Dependance

She was glad to have been born a commoner. The things she saw in her life as the royal family's servant...

The world of royalty and nobility was completely opposite to the image they tried to portray. She knew of the dark secrets. As much as she sympathised with the boy, there was not much she could do.

Cassian's body ached, each movement sending a sharp jolt of pain through him. But his mind was clear. He had survived worse, and he would survive this too. 

Lying in the quiet room, he thought about his mother's words. She had called him useless, a failure. But he knew better. He had chosen to defy her and refuse the engagement she had arranged, not out of rebellion but because of Adeline.

What was it about her that made him do it? If he agreed back then... She would have been engaged to him, but he refused. He could not bear the thought of her hating him.