All Chapters of Queen of the iron throne : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

The maids' hall is buzzing with an odd noise. Girls jump excitedly in and out of each other's rooms while giggling and chatting. This isn't the only place in the kingdom where I've seen this vibe, though. This morning, I even detected a similar buzz in the air at breakfast. I guess I can understand why. Today is the opening round of the tournament and the first day of my first week as a maid. Feeling rejuvenated from my morning shower, I walk along the hallways wrapped in a white towel and can't help but let my thoughts wander. I've focused more on Jade and Althea throughout the training sessions than I have on Gertrude. Even though I support Jade, I have no doubt that Althea will easily defeat any opponent in her match. Throughout history, Althea has outperformed Jade in strength and heart of heart. The smile she shot me the next day informed me nothing had changed at all, contrary to my hopes that perhaps her standing up to Gertrude had signaled a change in her heart. I locate my

With a horrible crunch, yet Bronte, maybe from adrenaline or fright, manages to knock Cynthia off balance and bite her hard in the flank; Cynthia yells and takes another swing, knocking them both to the pit's dirt floor. It's nasty and gory, and eventually Bronte loses too much blood from her neck wound and falls to the ground, saying," I give up! She lets out a feeble rasp before two doctors charge into the arena and drive numerous moonstone splinters into the corpse of the Ounsli girl. Cynthia spins around, grinning covered in blood, and I start to feel a little queasy as the crowd erupted in applause, declaring the victor of round one to be in stone.The next two girls are announced, but I'm not really paying attention to them; my eyes are locked on the Ounsli girl, her chest heaving as she struggles for air, and I find myself touching my own neck with a shaking hand—that could have easily been me. Cynthia retreats back under the arch, while Bronte is taken away on a stretcher.The

I take a bite out of my chicken. Since we were both released from the safe room two days ago by two guards who just so happened to be inspecting every safe room, Alex and I have not spoken. However, I haven't had a conversation with anyone I was in that room with. Kairi appears to have stayed away from any keeping in touch with everyone she was with that evening, and Prince Kohl is being... Okay, so... Kohler, Prince.I glanced in the direction of the front table. The Ladies of Queenstrial eat dinner with the Prince Kohl and his parents in their ornate chairs. The Ounsli girl, Bronte, is still here, albeit she is severely cut and bruised from her altercation with the Lunous girl. The Queenstrials' first round was declared void due to the assaults, and it was rescheduled for tomorrow. I believe the monarch is making a determined step to show the attackers, whoever they may be, that the spirit of Gahndor endures. However, I doubt they'll be able to maintain that pretense for very long,

Prince Kohl looks at me like he's angry. I'm sure he thinks I'm going to piss now. "Did you not see the burns on her face? Of course there was boiling water in that godsdamned pitcher, what else could it have been?"I keep quiet. Prince Kohl must have seen the burns as well, not because of his elevated voice. Additionally, I am certain that the pitcher did not contain any hot water.But before I can consider it further, Prince Kohl lets out a sigh. Then he motions for me to follow as he passes by. "Come with me.""Where?""To my quarters. You're part of my council now, so it's time I introduce you to the others."I flinch. "I thought I was just going to be your maid?""No," he answers. He's quiet for a short while. He continues, "You will be my spy from now on," but I can't see his faceI stare at Kohl in shock. I'm positive that I misheard. "Pardon?" He looks at me slantwise. "You're going to be my spy, I declared. Unless, naturally, you'd prefer to be a maid.I give a headshake. "No

My lungs are straining as I haul my bag up another flight of steps, and I moan.I remind myself as I look up at the granite tile peak, only a few more. With each slow breath, I curse Kohl, and when at last I reach the top, it takes everything I have not to fall into the wall. His new room, which is situated just beneath the spiral staircase that leads to his room in the spire, was what he had ordered for me. I had disagreed with him about this, partly because I hadn't wanted to leave Macy behind and partly because moving seemed like a drag after settling in. But there was no disputing with the prince. I had thus made both of us feel better by handing Macy a copy of my key, which Kohl had created at my request, following an incredibly emotional farewell with her. After telling her that she was welcome to stop by at any time, I put my whole wardrobe into a suitcase and left.But I'm not concerned about Macy. Following the event, she had been fired by Gertrude and was now working in the