A Boring Day? No!

***

Chapter 37

~Katrina~

The dining hall was silent—so quiet I could hear my own heartbeat.

Everyone sat stiff, their faces tense. Fear filled the air. The king's temper was rare but unforgettable. And now, he was furious.

"None of you respect me anymore," his voice thundered, shaking the room.

I lowered my gaze. Even I was starting to feel afraid. Maybe coming here was a mistake.

"You forget that I am your king first—before your brother, your cousin, or your husband." His voice was sharp, cutting through the silence like a blade.

He turned and strode toward the door. "I wanted us to have a moment as a family, but I was wrong."

No one dared to respond. Even Queen Fortuna, who usually had something to say, sat frozen. She started this mess, yet now she was silent.

"Fortuna," the king called, his piercing gaze locking on her. "You're upset that my mother invited Katrina, aren't you?"

She shook her head quickly, tears gathering in her eyes.

I wondered if they were real. She was a strong woman—calculating, manipulative. Was this just another trick to make him pity her?

"Forgive me, Your Highness," she whispered. She stood to go to him, but he lifted a hand, stopping her in place.

Everyone looked away, pretending not to watch. But I couldn't stop staring.

And then, something struck me—the king never forgave easily.

If he ever found out the truth about me, that I had lied to him…

A chill ran through me. Would he ever forgive me?

"I have tried to keep our marriage matters private," the king said coldly, his eyes never leaving Fortuna. "To respect you."

He took a slow step forward.

"But since you want our dirty laundry aired in public… so be it."

He didn't wait for her to apologize. Instead, he turned to me and called my name.

A cold wave of fear washed over me. I wished I could vanish.

"You won't sit at this table anymore."

Humiliation burned through me.

Why would he say that? Just to please his wife? I didn't come here on my own—his mother invited me. Yet, here I was, being treated like I had done something wrong.

This wasn't the Karl I knew.

This morning, he wanted to make me look desperate—as if I was clinging to the royal family, as if I didn't belong.

But I wasn't desperate.

I nodded slowly, swallowing the lump in my throat. From the corner of my eye, I saw Fortuna smiling. She had won.

I was foolish to think the king would turn on her so easily.

"What are you doing?" the queen mother's voice broke the tension. She was shocked.

"She's right," Rosalind said, speaking for the first time. She placed her book on the table and looked straight at the king. "My mother gave an order. Why would you dismiss it?"

Karl sighed, pacing the room like a caged lion. Frustrated, but unwilling to back down.

"When I give an order, it is not to be questioned," his voice was sharp. He pointed at them, then at Fortuna. "Not by you. Not by you. And certainly not by you."

Silence.

"Your wish is our command," Rosalind muttered, clearly displeased but unwilling to push him further.

"Good," Karl said, his tone final. "A marriage alliance will be arranged between Prince Elvin and my wife's sister, Lady Faustino."

Fortuna gasped, then coughed uncontrollably. Someone rushed to hand her water, but Karl ignored her.

"The wedding will take place as soon as the games end," he continued. "The games begin tonight. In the meantime… have a boring day, all of you."

And just like that, he left.

I let out a slow breath, rubbing the back of my neck. He was right about one thing—today was going to be painfully dull.

**

The games started tonight. Marissa had told me about them, though she didn't like them. And I had a feeling I wouldn't either.

Even from the sculptures I saw the other day, I could tell these games were meant to entertain only one person—the king.

"Are you okay?"

A voice pulled me from my thoughts. I turned to see Rania standing next to me.

"Y-yes," I answered.

"Okay. I was wondering… You're Katrina, right?" she asked. I nodded.

"Nice meeting you," she said with a small smile. Then, with a chuckle, she added, "My brother is such a…"

She stopped mid-sentence and walked away.

I frowned. What was that? What had she been about to say? More importantly, why didn't she finish?

By now, almost everyone had left—including Prince Elvin. The announcement of his engagement must have stunned him. I wished we could talk, just to see how he felt about it. Was he okay? Did he even have a choice?

Somehow, I felt guilty for the mess he was in.

Just as I was about to leave, I noticed Queen Fortuna sitting with the queen mother and Rosalind. They were speaking softly, trying to calm her down.

I didn't understand. Why was she upset? Shouldn't she be happy that her sister was marrying a good man like Prince Elvin?

Unlike me… I was stuck with the king forever.

And I still didn't know if he even liked me. His actions confused me.

As I walked out of the dining hall, frustration burned inside me. The king had made his choice clear today.

Fortuna was his queen. His priority. His everything.

And me? I was just entertainment.

Let's see how things go from here.

**

By the time I got back to the quarters, I was starving and frustrated.

The other women had already finished their breakfast. As usual, they were gossiping and practicing their dances for tonight's event.

If only I had stayed back like them, I would have eaten by now.

I was still recovering, and the king? He ruined everything.

As I walked to my room, my eyes drifted toward Queen Fortuna's chambers. The memory of what had happened at the dining hall replayed in my mind.

"Fortuna's sister is going to join us here as a bride," I muttered as I stepped inside my room.

My feet ached. I kicked off my shoes and went straight to the table where the maids had set my food.

I ate quickly, but the thoughts in my head made my stomach churn. The memory of the morning's humiliation made me feel sick.

"Yes, my lady," Marissa said as she poured wine into a cup and handed it to me.

"My problems are only going to get worse."

"No, Lady Faustino is different… or so I've heard."

That name. Faustino.

It sounded so familiar.

Then it hit me.

The woman I met in prison. She was Queen Fortuna's sister.

She had told me that Fortuna locked her away without the king's knowledge.

I froze, my spoon halfway to my mouth. Slowly, I put it down and picked up the wine instead, taking a long sip.

Faustino was dead.

She died while I was still in prison.

And now, I understood.

Queen Fortuna wasn't just angry when the king made that announcement—she was terrified.

How was she going to explain this?

How would she bring forth a sister who no longer existed?

"Why are you smiling, my lady?" Marissa asked, eyeing me curiously.

I hadn't realized I was grinning.

"I met Faustino in prison," I said, my voice low. "Her own sister, Fortuna, locked her in there."

Marissa gasped, covering her mouth with her palm to keep from screaming.

"She was there for a long time," I continued. "She died the same day I met her."

Marissa's eyes widened in shock. "Are you sure?"

"I wasn't at first," I admitted. "But after seeing Fortuna's reaction today, I have no doubts."

"She's a cruel and dangerous woman," Marissa whispered. "What could her own sister have done to deserve that?"

"I don't know," I said. "But whatever it was, this is Fortuna's darkest secret."

"We have to find out the truth."

"Yes… but it won't be easy." I smirked. "For now, let's just enjoy the show."

I leaned back, taking another sip of my wine.

"How will she produce Lady Faustino for the wedding?"

Marissa and I burst into laughter.

Maybe this day wouldn't be as boring as the king had predicted.