chapter 13: A night of deception

Layla stood before the mirror, adjusting the delicate lace trim on her maid's uniform. She had been tasked with attending the royal event in the nearby kingdom, not as a noblewoman, but as a humble servant.

Maria, Kael's betrothed, had convinced Layla to accompany her to the event, under the guise of not wanting to feel lonely in an unfamiliar place. Layla had agreed.

As she finished her preparations, Maria swept into the room, her elegant gown rustling with every step. "Ah, Layla, you look lovely," Maria said, her voice dripping with condescension. "I'm so glad you could join me tonight."

Layla curtsied, her eyes cast downward. "Thank you, milady. I'm honored to serve you."

Maria smiled, her eyes glinting with amusement. "I'm sure you are, Layla. Now, let's get going. We don't want to keep Kael waiting."

As they made their way to the event, Layla couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. She knew that Maria was using her as a pawn in her game of power and manipulation.

But Layla had her own secrets, her own motivations. She was determined to uncover the truth about her past, and she was willing to do whatever it took to achieve her goal.

As they arrived at the event, Layla's eyes scanned the crowded room. She spotted Kael, standing tall and proud, his eyes scanning the room as if searching for someone.

Layla's heart skipped a beat as their eyes met, but she quickly looked away, remembering her place as a humble servant.

Maria, however, had no such qualms. She swept forward, her gown rustling with every step, and claimed Kael's attention.

Layla watched, her eyes narrowed, as Maria flirted shamelessly with Kael. She could see the tension between them, the underlying current of attraction and desire.

But Layla knew that Kael's heart belonged to Runa, not Maria. And she was determined to keep it that way.

As the night wore on, Layla found herself drawn into a web of intrigue and deception. She navigated the complex social hierarchy with ease, all while keeping her true identity hidden.

But as the evening drew to a close, Layla couldn't shake the feeling that she was playing with fire. She was walking a thin line between loyalty and deception, and she knew that one misstep could have disastrous end

Maria turned to Layla with a sly smile. "Thank you, Layla, for being such a wonderful companion tonight. I don't know what I would have done without you."

Layla curtsied, her eyes cast downward. "It was my pleasure, milady."

But as she looked up, she caught Kael's eye, and for a moment, they shared a connection that went beyond words.

Layla's heart skipped a beat as she realized that Kael was starting to see her, really see her, beyond her disguise as a maid.

And she knew that she was in trouble.

As the night wore on, Maria excused herself to gather the other princesses, leaving Layla alone with Kael for a moment.

Maria swept across the room, her gown rustling with every step, as she gathered the attention of the other princesses. "Ladies, let us show our support for our beloved kingdom and its future king!" she declared, her voice carrying across the room.

The other princesses nodded in agreement, their eyes sparkling with admiration for Maria's boldness. Maria, meanwhile, made her way back to Kael's side, her arm slipping possessively through his.

"I'm so proud to be by your side, my love," Maria cooed, her voice dripping with sweetness.

Layla watched the exchange, her stomach churning with disgust. She couldn't believe Maria's audacity, flaunting her supposed claim on Kael like a trophy.

Just then, the music began, and the guests took to the dance floor. Kael turned to Maria, but instead of asking her to dance, his eyes scanned the room until they landed on Layla.

"Layla, would you do me the honor of dancing with me?" Kael asked, his voice low and husky.

Layla's heart skipped a beat as she nodded, her eyes never leaving Kael's. Maria's face turned bright red with rage as she realized she'd been snubbed.

The other princesses gasped in shock, their whispers and giggles filling the air. "Did you see that? Kael asked the maid to dance instead of Maria!" one of them exclaimed.

Maria's eyes flashed with anger as she stormed off the dance floor, leaving Kael and Layla to dance alone. Layla's heart pounded in her chest as Kael took her hand, his fingers intertwining with hers.

As they glided across the dance floor, Layla felt like she was floating on air. She couldn't believe that Kael had chosen her over Maria, and she couldn't help but wonder what this meant for their future.

As the dance came to an end, Kael's expression turned serious, his eyes narrowing as he gazed at Layla. "I have to admit, I've been suspicious of you, Layla," he said, his voice low and husky.

Layla's heart skipped a beat as she met Kael's gaze, her eyes flashing with defiance. "Suspicious of me, milord?" she repeated, her voice dripping with innocence.

Kael's eyes seemed to bore into her soul, as if searching for any sign of deception. "Yes, Layla. I've noticed that you seem to be everywhere, always lurking in the shadows. If you're trying to hide something, I warn you now: if you try anything wrong, I won't hesitate to kill you."

Layla's face remained impassive, but her heart was racing with fear. She knew that Kael was a man of his word, and she had no doubt that he would carry out his threat if she betrayed him.

The music ended, and the guests began to disperse. Kael bowed to Layla, his eyes never leaving hers. "Thank you for the dance, Layla. I'll be keeping an eye on you."

Layla curtsied, her heart still pounding in her chest. She knew that she had to be careful, that one misstep could mean disaster.

As she made her way back to Maria's chambers, she couldn't shake off the feeling that she was walking on thin ice.

When she arrived at Maria's chambers, she was met with a scene of utter chaos. Maria's clothes were scattered all over the floor, her furniture was overturned, and Maria herself looked like a mad person, her eyes wild and her hair disheveled.

"You!" Maria screamed, pointing a shaking finger at Layla. "You're the one who's been causing all this trouble! You're the one who's been flirting with Kael!"

Layla stood tall, her eyes flashing with anger. "I was simply following a royal order, milady," she said, her voice icy. "Kael asked me to dance, and I couldn't refuse."

Maria's face turned red with rage, and she launched herself at Layla, her hands clawing at her face. Layla dodged, her heart pounding in her chest.

"You'll pay for this, you deceitful little maid!" Maria screamed, her voice echoing through the corridors.