Sheila wandered through the courtyard.
Eventually, she reached the fountain and sat on the stone pavement beside it.
She stared into the water at her reflection.
She looked pale.
Her eyes seemed darker than before, weighed down by exhaustion.
I seriously need a break, she thought.
She scooped up a handful of water and splashed her face.
Ripples spread across the fountain, scattering her reflection.
As she wiped the water from her eyes, something felt wrong.
Her reflection wasn't moving.
It simply stared back at her.
She frowned.
Then, before her eyes, the reflection slowly changed.
Her face became Belinda's.
Sheila gasped and stumbled backward.
She collided with someone standing behind her.
Startled, she spun around.
Only to find herself face-to-face with Delvin.
Relief washed over her.
Then she remembered she had abandoned her post.
She immediately lowered her gaze.
"What are you doing here?" she wondered silently.
"I couldn't sleep," Delvin said. "I noticed when you left."
He walked toward the fountain and glanced at the water.
The surface was still slightly disturbed.
"What did you see?"
"Nothing."
Delvin sighed.
"I didn't expect you to tell me anyway."
He folded his arms.
"There will be a ceremony for you during my sister's coronation. The kingdom's Grand Priestess must be formally introduced to the people."
Sheila looked at him.
Delvin studied her for a moment.
"Sometimes I wonder," he said quietly, "how that beast always manages to claim the most beautiful things."
She blinked.
"What did you just say?"
Delvin shrugged.
"Nothing you didn't hear."
Then he yawned.
"Now escort me back to my room. I'm exhausted."
He turned toward the castle.
Sheila rolled her eyes and followed.
The following morning, Belinda was noticeably absent from breakfast.
As a result, Stel was asked to occupy the seat to Delvin's left.
As the meal began, Delvin motioned toward the chair beside Stel.
"You should sit."
Sheila raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
"You will soon be recognized as a member of the Divine Nobility. You may as well become accustomed to dining at the royal table."
Sheila shot him a sharp look.
"I was a princess long before I came here."
She sat down.
"A Crown Princess, in fact. If anyone here has dined with higher nobility, it would be me."
Silence.
The room froze.
Several maids lowered their heads.
Guards instinctively rested their hands on their swords.
The Head Servant nearly collapsed onto the floor.
Delvin simply took another bite of food.
Then he nodded.
"My apologies for my ignorance, Your Highness."
Every eye in the room shifted toward Sheila.
Whispers immediately spread among the servants.
Within minutes, rumors had reached the upper floors of the palace.
Toward the end of the meal, the doors burst open.
Belinda marched into the dining hall looking thoroughly offended.
Her eyes immediately found Sheila and Stel sitting in seats normally reserved for members of the royal family.
She cleared her throat loudly.
Nobody reacted.
Belinda walked up to Delvin.
"I came for breakfast."
Delvin nodded.
"But my seat was occupied."
He glanced up briefly.
"Sorry about that."
Belinda waited.
"You'll have to sit beside Dolores."
The smile vanished from her face.
After a long pause, she reluctantly took the offered seat.
The moment she sat down, Dolores stood.
"I am finished, Brother."
She placed a hand on Delvin's shoulder.
"There is still much to prepare before my coronation."
Then she left.
Stel quickly finished eating, bowed politely, and hurried after her.
The second the chair became vacant, Belinda moved to claim it.
Her triumph lasted exactly three seconds.
Delvin slammed his fork onto the table.
The entire surface rattled.
"Who told you that you could sit there?"
Belinda stared at him.
"I am your wife. I should be seated closest to you."
A knife flashed through the air.
It buried itself in the wall behind her.
A single strand of hair drifted to the floor.
The room held its breath.
Delvin calmly stood.
"This meal is over."
Without another word, he walked out.
Sheila quickly rose to follow him.
"Remember, slut."
Belinda's voice stopped her.
"He is my husband."
Sheila turned.
A small laugh escaped her.
"He obviously doesn't like you very much."
Then she walked away.
