JEALOUSY

Madam Grace's eyes blazed with resentment as she gazed at Sophia. What secrets had this girl uncovered to warrant the lord's favor? He was notorious for his indifference, yet he'd brought this human into the palace, shielding her from the harsh realities of their world.

A spark of jealousy ignited within Madam Grace. Why had the lord shown this girl such mercy? And what was the meaning behind his explicit orders to handle her with care?

"Sophia!" Madam Grace's voice cut through the air, her tone dripping with malice.

Sophia's eyes snapped towards Madam Grace, her heart skipping a beat. She hastened to obey, her senses on high alert.

"Follow Margret to the dining hall," Madam Grace instructed, her voice laced with disdain. She thrust a tray of steaming food into Sophia's hands, her fingers brushing against Sophia's skin.

Sophia's gaze flicked towards Margret, a slender girl with a tray of food balanced on her hip. Their eyes met, and Sophia sensed a flicker of curiosity, perhaps even friendship.

With a deep breath, Sophia followed Margret, her heart pounding in anticipation. What lay ahead in the dining hall?

As Sophia entered the dining hall, she was taken aback by the absence of her mysterious savior. Instead, she found herself face to face with a regal couple, their piercing gazes making her blood run cold. She was looking at them curiously, when she realized that Margret’s hair was down, she brought hers down immediately.

The lady, presumably the queen, spoke in a voice that sent shivers down Sophia's spine. "Looks like this one was recruited newly."

Margret jumped to her defense, her voice trembling. "Forgive her, Your Highness, she just resumed today."

The queen's expression turned glacial. "See that it doesn't happen again. Tell Mary to ensure our new recruit understands the protocol."

As they left the dining hall, Margret's fear was palpable. "Don't ever make that mistake again," she whispered urgently. "You could have gotten us killed."

Sophia's heart racing, she apologized profusely. "I'm very sorry."

Margret's grip on her arm tightened. "The queen and king are not to be trifled with. One misstep, and we're doomed."

As they made their way back to the kitchen, Sophia's mind seethed with questions. Where was her enigmatic savior? Would she ever see him again?

Their third trip to the dining hall brought a surprise. As Sophia served the food, the queen's voice cut through the air. "Dimitri!"

A timid-looking man scurried forward, his eyes downcast. "Yes, Your Majesty?"

The queen's gaze narrowed. "Why has the Prince not joined us for dinner?"

Dimitri's voice trembled. "His Majesty says he has pressing matters to attend to and won't be joining you for dinner."

The queen's expression turned icy. "Very well, then."

As Dimitri beat a hasty retreat, Sophia's curiosity got the better of her. Who was this Prince, and what was his connection to her mysterious savior?

At exactly Nine o’clock, all the servants retired to the servants quarters . Sophia was assigned to another room , a room completely different from the one she woke up in . Thankfully, her roommate was Margret .

Settled down and ready to go to bed , they heard a knock on the door , it was Madam Grace “ Be sure to get a goodnight rest, work starts by six am tomorrow “

“ Alright ma’am the both girls replied in unison .

When she closed the door behind her , Sophia couldn’t help but ask “ Is She always this bossy ?”

“ She is “ Margret whispered “ Even more since you arrived “

“ What does my arrival have to do with it ?”

“ It is said that she beds the Prince”

“What ???”Sophia asked Shocked

“ Their just rumors “

“ But what do I have to do with this ?”

“ The Prince brought you back injured , asked her to take care of it, as if that wasn’t enough, he made you sleep in his Chambers. And trust me , your the first person he had ever taken there ,let’s say it’s Jealousy “

“ And this Prince Sophia asked curiously “Where is he ?” I haven’t met him since I regained my consciousness “

"Trust me, Sophia, it's better you don't know about his whereabouts," Margaret whispered, her voice laced with a warning. "The Prince is a ruthless one, with a reputation for being merciless. He's a master of manipulation, and his gaze can freeze your blood. Keep your distance, Sophia, for your own sake."

Sophia's eyes widened, her heart racing with anticipation. "Thank you for the warning, Margaret."

Margaret's expression softened, her voice taking on a gentle tone. "I like you, Sophia, and I want you to stay safe here. Life in the palace can be treacherous, but if you're careful, you might just survive. Avoid the royals, especially the Prince. He's not to be trifled with."

With a final glance, Margaret slipped into her bed, her movements fluid and silent. "Goodnight, Sophia. May tomorrow bring us both fortune and favor."

Sophia's mind seethed with restless energy as she lay on the creaky bed, Margaret's ominous words echoing in her thoughts. The soft snores of her roommate seemed to mock her, a cruel reminder of Sophia's own sleepless nights.

Insomnia had been her constant companion since childhood, a relentless shadow that haunted her every waking moment. As she tossed and turned, the darkness seemed to close in, her thoughts tangling into a maddening web of anxiety.

The Prince's enigmatic face swirled in her mind, his piercing gaze igniting a spark of forbidden fascination within her. Sophia's heart quickened, her breath catching in her throat as she felt an inexplicable pull towards the mysterious royal.

Sophia groggily opened her eyes to the ear-piercing morning bell. "Damn it," she muttered under her breath, her insomnia-plagued brain protesting the cruel awakening.

Margaret, on the other hand, slept like the dead, her peaceful slumber a cruel mockery to Sophia's sleep-deprived state. Sophia's eyes narrowed as she approached Margaret's bed. "Rise and shine, Margaret. It's morning already."

Margaret merely groaned, her eyes fluttering open before shutting again. Sophia's patience wore thin. "Come on, Margaret. You're the one who said we have a long day ahead. Don't make me drag you out of bed."

With a final hiss of annoyance, Margaret sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Alright, alright. I'm up."

The two girls trudged outside to fetch water for their bath, the chilly morning air a rude awakening. After they were both washed and dressed up, they made their way towards the kitchen .