I stepped inside the mansion. The oak doors closed with a satisfying thud behind . The warmth of the hearth seeped into my skin after the cool evening air outside. My heels clicked against the marble floor as I made my way toward the bedrooms. The scent of sandalwood mixed with lavender floated through the hallways.
Sure, it was comforting but not nearly as comforting as I hoped to feel tonight. Just as I rounded the corner near the staircase, my two personal maids, Lila and Carn, appeared like clockwork, skirting silently but with that unmistakable urgency in their eyes.
They were dressed in the modest gray uniforms of the household staff, but their eyes carried more intelligence and fire than most of the so-called ones around here.
Lila was the younger of the two. She was barely past twenty and had sharp brown eyes that missed nothing and a mouth that had gotten her in trouble more than once. Her dark curls were always pulled into a neat bun, but there was nothing neat about her opinions.
She was quick, clever, and had a sarcasm problem I secretly loved.
Carn, on the other hand, was older and closer to my mother’s age. She was calm, ticulous, and soft-spoken, but underneath that quiet grace was a woman who knew how to get things done. I’d once seen her stare down a drunken guard who tried to slap her. The guard walked away with a bloody nose and Carn didn’t even smudge her lipstick.
They weren’t just maids—they were trusted, loyal, and fierce in their own way. When I asked them to run errands, they didn’t just run—they listened, observed, and reported. They were my ears, my hands, and in many ways, the only won around here who truly saw what I was trying to do.
Axel had hand-picked them himself. My husband, despite being so sour and seemingly distant still cared about and looked out for .
Lila and Carn weren’t with for the entirety of today because they were out. Busy with the entire court hearing pending tomorrow and getting things done on my behalf.
"Señorita," Lila whispered as if the walls might be listening. "We have the report from the places you sent us."
I nodded, motioning for them to follow. "Let’s talk inside, please."
The three of us slipped through the door that led to the quarters Axel and I shared. The heavy curtains were drawn, illuminating the room in soft shadows, and the faint glow of candlelight played on the walls, making the shadows dance.
"Sit," I said, gesturing to the velvet chairs near the window. Lila and Carn sank down with grim expressions on their faces.
"So, tell everything," I urged.
Lila took a deep breath, her hands fast as she unfolded a small parchnt. "It’s worse than we thought. Elder Rojas... he went personally to each witness’s ho."
W-what?!
I bristled at the ntion of that na. Rojas—the man was as slimy as they ca, his smile as fake as the promises he made.
Why on earth had he gone to the witness’s ho? How the hell did he even know whom and whom we had secretly gathered to testify?
"And?"
Carn’s voice was low, almost a hiss. "The mont we arrived at their hos, the witnesses shut their doors on our faces. Not a single one agreed to et them or testify as they promised."
No, no, no. This can not be happening.
I gasped, disbelief and frustration crashing over . "They’re supposed to be on our side! I’m fighting for these people, for justice..."
Lila nodded, eyes somber. "That’s what we thought, Señorita. But apparently, they’re too afraid. Afraid of what Elder Rojas and the others might do to their families."
I slamd a fist lightly on the armrest, trying to steady my voice. "But that can’t be! We’re close to getting these n! They know I’m on their side."
Carn spoke up, "There were two people who did not shut the door on us. They explained that the threats are more than just rumors. Families disappearing, livestock dead, hos burned... The elders have ways to break spirits."
I closed my eyes, the weight of their words sinking deep. Damn them all to hell.
Alpha Tomas was there watching all of these happen and did nothing about it. I just couldn’t comprehend or wrap my head around the sort of horrible man Axel had as a Father.
"But the two who refused the bribes..." Lila continued, "They have nothing left to lose. Their families are already gone. So the money Elder Rojas offered was useless to them because they wanted vengeance. They want to testify, Señorita."
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Relief flooded like a sudden spring rain. "At least we have two witnesses left. Two voices against a whole corrupt pack of elders."
Carn smiled faintly. "We can only hope the council listens."
... which was dead unlikely.
I leaned back, rubbing my temples. "The crowd would have been best. Their numbers, their unity. But since they chose fear over courage, we must place our faith in those two. It’s a thin thread, but it’s sothing."
Lila nodded. "We will stand with you, Señorita."
If only it were that easy. If I fucked up, I’d get a whole council of elders on my and Axel’s back. However, if I succeeded, I’d bring justice to the lost souls, pack mbers whose properties have been lost, the ostracized—like I once was. And most importantly, the people’s confidence in would be greater than ever before.
And if I said so, they might reject Álvaro’s reign even if Camilla births a boy. All of this... everything was for Axel.
I forced a smile. "Good. Now, let’s prepare for tomorrow. We need every advantage."
A mont passed in silence. Then, I felt the corners of my mouth twitch mischievously. There was sothing more important that needed to get done tonight.
I wouldn’t let this bad blood between and Axel last a day longer. Enough was enough.
"Lila, Carn... fetch the red thong."
Their eyes widened in unison, then laughter split out of them in a light and contagious way.
"You and Beta Axel planning a hot night, Señorita?" Carn teased, cheeks flushed.
I smirked, acting deliberately coy. "Maybe. You’d better make sure it’s ready."
They giggled like schoolgirls and hurried off, leaving alone with the flickering candlelight and my restless thoughts.
Xiomara stirred in my chest. "Hot night, she says. You better make sure he’s ready for what’s coming because I am more than ready, María José."
I chuckled inwardly. "Oh, trust . I’m about to throw so fire at him."
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