The hall was cold despite the morning sun that filtered through the windows. Adina stood among the other slaves and servants, her eyes trained on the ground as murmurs buzzed softly around her.

News of the former head maid's arrest was still a hot topic among the slaves. Adina herself couldn't believe her ears when she heard it. Matilda tricked her. She made her go there knowing fully well what would happen. She felt stupid. No—she was stupid. So stupid for thinking going to the outer borders would make a difference.

She'd wondered all night. What would have happened if Thorne didn't show up when he did? Would her life have been wasted just like that?

Adina shook her head; this was the same stupidity that got her nearly killed in Crystal Moon. The same stupidity that didn't let her see her own sister sleeping with her Alpha.

She sighed deeply, still feeling a slight ache from the bruises and injuries she'd gotten. For a second, she wondered if Matilda regretted it. If she felt even a flicker of guilt seeing how everything turned out.

The door jolted open, and the woman stepped in, drawing Adina's attention. The new head maid was officially introducing herself to the inner court.

Everyone went silent, watching the woman stop right in front of them. The first thing Adina noticed was that the woman was tall. She was slender and carried herself with grace. She had dark curls that cascaded down her shoulders, and her skin was pale. No one would ever think this woman and Matilda were sisters. They were stark opposites of each other.

The woman raised her head, her sharp gaze flickering through them carefully, like she was memorizing their faces. For a moment, her gaze landed directly on Adina. A chill shot down Adina's spine like someone had dumped a bucket of ice water on her back.

"Hey," Kora leaned toward her, brows furrowed. "Are you okay? You still shouldn't be out of bed after… you know."

Adina blinked, forcing her voice to stay steady. "I'm fine. I just… wanted to see the new head maid too."

Kora hummed, leaning closer, "Everyone wants to see her. News is, she's the one who should've been the head maid right from the start. No one knows what happened, but Matilda got the title and Maya left the kingdom. Only now, she's back."

"And you know this how?"

Kora glanced at her, brows raised. "I just know things."

"My name is Maya," the woman began, her voice firmer than Adina expected, yet there was a coldness beneath it. "I hope to serve the kingdom well and fulfill my duties accordingly. I ask for your cooperation." She bowed deeply, earning gasps from others. Perhaps, no other head maid has ever bowed to them.

The orientation went on for a minute longer, and soon they were dismissed to their various jobs. Adina moved to leave only to be called back by Maya.

She froze in her steps, turning around. The others had now left the room, leaving Adina, Maya, and two other slaves.

Maya stepped closer to her, a small smile on her face. "Adina, right?"

Adina nodded slowly.

Maya cleared her throat, "I want to apologize on behalf of my… sister. What she did was totally unacceptable."

Adina blinked, unsure how to respond. Her fingers curled into the hem of her dress.

Maya tilted her head slightly, the polite smile never leaving her face. "If it were up to me, she would've never held the position in the first place. She wasn't suited for it." She then added gently, "You were very brave, Adina. Not many survive what you did."

Something about her tone made Adina's stomach twist.

Adina swallowed. "I didn't do anything brave. King Thorne saved me."

Maya hummed softly. "I know he did." She smiled softly, "You've made quite the impression."

Before Adina could ask what that meant, Maya spoke. "That'll be all. I know you're the king's personal maid now, and so you have no work here. You may leave."

Adina nodded, she bowed and turned to leave. Her legs felt like jelly as she walked out.

_________

An hour passed, and still, she wasn't busy. The king had been in meetings all day and didn't give her any orders on what to do, and the beta had basically told her to 'do whatever.'

What did 'whatever' mean? She wasn't sure. All she knew was that she had a break and was going to use it.

This found her back in the same place she'd avoided ever since that night.

The library.

She stared at the building, biting her lips softly as the memories of that night flashed into her head once again. He had kissed her and even…

She shook her head, cutting the thoughts off. She stepped into the library, and as usual, no one was there. Adina was starting to believe no one liked to read here.

She wandered through the shelves, looking for what to read. She had so much free time she could waste away just reading. It was perfect.

She walked through the aisles, her fingers tracing the worn books she couldn't read. Eventually, she stopped in front of a tall shelf, tilting her head at one of the books tucked high up. She recognized it immediately. It was one of her favorites back in Crystal Moon.

Except, now it was sitting way far from her.

She reached up, standing on her toes, stretching her arm as far as it could go, but of course, it wasn't enough.

She paused, looking around for a chair? A ladder? Anything, and then she found it. A wooden chair sitting at the corner. She immediately dragged it towards the shelf and stood on it, reaching for the book.

Almost there… Her fingertips brushed the edge of the book, and yet she couldn't grab it. She paused, resisting the urge to curse the person who built the shelves this high.

After taking a deep breath, she reached for it again. This time she grabbed the book tight, smiling victoriously, but of course, it doesn't last long. The chair began wobbling beneath her feet, tilting dangerously. Her breath hitched, and she squeezed her eyes tight, waiting for the impact.

Except that it doesn't come.

No… Instead, strong hands gripped her waist, holding her steady.

"You really have a talent for near-death experiences," a voice murmured, half amused.

