Chapter 7 Friendship in Palace

EVELYN

The King left the chamber for his study, and I was free from the ordeal.

Instead of going to the kitchen as requested, I went straight to my bedroom, moving quickly to avoid alerting Mrs. Porter. If the head maid discovered I was planning to hide in my room rather than move on to my next task, I would be dead meat.

As I approached my bedroom, I noticed a figure lingering in the corridor. It was Elsa. The young maid stared at the floor, looking dejected.

I stopped and considered my next move for a moment, unsure of what to do.

After the encounter in the maid’s quarters, I had no idea why she was here. Our budding friendship was likely over. Like every friend I had tried to make in the palace, Elsa probably loathed me now.

Elsa heard my footsteps and looked up, her expression unreadable as she met my gaze. Once I stood before her, her soft pink lips drew into a thin line.

“We need to talk, Evelyn,” she said bluntly.

Against my better judgment, I decided to let her into my room.

I