Chapter 21

Rae

Landon’s voice kept replaying in my head, over and over again, like a haunting melody I couldn't escape.

A day has passed since I discovered the truth about Landon, and I haven’t told Von anything.

The minute I realized that Von’s death would mean my freedom a part of me kept fighting the urge to keep this information to myself.

Von had done nothing but make my life miserable. He had threatened me, hurt me, and controlled me in ways I resented. It would be nice to get rid of him, to watch him take his last breath.

But despite my joy, I still felt like keeping this information to myself was a terrible idea.

I groaned. I was at a crossroads not knowing what to do next.

The sound of Anna’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "You’ve been awfully quiet since you walked in here. Is everything alright?"

I blinked, realizing I had wandered into the kitchen without even thinking. The smell of fresh bread and simmering stew filled the air, but I barely noticed.

Anna lowered her voice as a few maids passed by, their chatter filling the space. "Did Von try to make advances on you?"

I frowned. "No."

Her brows knitted together. "Then what’s wrong?"

I hesitated. How was I supposed to explain this? I chewed on my lip before finally speaking. "What do you do when you find out something terrible is about to happen to someone you hate? Someone who has done bad things to you? Do you prevent it? Do you tell them? Or do you—"

Anna didn’t even let me finish. "In this case, telling the person doesn’t seem bad," she said simply. "Just because someone is bad doesn’t mean you have to act the same way. If you can stop that bad thing from happening, you should."

I sighed, looking away. I didn’t say anything else, but her words lingered in my mind.

“Rae, is there something going on that you’re not telling me?” Anna’s voice picked up. I didn’t know if I should tell her about the whole Von situation.

“Rae!” Anna called again, and I looked at her.

“It’s nothing.” I lied and from the look on Anna’s face. It was clear she wasn’t buying my lies.

“I haven’t known you for a long time Rae, but from the little time I have spent with you I know when you’re lying and when you’re not.”

“What if your perception is wrong?” I questioned. “What if I’m trying to make you think I’m lying when I'm not.”

“Now, you’re just using your words to mess with me.” The look on her face changed and I noticed her brows furrow.

Her expression made me chuckle. Anna didn’t find my gesture funny. She looked at me with a stern expression.

“What’s funny?” She questioned, with her hands moving against the plates in the sink.

“The look on your face after I said those words is hilarious.” I pointed out.

She shook her head. “You are taking my concern for granted Rae.”

I moved closer to her placing my hands on my shoulder. “I’m sorry Your Majesty.”

I pulled my hand away and did a little bow. Anna shook her head once again.

“Now, you’re taunting me.” She declared.

“No, I’m not,” I said sharply. “You know you should be happy to have a friend that worships you, Anna.”

“Well, if that friend tells me what’s bothering her maybe I could be happier.”

“You know sometimes I wonder how your life would be without me,” I said ignoring her words.

“Stop trying to ignore my words and tell me what’s wrong with you.”

“I would when you admit that your life would have been boring, and lonely without me and you would’ve had to deal with the queen of witches—“ I leaned forward and whispered gently. “the head maid.”

Anna erupted into laughter, her voice echoing off the kitchen walls. Her laughter continued with her bright eyes lightening up. I was glad that her focus on me seemed to have diverted.

“She actually acts like the queen of witches,” Anna said in between laughs. “With her twitching eyes and her dark dress.”

Her words made me burst out in laughter. The both of us kept on laughing until tears began to flow from our eyes. The minute we stopped, Anna’s face grew serious and I feared she was about to ask me more questions.

“So tell me what’s bothering you?” She said leaning against the wall.

“What a way to ruin our fun moment.” I cooed.

“I’m only being a concerned friend.” She pointed out, and I sighed.

“I’m waiting, Rae.” Her voice picked up after I didn’t say anything.

“Rae…” she dragged on and could feel the impatience in her voice.

I cleared my throat as I thought of what to say. The minute an idea popped into my head, I adjusted myself staring into Anna’s eyes.

Before I could speak up, the head maid entered the kitchen, her sharp gaze scanning the room.

“The queen of witches has arrived,” I muttered loud enough for Anna to hear.

The tension brewing between seconds ago disappeared as we both stifled our laughter.

The head maid’s lips pressed into a thin line as she turned to Anna. "You’re needed in the upstairs chambers."

Anna nodded, giving me a small smile before leaving.

I could feel the head maid’s eyes on me, filled with silent disdain. I knew why. Von had made it clear to everyone—I was not to serve anyone but him. And everyone knew what he meant by ‘serve.’

The other maids whispered when they thought I wasn’t listening. They cast me dirty looks whenever I passed. They saw me as something less than them, even though I had never chosen this.

Feeling suffocated under the head maid’s glare, I turned and left the kitchen. My feet carried me through the hallway, my mind still tangled with thoughts.

Then, as if the universe had made the choice for me, I saw Von.

He was walking toward me, with a stern expression on his face. The sight of him made my stomach twist—not with fear, not with hatred, but with something else I didn’t want to name.

This was my moment.

"Von!" I called out, my voice firmer than I expected.

He stopped, turning his sharp gaze on me. "What?"

I swallowed, my heartbeat drumming in my ears. "I have something important to tell you."