ay

s carried m

Rejection.

e flower suited

d gilded cage. Servants hurried back and forth carrying silks, jewelry, perfumes, and cosmetics. M

uction was o

knew what

Or a worse one. Dependin

dge of the conservatory and w

ention to her.

ker bees around a queen. One brushed her hair. Another polished her nails. Several adjusted the shimmering blue gown prepared

ers blooming effortlessly around her. Crimson roses spiraled along marble pil

wered h

n Serena create a

on

m sighed dramatically. "I heard three kingd

The other se

ard s

e will still

ious

faded into

y. Nobody assigned her beauty treatments. Nobody me

ed she wasn't worth the effor

hoed through t

sment

Ronas. Many hurried toward the preparation chambers. Others gathered

e excep

care. Because she alr

t beat faster. Anxiety didn't disappea

lway, familiar voic

van

oticed her st

nk anyone w

followed.

mute

nt snorted. "

o e

lau

ip. In times like this, she missed the el

's buyi

y need someone

ner with a per

burst into la

I heard His Majesty plan

N

es

s terr

t shrugged. "She

looke

till found a way beneath her skin. She waited until the servants left bef

he palace. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Nobles,

pation for the auction. Only the nobles of Valir's close circle were invited. Nobles used the

ck of the line. Exactl

ntire displays of nature unfolded before the audience. The spectators applauded enthusiastically. Se

ion made May

ped forward. The room immediately quie

mered around her fingers. A moment later, flowers erupted acr

der. Rainbow blossoms drifted t

se thundered. Several guests rose to the

rs continued glowing softly. Perfect

wed shortly after. Her roses covered an entire section of th

acted just as e

ow their abilities. Each manifested wonde

was Maya

t anticipation. Curiosity. The k

ily upon his throne. A

plain cream-colored dress suddenly felt inadeq

aced a pot of s

. Grow a flower. De

. Her hands tr

watched. Waiti

oil. Closed her eyes.

stem emerged

hest. Her heart raced as sweat

ea

r bud a

licate. B

the bud opened. For one glori

make

ened. The stem shriveled. The

chest. She didn't dare move, didn't dare to even blin

e dead flower. He

sorr

the audience. Then another. Soon, t

ment. Disappoi

kened as his voice rumbled

flin

ya. His polished boots echoed throughout the chamber. Each ste

mediately f

," he

e called upon her magic again. Anothe

st Rona at her time," he said, "How can she have g

tempt ended

Dead. Wo

sment exchanged uncomfortable looks. They pitied the

w what c

hrough the chamber. Pain exploded ac

aped the

r lip hard. No soun

. Each lash burned across old scars.

blood. His blonde hair swept back, showing his vicious green eyes

blurred. Sti

flower

later it

hip c

ai

ai

ai

d. Nobody intervene

th force and flowers bloomed beneath pruning. He prided in how he hand

so, tow

pt 'polishing' her with whips. Yet time and time again, Maya's magic never improved. The only flowers Maya could grow were black, wilted, crinkly, a

ould summon. Freya's flowers were white, pure, and delicate. Valir regrett

lower. Blood streaked down her back. Yet no voi

face t

ele

fear. The king stared down at her, crouching like an inj

ou will be sold as a slave instead.

. Humiliation burned hot

ove

nts immedia

of her dress. Her hands shook as she shifted h

lost interest as the ne

tacle co

liation had merely be

aving the hall. Or retur

thing

Her pride.

oon passed

beside the dying camellias in the conservato

ay

look

th doe-like brown eyes carried a small b

iping away the tears she

ady seen them. Without a w

healing ointments.

d sadly. "You

aze. The kindness

este carefully applied ointment to

wasn't unc

help more," Ce

ays said things like that. Ye

ot really. The syste

his upon yourself. You made everyone believe that you could only

n. A plea. Unspoken words showed in Maya's dark eyes

Her voice was very small, but enough for Celeste to hea

uldn't reply back because... it was the truth. Her eyes burned with anger, her n

ste stood. "Don't worry, yo

once again. Eventually, Celeste turned around, leaving her alone in the conservatory. She laid on the ground,

wing that this little secret of hers would soon