CHAPTER 46: GETTING HER BACK

Rhynera stepped out of the bathing chambers, her damp hair falling loosely down her back.

A thin robe clung to her skin, and the cold breeze brushing through the open corridor made her shiver slightly.

She had only wanted a moment of peace, perhaps a stroll through the garden to breathe under the stars and clear her thoughts.

She reached for the crushed herbs beside the pillar, the ones her handmaid had prepared to calm her nerves.

But before her fingers could close around them, Queen Sephora emerged from the archway.

Rhynera quickly bowed, in respect her voice soft, "Your Majesty... may the night bless your rest."

The queen didn’t respond. Her sharp eyes raked over Rhynera’s form with cool disdain.

"So this is the fool they sent to stand beside my son," the queen said coldly.

Rhynera felt hurt at her words, she had already planned how she would get the queen to work by her side but here because of her sister’s silly plans the queen hates her already.

"Tell me, Rhynera... how can someone so stupid allow a blind girl to outshine her?" Rhynera lifted her head, lips parting in disbelief.

"Your Highness..."

"Don’t waste my time with courtesies," Sephora snapped. "Do you not desire the Crown Prince? Or have you come here only to play nursemaid to your little sister?"

Rhynera clenched her jaw. "I do not seek to compete with my sister, Your Majesty. Lumina... she is blind. She needs care... I understand when she plays silly games.."

The queen’s voice turned to a hiss. "That’s not why you’re here! You were sent to be the Crown Princess. Or have you already forgotten that?" She stepped closer, her presence cold and suffocating.

"While you watch like a fool, Ashen’s little mouse has gained ground. Her man is promoted. Every moon day she grows in favor. And you? You parade around with washed hair and empty hands!"

Rhynera’s face went pale, but she managed a brittle smile. "Lumina is my sister. I cannot hate her for needing all that.."

Queen Sephora’s eyes flashed. "Then you are weak."

The words struck deep and she continued, her voice rising like thunder in the hall.

"If you do not prove your worth, the marriage will be broken. My son will choose another to sit beside him. You..." She looked Rhynera over like she was filth beneath her shoes

"Will become a concubine, a forgotten flower in the corner of his court."

Rhynera’s hand trembled slightly, but she didn’t lower her gaze.

"You want me to fight her?" she asked.

"I want you to win," Sephora growled. "You were chosen to stand beside a crown. So earn it."

There was a beat of silence before Rhynera lifted her chin.

"Then I need my maid," she said slowly. "The one who came with me from home. Her name is Mia. If I am to rise to this task, I need someone who knows how I work who doesn’t betray me."

The queen raised a brow, considering her. Then she flicked her hand toward her handmaiden. "Bring the girl."

Rhynera bowed deeply. "Thank you, Your Highness."

"You have a few days," Sephora said without looking back. "Prove yourself... or lose everything."

She turned and left the corridor, her robes sweeping behind her like the final stroke of judgment. Rhynera stood frozen in place, the queen’s words echoing in her skull. Her fists curled at her sides.

Moments later, she stormed into her chambers, slamming the door behind her.

She paced the room like a caged beast, heart pounding. Her nails bit into her palms. She wanted to scream.

"Lumina!" she screamed scattering the chambers as every maid present shifted back in fear.

"You!" she pointed to one of the maids, "Find out more ways in which we can get into Prince Ashen’s chambers." The lady stood up and bowed.

"Yes... My lady." At once she found her way out of the chambers, "Lumina... I won’t let this go easily. I need to find a way to prove that you poisoned the queen... I promise I will."

Hours passed and Prince Adam wasn’t back in the chambers. She was pissed at this, she needed his help, even though she was not sure if he would listen if she wanted to give it a try.

Still deep in her thoughts, the door creaked open, and she was too tired to respond.

"My lady..." she heard a familiar voice which she didn’t want to believe.

"Mia!" Rhynera turned sharply.

Mia stepped in and looked like a ghost of her former self. Pale, her lips bruised, her eyes red from crying. Her hands trembled as she reached for Rhynera, but her body swayed.

Rhynera rushed to her, catching her before she could fall.

"Mia... what happened to you?" Her voice cracked. "Who did this to you?" She was more than shocked she could recall that Adam had said he wanted to send her to learn all the etiquette.

Mia collapsed into her arms, sobbing. "They hurt me... they locked me away. I didn’t do anything wrong...I only asked when I could see you."

Rhynera held her tightly, her own hands shaking as she rocked her back and forth. "I am so sorry, I didn’t plan for you to get hurt. I trust them to teach you just etiquette

"I should have asked sooner... I should have known it’s a lie.." Mia sobbed harder.

"I thought you forgot me..." She mumbled.

"Never," Rhynera whispered fiercely.

"Never. I swear to you, Mia... I will make them pay. Every single one of them."

She lifted Mia’s face gently, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Thank you for staying alive...Thank you for trusting me.." Mia nodded her head.

"Someone out there!" Rhynera yelled out, and two of the ladies rushed inside bowing.

"Take her to the spring bathroom," the lady said, looking up in shock.

"My Lady... this is.."

"I said take her to the spring bathroom, henceforth she will be the head maid of these chambers."