Her heart stuttered as she helped to the ground, she looked up only to find Lord Levi staring at her.

"What do you think you're doing? Didn't you just get cleared after what happened?" He asked.

Adina's face heated up in shame. This was beginning to be even more embarrassing. "I only wanted to get the book. I'm sorry for bothering you." She replied, bowing deeply.

Levi hummed, clearly amused. "You know, this is the third time now. I'm starting to think you might have a knack of me saving you."

"I'm not," she muttered, brushing imaginary dust from her skirt. Her cheeks burned.

Levi grinned. "Still. This is the third time I'm saving you. I think it's only fair you owe me a favor."

Adina blinked, "A favor?"

He nodded, stepping closer. "Have you finished those buttons I gave you?"

Adina looked away for a brief second. She should've used the free hours she had to sew them instead of coming here to read. "Not yet, my lord. If you need them soon, I'll get right on with it. I was going to bring them to your quarters tonight—"

"No need," he said smoothly, eyes locking with hers. "I'll come to you."

Adina hesitated. She didn't stay in the slave quarters anymore, so how…? "….You know where I stay now?"

Levi's smile deepened. "In the King's wing, right?"

She nodded curtly, suddenly uncertain. "Yes."

"Perfect. I'll see you tonight then." And just like that, he turned and walked off.

__________

Later at night.

Levi stopped in front of the door he remembered from the previous day. The one Thorne had practically chased him away from. His jaw clenched at the memory. All he wanted was a few minutes. Just some damn space with her.

He raised his hand to knock, fingers just brushing the wood… Then he felt it.

That heavy, suffocating presence like a thunderstorm.

"Fuck," he muttered under his breath. Of course. Because why wouldn't he be here?

Thorne stood at the far end of the hallway, in a loose black shirt, walking with the quiet dominance of a predator. His eyes locked onto Levi like he was prey.

Levi dropped his hand from the door and slowly turned. "Good evening, Your Majesty,"

Thorne didn't answer right away. He came to a halt in front of him, gaze sliding from Levi to the door… then back to Levi.

"What are you doing in my wing?" Thorne asked, voice low and deep.

Levi smiled, "Ah—Adina is helping me with something, and I came to collect it." He replied as casually as he could even though there was nothing casual about the way he was feeling.

Thorne arched a brow. "Something?"

Right then, the door creaked open. Adina stepped out, her eyes widening when she saw Thorne. In her arms were Levi's neatly folded clothes.

Perfect timing.

Thorne's gaze snapped to the bundle, then to her face. His jaw flexed hard enough to crack.

"What's this?" He asked, snapping his gaze back at Levi, his wolf clawing to come out and teach the young man a lesson on boundaries.

"M-my king…" Adina rushed out, ready to thrust the clothes into Levi's arms.

But before she could, Thorne's hand shot out, wrapping around her wrist. He tugged her toward him in one swift motion. Her body collided with his, and she let out a small, surprised sound.

He looked at Levi, "Adina is my personal maid. She answers only to me. Let this be the last time you'll have her doing anything for you."

Levi met his gaze, smile fading slowly. "Of course, Your Majesty. Forgive my ignorance."

He glanced at Adina one last time before walking away.

The second he left, Adina opened her mouth to speak only to have Thorne pull her into his room.

She gasped slightly, stunned. She had no idea what was going on and was greatly confused.

Thorne stood still, his hand still gripping her wrist tightly. He glanced at it, and only then did he release her, as if just realizing he was still holding on. She stumbled back, heart thudding in her chest.

He said nothing at first, walking straight to the liquor cabinet in the corner. He poured himself a drink and downed it in one swallow. He was exhausted to his bones and yet… seeing that almost had him…

He looked at her, but she was already staring at him. She quickly looked away, as though she didn't want to anger him further.

"What business do you have with Levi?"

She blinked, "He asked for help with a rip in his shirt. I offered to sew it. That's all."

"That's all," Thorne echoed, voice flat. He finally turned, eyes narrowing at the one shirt left behind in her hand. "I was very clear with what I said. You only answer to me, Adina."

She swallowed hard, nodding.

"No more favors. No more helping him."

"But…Your Majesty—"

"But what?" he snapped, voice rising sharply, making her flinch.

She looked down, biting her lip. "Nothing,"

Thorne ran a hand through his hair. Everything in him felt too tight. Too loud. He hated how that boy looked at her. Hated the fact that her first instinct was to help someone who wasn't him. He was truly losing his mind.

He finally sat down at his desk, piles of scrolls and letters in front of him. He didn't tell her to leave, and she didn't move. She just stood there, still confused, still holding Levi's stupid shirt.

An hour? Maybe two hours later… Somewhere between reading reports and writing replies… his head dipped, and his breathing slowed.

For the first time in weeks, he fell asleep.

And Adina… Adina just stood there, staring at him like she'd never seen him this human before. This… exhausted.

She walked over, close enough to see the shadows under his eyes. The way his lashes brushed his skin. The small frown still etched into his brows.

He looked less like a king. And more like a man who hadn't known peace in a very long time.