CHAPTER FOUR : secret’s in the morning

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The pale light of dawn filtered through the heavy drapes, bathing the bedchamber in a muted glow. Emilia stirred, her hazel eyes fluttering open. For a brief moment, she forgot where she was. The grand canopy bed, the gilded furniture, the lingering scent of roses—it all felt foreign. Then, like a tidal wave, the events of the previous day came crashing back: the wedding, the council, the long and tense silence of the night.

The space beside her was empty, the sheets cold. Kael had already left, though she couldn’t say she was surprised. She hadn’t expected him to linger—not after the strained distance they had maintained.

Emilia sighed, sitting up and pulling the blankets around her shoulders. The room was silent except for the faint crackle of the dying fire in the hearth. She glanced toward the door, her nerves already prickling at the thought of what lay ahead. This was her life now—a series of unknowns in a foreign castle surrounded by strangers.

A soft knock at the door broke her thoughts.

“Enter,” she called, her voice still rough from sleep.

The door opened, and three women entered, their movements graceful and deliberate. They wore matching uniforms of deep blue and silver, the colors of Arindale, and curtsied in unison.

“Good morning, Your Highness,” said the eldest among them, a woman with dark hair streaked with gray. Her demeanor was warm but professional. “I am Matron Isla, head of your household staff. These are your maids, Betty and Faye. We are here to assist you.”

Emilia offered a polite smile, though she felt a pang of unease. Back home, she had known every servant by name, their lives intertwined with her own. Here, everything was unfamiliar.

“Thank you,” she said, her voice steady despite her unease. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Betty, the younger of the two maids, stepped forward shyly. She had strawberry-blonde hair tied into a neat braid, her green eyes bright but hesitant. Faye, taller and more self-assured, gave Emilia a reassuring smile.

The women moved efficiently, helping Emilia out of her nightgown and into a pale lavender dress adorned with delicate silver embroidery. Betty’s hands trembled slightly as she fastened the clasps at Emilia’s back, and Emilia couldn’t help but notice her nervousness.

“Relax, Betty,” she said gently. “You’re doing well.”

Betty blushed, nodding quickly. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

Once she was dressed, Matron Isla gestured to a silver circlet resting on a velvet pillow. “Shall I place your coronet, Your Highness?”

Emilia hesitated, the sight of the intricate piece making her stomach twist. It was beautiful, but it felt like another layer of distance between herself and her old life. “No,” she said softly. “Not today.”

Isla nodded without comment, and they moved to escort her from the room.

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The crisp morning air nipped at Emilia’s cheeks as she stepped into the castle courtyard. A small group of guards stood waiting, their polished armor gleaming in the sunlight. Emilia straightened her posture, hoping to project confidence she didn’t feel.

“This is your personal guard, Your Highness,” Isla said as they approached. “They will accompany you wherever you go within the kingdom.”

One man stepped forward, his presence commanding. He was tall and broad-shouldered, his sandy-blond hair cropped close to his head. His face was serious, his steel-blue eyes sharp and assessing.

“Your Highness,” he said, bowing deeply. “I am Erend, your personal knight and the leader of your guard. It is my honor to serve and protect you.”

Emilia met his gaze, noting the sincerity in his words. “Thank you, Sir Erend,” she said, her voice steady. “I look forward to working with you.”

The faintest flicker of surprise crossed his face at her choice of words, but he quickly masked it, nodding in acknowledgment.

As the formalities continued, Emilia couldn’t help but notice Betty standing off to the side, her gaze darting nervously toward Erend. It wasn’t just the anxious energy that caught Emilia’s attention—it was the way Erend occasionally glanced at Betty, his expression softening for the briefest of moments.

When the introductions concluded, Emilia excused herself, gesturing for Betty to follow her into the gardens. The lush greenery and vibrant blooms were a welcome reprieve from the stone walls of the castle, but Betty seemed uneasy, her hands clasped tightly in front of her.

“Betty,” Emilia began, stopping beneath a trellis covered in climbing roses. “You’ve been very quiet this morning. Is something troubling you?”

Betty’s eyes widened, and she shook her head quickly. “N-no, Your Highness. Everything is fine.”

Emilia tilted her head, her hazel eyes narrowing slightly. “I don’t believe that. If something is wrong, you can tell me.”

The young maid hesitated, her face turning crimson. Finally, she exhaled, her shoulders slumping. “It’s Sir Erend,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Emilia’s eyebrows lifted. “Erend? What about him?”

Betty wrung her hands, her eyes darting to the garden path as if fearing someone might overhear. “He and I... we’ve been seeing each other in secret for over a year,” she confessed. “But it’s against the rules for a knight and a maid to—” She broke off, her voice trembling.

Emilia’s heart softened. She knew all too well the weight of rules and expectations, the way they stifled even the smallest desires.

“You’re worried someone will find out,” Emilia said gently.

Betty nodded, her green eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “If anyone learns of it, we’ll both be dismissed. Or worse.”

For a moment, Emilia said nothing, considering the young woman before her. Betty was little older than herself, and the fear etched on her face was painfully familiar.

“Betty,” Emilia said softly, reaching out to place a hand on the maid’s shoulder. “Your secret is safe with me.”

The relief that washed over Betty was immediate. Her lips parted in surprise, and she blinked rapidly as if she couldn’t quite believe what she had heard. “Truly, Your Highness? You won’t tell anyone?”

“I promise,” Emilia said firmly. “And if anyone questions you, I’ll handle it. You have my word.”

Betty’s eyes filled with tears, and she bowed her head. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “Thank you so much.”

Emilia smiled faintly. “There’s no need to thank me. But I ask one thing in return.”

Betty straightened, her expression wary.

“Be careful,” Emilia said simply. “Both of you. The castle is full of watchful eyes, and not everyone will be as understanding.”

Betty nodded fervently, her relief turning into determination. “We will, Your Highness. I swear it.”

As they made their way back to the castle, Emilia couldn’t help but feel a flicker of hope. In the vast and unfamiliar world of Arindale, perhaps she had found an ally.