FOLDED NOTES

I returned to my duties after an eventful visit to the king's chamber, my heart still fluttering with excitement.

The overwhelming urge to share everything bubbled within me, yet I knew that I'd have to confine my thoughts to the pages of my diary later on.

I picked up a brush, the bristles scraping against the wall as I swept away the cobwebs and dust .

A handful of others were engaged in the same task, diligently brushing away layers of dust that had settled like memories in the castle.

As I lost myself in my work, the sudden clank of approaching shoes pierced the tranquility, jolting me from my thoughts.

The unmistakable scent of wren, sharp and authoritative, filled the air. She must have come to question my tardiness and deliver the inevitable news that my pay would be docked this week.

"Hazel," she called, her voice laced with sternness, and I halted my brush, my heart quickening as I turned to face her, my gaze lowered.

"Yes, Madame?" I responded, each word heavy with apprehension.

"Did you and Emily have a fight? Why did she suddenly leave?" Wren inquired, her brow furrowed in curiosity.

My heart sank as confusion washed over me. Emily had left? Why would she flee without a word?

The thought of her abandoning the life we built in this castle gnawed at me.

Had she been unable to bear the shame of her actions?

Surely, it was unreal; our wages here far surpassed what we could earn outside. It distressed me, knowing that her departure might stem from my own situation—if I had only kept my connection with the king a secret, perhaps she could have remained even if it meant indulging in her fantasies about him.

"I have no idea, Madame," I replied, my voice steady despite the tempest of emotions swirling within me.

Silence enveloped us, thick and uneasy, before Wren finally spoke again. "As of now, there's no one available to share your room, so you'll have to stay alone." Her tone was final.

"I understand, Madame," I answered, a heavy sense of resignation swelling within me.

As she turned and strode off, head held high, I straightened my spine and watched her retreating figure, my mind spinning with thoughts of Emily's departure.

She could have at least given me a reason, a farewell, anything.

Emily had been my only friend in this vast and lonely castle, and her absence would surely leave an indelible mark on my heart. I felt anger simmering beneath the surface, but it was paired with a profound sadness; I didn't want to lose her, the one person who had infused my days with laughter and joy.

With a heavy sigh, I resumed my task, brushing the wall until the last cobweb surrendered to my efforts.

As I navigated the corridors, something caught my eye—a piece of paper fluttering on the balcony, adorned with a delicate rose. Intrigued, I approached, my curiosity piqued, and gently opened the letter.

The handwriting was exquisite, each stroke fluid and graceful, clearly the work of someone educated and refined. The words flowed elegantly across the page.

"Would you like to meet later in the evening? Let's go for a walk," I read, my brow furrowing in contemplation. Who could have left this? My eyes drifted to the rose, sparkling like a jewel in the soft light.

"You asked me to prove myself, Hazel. So, give me a chance. The rose signifies my interest in you," I continued, my cheeks warming as I read the message.

My heart raced as my gaze fell to the signature at the bottom—Kian. The king's name pulsed in my mind like a heartbeat.

I glanced around. Was he nearby, watching me?

I searched the shadows and corners but found nothing, only silence enveloping me like a shroud. I tucked the letter into my skirt pocket, a rush of exhilaration coursing through me, uncertain yet intrigued about what the evening would hold.

The rose was striking, its vibrant red and alluring fragrance tempting me to keep it close. I tucked it into my braid, allowing the delicate petals to brush against my hair, and turned to leave.

Upon my return to the room, Wren's words rang true—Emily's absence was stark and palpable. The bed beside mine lay empty, devoid of any trace of her presence, save for the faintest hint of her scent.

A deep ache settled in my heart as I gazed around the space we once shared, each corner echoing with memories of laughter and tears.

But amidst the despair, something caught my attention—a folded note resting on her empty bed. Hope fluttered within me as I stepped closer, relieved that she hadn't vanished without leaving some form of explanation.

"Hi there, Hazel. I know you were probably wondering why I suddenly left. I don't know if you're glad or upset about it, but I want you to know that I am truly sorry for everything that has happened. I regret allowing jealousy to consume me, turning me into someone I cannot stand. I need to leave, for my own well-being and to prevent further damage to us. You accepted me as your friend while I let the king's presence come between us, sullying what we had. I need this time away to collect my thoughts, and I don't know when or if I'll be able to return..."

Her words hung in the air as I read them, each line a poignant reminder of the friendship we had shared and lost, leaving me with a bittersweet concoction of emotions.

"I had written to Wren, fabricating an excuse for my leave: my mother was ill, and I needed to visit her. The lie weighed heavily on my conscience, as the truth was that I simply needed to escape. I felt a wave of guilt wash over me for abandoning our friendship and sullying our bond. You deserve a better friend than me. I hope you find someone worthy"

As I turned my gaze to the bed, my eyes landed on a small, glimmering bead nestled among the sheets. It was the friendship bead Emily and I had crafted during our early days in the castle, a bright token of the promise we once made to never leave or betray each other.

Memories flooded my mind, and tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. I quickly blinked them away, my heart heavy as I removed the bead from my wrist, the cool surface a stark reminder of our fractured bond.

"Is this how it ends? You don't want to be friends with me again?" I screamed into the void, my voice cracking under the weight of despair.

"I hate you, Emily! I hate you!" Burying my face in the crook of my knees, I sobbed, feeling a wave of anguish consume me. When I finally lifted my head, the world felt dull and colorless, a reflection of the pain in my heart.

I couldn't put into words just how deep my hurt was. It gnawed at me, making me wonder—if Kian had never entered the picture, would things have been different? Perhaps Emily would still be here with me, her smile brightening my days, instead of the chasm of loneliness that now surrounded me.

****

Kian sat in his chamber, his eyes fixed intently on the door. Anticipating her arrival. Time stretched out, thick with unanswered questions.

What if she had changed her mind? What if he had moved too quickly, sending her heart racing away from him? He recalled the joy he felt when she wore the delicate flower he had given her, tucking it into her hair.

Just as he sank deeper into his thoughts, a sharp knock on the door shifted his focus.

"Come in," Kian commanded. His anticipation faded quickly when he inhaled the scent of a man approaching—Lyrien.

"Your Majesty," Lyrien greeted, bowing his head in respect. "As you requested, we've dispatched a spy—a clever omega who will seamlessly blend into their group. We're close to uncovering the identity of the rebel leader," he reported, his voice steady yet infused with urgency.

"Excellent," Kian replied, his tone clipped and focused. Once Lyrien finished his briefing, he took his leave, and Kian leaned back in his chair, a fierce determination igniting within him. The Libertas were sworn to protect the interests of omegas, so it only made sense to send in one of their own to gather intelligence. If he could capture the leader of this rebel faction, they would soon regret threatening him. Regardless of who they were, Kian had already decreed their fate—execution awaited anyone bold enough to oppose him.