Delvin entered his chambers and immediately pulled a portrait from beneath his pillow.
The painting depicted a woman seated at a royal dining table.
Specifically, in the very seat Dolores had occupied that morning.
He smiled softly and brushed a finger across the image.
Sheila entered just in time to see it.
She wisely chose not to ask questions.
Instead, she sat by the window.
After several moments, Delvin spoke.
"I married Belinda because I wanted to please my father."
Sheila listened quietly.
"I never loved her."
He set the portrait aside.
"At the time, I had little hope of ever marrying someone I truly admired. I was the youngest of twelve princes."
A bitter smile crossed his face.
"Belinda is the daughter of a duke. I married her under an altered identity. Even after our wedding, she continued living with her father."
Sheila adjusted herself in her chair.
So she never really loved him either.
"Why are you telling me all this?" she asked.
Delvin looked directly at her.
"Because I've finally met a woman I like."
He paused.
"And I have absolutely no idea how to tell her."
Meanwhile, Belinda stormed into her chambers.
She dismissed every maid.
Once alone, she stood before her mirror.
As she brushed her fingers through her hair, her reflection twisted.
For a moment, a monstrous face stared back at her.
Belinda lifted her chin.
The reflection immediately returned to normal.
"I've come too far to back down now."
She practiced a pitiful expression.
"I'll apologize."
She smiled sweetly.
"I'll win his heart."
She picked up a blue fan from the table.
For a brief moment, eerie light pulsed from within it.
Then the glow vanished.
Belinda left the room.
Back in Delvin's chambers, Sheila considered his dilemma.
"You could send her gifts."
Delvin shook his head.
"Too obvious."
"A letter?"
"Worse."
"A private meal?"
"That would start a political scandal."
She frowned.
"There has to be another way."
After a moment, she looked up.
"Who is this woman anyway?"
Delvin smiled.
"Funny you should ask."
He stepped closer.
"Because I'm looking at her right now."
Sheila laughed.
"You? Struggling to court someone?"
She shook her head.
"You're quite the sweet talker."
She turned to leave.
Suddenly, Delvin caught her wrist.
Before she could react, he pulled her toward him and kissed her.
Sheila froze.
Then immediately began struggling.
The harder she fought, the tighter his hold became.
At that exact moment, the door opened.
Belinda stepped inside.
The fan slipped from her fingers.
It struck the floor with a loud crack.
Delvin released Sheila.
Both turned toward the doorway.
Belinda's face twisted with fury.
She charged toward Sheila.
Delvin stepped between them.
"I am king."
His voice was cold.
"I can do as I please."
He pulled Sheila to his side.
Belinda laughed bitterly.
"So it's true."
Her eyes narrowed.
"This girl is Divine Nobility now?"
Delvin's expression darkened.
Belinda looked directly at Sheila.
"You're supposed to remain pure."
Her voice dripped with venom.
"And yet here you are kissing another woman's husband."
She grabbed Sheila by the hair and yanked violently.
Servants immediately rushed into the room.
The commotion had attracted attention.
Including Dolores.
The King Dowager entered with her usual calm composure.
With a simple gesture, Belinda was thrown backward.
She crashed across the room.
Dolores didn't even look winded.
"Like my brother said," she replied calmly, "he is king."
She approached Sheila and gently inspected her hair.
Satisfied that no damage had been done, she turned toward Belinda.
"Do you truly think our god would be pleased if you harmed his chosen bride?"
Belinda remained silent.
Dolores smiled.
"If he were displeased, he might pluck out your eyes and separate your head from your shoulders."
The room became deathly quiet.
"For your own sake, keep your distance."
Dolores turned and walked toward the door.
The servants immediately bowed.
One by one, they returned to their duties.
Belinda glared at everyone present before storming out.
The moment she left, Sheila rounded on Delvin.
"How dare you!"
She began pounding her fists against his chest.
Delvin simply laughed.
Then a familiar growl echoed from above.
The laughter died instantly.
Both of them slowly looked up.
And found themselves staring directly into a nightmare.