Ms. Shirly released my hair, causing it to cascade in dishevelled dark waves around my shoulders.
What was Vera engaged in? She could not have been designated. Is it possible that she was? Could he have marked us both last night?
Negative.
That was illogical.
I observed Jayce; he appeared nearly speechless, yet his expression solidified, and his lips pressed into a thin line. I contemplated his thoughts, yet I recognised it was not my prerogative to speculate on such matters.
“You?” he enquired, gazing at her. His voice resonated through the silence of the fields.
Vera inclined her head briefly and looked up at him.
“Indeed, Your Majesty. I sincerely apologise for my delayed response,” she stated, maintaining a gentle tone that was entirely unfamiliar to me. She was endeavouring to present herself as a lady.
“Inspect her,” Jayce commanded Ms. Shirley. I distanced myself from Ms. Shirley and rejoined the crowd. I cannot recall when I contacted Kylie, but I succeeded in returning to my original position before he manoeuvred me through the crowd.
Kylie looked at me and murmured, “Are you alright?”
The surroundings remained tranquil, and I doubted my ability to match her silence, so I acquiesced with a nod. However, I harboured uncertainties regarding my own conviction.
“She possesses the mark, your majesty,” Ms. Shirley stated breathlessly; her astonishment appeared greater than that of any of us.
A subtle smile graced Vera’s lips as she looked up at Jayce.
“What is your name?” Jayce enquired, his tone tinged with curiosity. He neither sounded angry nor pleased. Merely inquisitive.
“Vera Harford, your majesty,” she stated, inclining her head once more.
He adjusted his posture and maintained his gaze on hers.
“Vera…” he exhaled.
He uttered her name as he had pronounced mine for the first time; I experienced an unfamiliar pang of pain in my chest. I ingested it, wishing for it to remain buried. It was illogical for me to experience such feelings. I ought to feel relieved that Vera accepted the blame; regardless of her motivations, I was no longer in the limelight. This indicated that my prospects of departing from this palace had returned.
Kylie muttered, “She’s utterly insincere,” while folding her arms and gazing at Vera from a distance.
I cast her a sidelong glance accompanied by a frown.
I enquired, attempting to modulate my voice to a subdued level, “What prompts your assertion?”
“If she were genuinely the one, he noted, she would have revealed herself long ago. Why conceal such information, only to disclose it now?” Kylie enquired, exasperatedly rolling her eyes. “All individuals present aspired to be the one he designated. Any person would counterfeit the mark to achieve their desires. Vera recognised the opportunity and seized it.”
I shrugged, attempting to maintain my composure and conceal my thoughts.
“Do you not believe that Jayce can distinguish between his genuine mark and a counterfeit?” I enquired.
This prompted me to question whether her mark was indeed counterfeit or if he had marked us both.
She exhaled deeply and shrugged.
“Who can say? However, I do not trust her at all,” Kylie whispered.
Mr. Leon faced the crowd, appearing fatigued from the day and somewhat perplexed. It was evident that he did not anticipate it being Vera. No one among us was. She collaborated closely with Mr. Leon, and he likely felt somewhat blindsided by her concealment of this information.
“There is no point in remaining idle. Lady Vera requires assistance in relocating her possessions to her new quarters,” Mr. Leon declared. “Individuals without assigned tasks may assist Lady Vera. The remainder of you should resume your duties.”
The crowd gradually dispersed; I was tardy for my shift at the palace library. Among all the positions in the palace, that was my preferred role. My passion for literature and the tranquilly of the library rendered me utterly content. I desired to work at the library consistently; however, I was regrettably assigned to it only a few times each week.
However, I was unable to divert my gaze from Vera and Jayce. I possessed numerous enquiries for which I recognised I would never receive responses.
Kylie positioned herself next to me and entwined her arm with mine.
“We must depart before we encounter difficulties,” Kylie stated, emphasising the necessity of adhering to the regulations.
She was correct; we would not face repercussions if we attempted to exit this palace one day.
I exhaled and acquiesced as I averted my gaze from them and commenced our walk towards the palace.
“One day, Kylie, we shall attain our freedom,” I conveyed to her, as we frequently reaffirmed our motivation for persevering each day.
She constricted her grip on my arm.
“Affirmative,” she concurred. “We shall.”
(Perspective of Jayce)
“Even now, as she stands before us, it remains unsettling,” Zayden, Jayce’s inner wolf, articulated from deep within.
“What do you mean it feels incorrect?” Jayce enquired, evidently irritated by Zayden’s lack of clarity.
“The aroma of her wolf is not organic,” Zayden elucidated.
“What are you implying? Has there been an error?” Jayce enquired.
“I cannot be certain. However, there is an aspect of Molly that I find unsettling. It is as if she possesses no discernible scent whatsoever, akin to our companion from last night.”
“Vera bears our insignia,” Jayce asserted.
“However, your feelings differ now compared to last night when you were with Vera,” Zayden contended. “You would perceive it if she were your companion. She is present before us now, yet you experience nothing.”
“My feelings are irrelevant. I do not subscribe to the concept of fated mates,” Jayce retorted.
“Regardless of your belief, they exist. Furthermore, you experienced the bond of the mate.”
Jayce was unable to refrain from gazing at the dispersing crowd. He observed the maid, Molly, strolling with her arm entwined with another maid whom he did not recognise and had no inclination to acknowledge.
