That night Zenas made some space on the bed for Cleopoda to sleep. At first, she had been reluctant and had resisted violently until he assured her he would not harm, even then she had taken just a little space for herself and had slept as if expecting an attack. By the next morning, she was already awake and was cleaning up the room. "For royalty, you surprise me with your simpleness," Zenas commented. She smiled sadly. "Being royalty is not luxury...not for me. I am not worthy of bearing the title of royalty." Zenas pulled himself from the bed to assist her with cleaning the dishes from the last night. He watched her work, her movements were slow but the way she moved was a testament to the fact that she was already used to cleaning up after herself. "I hear you hated by the royal house, an abomination and a curse. Why is that?" Cleopoda shrugged. "Some said I am a product of a sin my father committed against the gods, some say my birth moth
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