A few days passed swiftly. With Lily's help, Eveline adapted to palace life, learning its rules and trying to maintain a low profile. While the other ladies-in-waiting spent their days attending balls and social gatherings, Eveline was assigned the more demanding duties, overseeing the queen's daily necessities, from morning preparations to evening routines.
"Lady Eveline, why don't you complain to Her Majesty?" Lily said one afternoon, clearly upset. "The other ladies leave all the hard work to you. It isn't fair."
Eveline trimmed the garden absentmindly, it had been days since she had last seen him, and for reason she wanted to see him.
"My lady?" Lily tugged at her sleeve. "You weren't listening."
"Oh, sorry," Eveline said, blinking. "You were saying something?"
"I was saying you should tell the queen how they treat you," Lily repeated. "They're probably jealous of your beauty."
A younger maid nearby nodded eagerly in agreement.
"You're quite talkative, I wonder why you haven't gotten into trouble " Eveline said flatly, already turning away. "And don't worry about me. I don't complain, and you shouldn't, either."
She rose and walked into the corridor.
Ahead, two men of clear royal standing were deep in conversation. Eveline slowed, narrowing her eyes. She faintly caught a mention of the Second Prince, but before she could draw closer, another man intervened, steering one of them away.
"Who was that?" Evelyn asked.
"That's Master Lucas," Lily said. "The king's most trusted subordinate. And the man with him was likely a council member, though I can't remember which one."
"Don't strain yourself," Eveline replied coolly. "we'll see them again."
They continued down the hall, until a familiar figure passed by.
"Chloe?" Eveline called.
The girl stopped and turned.
Chloe had only made brief appearances at court events and hadn't realized Eveline's new status. She had kept herself hidden these past days, avoiding Anthony. She turned to the familiar voice, her face lit up "the queen graces us with her presence," she bowed slightly with a smile tugging her lips as she hugs Eveline
"It's good to see you," Chloe said softly.
Eveline hugged her briefly before pulling away, then glanced at Chloe's plain attire. "Do you work here now? What happened at the Crimson Lantern? Madam Rubine doesn't let go easily."
Chloe's mind betrayed her.
She remembered being cornered, pressed against cold stone, a man's breath heavy with intent, until Anthony arrived, guards at his side, fury sharp in his eyes. He had driven the man away without hesitation.
At the time, she had been relieved. Grateful, even.
But after he brought her to the palace, everything changed.
"I was bought," Chloe said quietly. "By a royal."
Shock flickered across Eveline 's face, just for a moment, before her expression hardened again.
"I see," she said. "Then I wish you well."
They walked together in silence.
Chloe didn't smile again until Eveline was gone.
When Chloe had first arrived at the brothel, nearly everyone had admired her beauty. Admiration, however, had quickly turned cruel. The first night felt like hell. As she walked around, she received countless stares from men, some groped her as she walked.
She remembered the first time someone went too far and tried to force himself on her, and how Eveline had stepped in without hesitation, smashing a jar against the man's head and pulling her free.
"You're really stupid," Eveline had said afterward, blunt as ever. "They know that you are afraid, that's why they target you. Men love feisty women."
"Be something they admire, but never something they can touch."
That lesson had kept Chloe alive for a time. But Madam Rubine hadn't cared. She had sold her anyway.
Chloe forced the memories away and returned to her duties.
Her eyes lingered briefly on Eveline's retreating figure… before she turned back to work.
Elsewhere in the palace, Lucas dragged Master Brigham into a secluded chamber and shut the door behind them.
"Are you trying to implicate me in treason?" Lucas demanded coldly.