nd when he did speak, his tone carried less venom. It wasn't kindness, far from it but it wasn't the cold disdain I'd come to expect. I wasn't sure what to make of it.

y strike before it happened. It was clear now that his frail, sickly demeanor was nothing more than a facade. 'But why?' "Enjoying the show?" His voice suddenly rang in my head. I jumped at the sound of his voice. He was looking directly at me now, his lips curling into a faint smirk. "I didn't mean to interrupt," I said quickly, stepping out of the shadows. "You didn't," he replied, tossing a towel over his shoulder as he approached. I hesitated, unsure of what to say. "You're... good at that." His smirk widened. "Did you think I wouldn't be?" "No," I admitted. "But the stories people tell about you... they paint a very different picture." He tilted his head, studying me. "And what picture do they paint of you, Brielle?" I stiffened at the question, the weight of his gaze pressing down on me. "It doesn't matter," I said finally. "People will believe what they want to believe." For a moment, he said nothing. Then he nodded as if accepting my answer. "You're not wrong," he said quietly and returned to his practice, I believed. However, the next day, Victoria made her presence known in the worst way possible. Throughout my arrival in the castle, she had been cold and rude while putting up a facade of kindness and compassion but I knew those stunts too well and could see right through her acts. Clearly, she likes Liam but with presence in the castle as his wife seems like a threat to her. Meanwhile, I was in the kitchen, speaking with one of the servants about the menu for dinner, when she swept in like a storm. "Brielle," she said sweetly, her voice laced with false warmth. "I need you to help me with something." I turned to face her, my stomach sinking. "Of course," I said evenly. In a flash, she led me to the ballroom, where a group of nobles was gathered, their laughter echoing off the high ceilings. Victoria motioned for me to stand beside her, then turned to the group with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Everyone, this is Brielle Darkhaven," she announced, her tone overly cheerful. "The newest addition to our royal family." The nobles