protecting her.

"Wha... what are you trying to do?" but Swrena didn’t respond, instead glancing back at the man.

"Teach her some manners," she instructed.

"What!".Rhynera yelled, and the man walked toward Mia pulling her up roughly.

"Let me go!" She cried out but she was ignored and forcefully dragged out no matter what she called Rhynera she could not be saved.

The moment the door closed Serna glanced back at Rhynera... "How does that feel!"

"You will pay for this! I promise you, Serena!" Sfena broke into another wild laughter as she found her way to a seat.

She slowly sat and stared down at the food, "Pay for what exactly?" Rhy era but her lip is not giving a response.

"Well.. I came here for another reason, if you think not eating is one of my issues then you are joking because I don’t think I give a damn about that!" Rhynera scoffed.

"I want us to make a deal... if interested then... I would love it but if you’re not..." she let out a grin.

"I don’t think I can do anything to save you anymore." Rhynera glanced at Serena, almost in tears.

"What made you think..." But her words trailed off as Serena shut her lips with just a gesture.

Rhynera’s eyes widened as she tried to force herself to speak but it wasn’t happening.

"That’s just a little power I have, I bet you know that." Serena rolled her eyes and then proceeded.

"Leave the inner court and just focus on your love for Adam, I will take in that position... and.." she paused.

"I will bear his heir.." Rhynera struggled to speak but Serena only grinned at her struggle.

"Guess you accepted already." Rhynera angrily stood up rushing toward where Serena said a bit before she got there her foot got stuck.

Rhynera struggled to move but could no longer move. Serena slowly stood from where she sat as he began circling Rhynera.

"I will take that as a yes," Serena whispered so close to her ears. The smile disappeared from Serena’s face after some seconds and she walked toward the door but then turned toward Rhyebra again.

"You will be free after three hours, that should serve as a punishment for trying to mess with me." With that, she walked out and there she met with her handmaid.

"My lady... You are not supposed to use your power, the crown prince might feel it." Serena ignored her handmaid as she walked forward.

"That is too late... he already felt it," Serena whispered, her hands trembling.

Before she could say another word, the door burst open, crashing against the wall. Adam stormed in, fury blazing in his eyes.

"Serena!" His voice roared like thunder as he crossed the room in seconds, his hand gripping her throat tightly.

Serena’s eyes widened, tears slipping out as she clawed at his hands, gasping for air. "Ad .... Adam..." she managed to croak, but his grip only tightened.

"Why did you use your power?" he thundered, his eyes glowing fiercely. "Answer me!"

Serena struggled, shaking her head as her fingers tapped against his wrist in silent pleading. But Adam didn’t stop his anger consumed him. With a harsh motion, he threw her across the room. She hit the floor hard, her body sliding until her handmaiden rushed to catch her.

"My lady!" the maid cried, fury burning in her voice as she faced Adam. "How dare you hurt her!"

Before she could strike, Serena raised a weak hand, stopping her. Her voice cracked as she spoke. "Don’t... stay back."

She looked up at Adam, her voice barely above a whisper. "Adam... I am carrying your child."

Adam froze for a second but the rage in his face only deepened. "I don’t give a damn!" he shouted. "You have ruined everything! You have turned the court against me and made the King see me as nothing!"

He stepped closer and grabbed her arm, yanking her up from the ground.

"If you had told me sooner, we could have dealt with this quietly but now you have turned everything into chaos!"

Serena’s hands flew to her stomach in instinctive protection as he shoved her back against the wall. The crack of impact echoed through the room.

"I curse the day I met you!" Adam spat, his voice sharp with hatred. "I should never have wasted a single feeling on you!"

He released her, letting her fall to the floor. Serena clutched her stomach, trembling, tears streaking her cheeks.

"You wanted to be my concubine?" Adam scoffed, his voice cold. "I will make your life a living hell."

Serena looked up at him, her lips quivering. "Adam... you hurt me?"

Adam’s expression didn’t soften. "You think I love you?" he sneered. "You think I would ever make you a crown princess? I would rather see Rhynera take that title she’s worth far more to the realm than you will ever be."

Serena’s heart shattered at his words. Her tears fell faster, but her voice turned dark, trembling with fury. "I will make you regret this, Adam. Even death will not save you from what’s coming."

Adam laughed bitterly, the sound sharp and cruel. "You can do nothing, Serena. I will be the one laughing when you are begging for mercy when that bastard child of yours means nothing!"

He turned to leave, but her voice low, cold, and venomous stopped him at the door.

"The crown prince’s throne..." she whispered. "Your days sitting on it are numbered, Adam."