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Kayla's POV

“Where did you go Kayla? And what the hell are you wearing?!” The King yelled in frustration.

I blinked, my heart racing. The maid’s outfit I had borrowed from Azel suddenly felt too tight.

“I— I just wanted to help. You know, do something useful…” My voice wavered, but I forced myself to keep talking, trying to sound casual, like this wasn’t a big deal.

He narrowed his eyes, stepping closer, towering over me. “Help?” His tone was laced with disbelief. “Is this your idea of helping, Kayla? Dressing up as a maid and sneaking around the palace after I’ve told you, I warned you, time and time again, to stay out of trouble?”

“I wasn’t sneaking around!” I shot back, but it sounded weak, even to me. I clenched my fists at my sides, trying to stay calm. “I just… I was curious to know how it was to be a maid.”

“Curious?” His voice rose, the frustration clear now. “Ignoring me? Going against my rules, you think this is a game?”

I opened my mouth to argue, to say something —anythin