The rose went in a vase. A simple one, chipped at the base, the only thing in her room that didn't look expensive or intentional. But it fit somehow. Like the rose didn't want a throne. Just a place to be.
Seraya stared at it a moment longer than she meant to, her fingers still tingling from the memory of his touch. Lex. The man who read to her with that low, soothing voice. The man who held her tear like it mattered.
She didn't want to feel this way. Not here. Not now.
A knock on the frame snapped her from the moment. Jenna stepped inside, worry pinching her brow. "Seraya… Vera's summoned you."
Just hearing her name made Seraya's stomach twist. "Now?"
"She said dinner. Dining hall. She wants you there."
Seraya nodded stiffly, already bracing herself.
________________________________________________________________________
The scent hit her before she even entered. Roasted meats. Spiced wine. Sugared pastries. The long table glimmered under candlelight, laden with more food than they ever saw on a regular night.
It was a feast.
Her stomach folded in on itself, already hungry from not eating earlier in the day.
Then she saw Vera seated at the head of the table, reclined like a cat who'd already caught the mouse. She raised a crystal goblet in greeting.
"Welcome, Seraya," Vera said, her tone like poisoned honey. "You're just in time. The king sent us a little gift tonight. He is so attentive. I was just mentioning the change in seasons and how it would be so nice to celebrate. To my surprise, he sent food to feed three harems."
Her laugh rang out, loud and cruel.
Seraya said nothing, though her skin crawled.
"I suppose that makes you quite special," Vera went on, gesturing to the lavish spread. "Touched by the king's generosity. So very special… and yet," her smile sharpened, "still under my command."
She pointed to an empty chair—at the far end.
"Sit."
Seraya hesitated, her pride begging her to walk out. But Jenna's hand on her arm steadied her. Seraya nodded once and took the seat.
"I trust you remember," Vera said lightly, slicing into a glistening piece of duck breast, "you're not eating tonight."
The clatter of silverware around the room was like a taunt.
The others dug in immediately, giggling, sighing over rich bites, clearly not as surprised by this indulgence as Seraya was. Some even glanced her way, smug and smugger still.
And Jenna. Sweet Jenna sat beside her with a trembling fork in hand and guilt in her eyes.
"Eat," Seraya said softly, without looking at her. "One of us should enjoy it."
"I don't have to—"
"Yes, you do." Seraya looked at her then, forcing a smile. "Or Vera wins twice."
Jenna finally took a bite, reluctant but yielding. And Seraya sat in silence, the scent of spiced figs curling around her like mockery, each breath a fresh reminder of her hunger. It gnawed at her stomach, slow and cruel, like a curse designed just for her.
She didn't know who she despised more—
Vera, for wielding this moment like a crown…
Or the king, for handing her the throne to do it.
For favoring her. Of all people.
Seraya closed her eyes and conjured the garden in her mind. The sound of Lex's voice reading to her, steady and warm. The way he hadn't flinched when she cried, hadn't offered platitudes or pity—he had simply stayed.
At least he felt real.
Maybe it was because of his role as a guard—close enough to witness the cruelty, yet far enough from the power plays to resist becoming like them. Maybe he hadn't yet been hollowed out by politics and privilege the way Vera had. The way the king had.
Whatever the reason, she was grateful.
Around her, silver clinked against porcelain, laughter rose in waves, and Vera's gaze remained fixed—watching, waiting, savoring her control.
She even saw Matron Miriam tucking into the meal, happy to ignore the power play and enjoy the succulent meal.
So Seraya did the only thing she could. She let her mind drift, wrapping herself in the memory of that voice, that story, that fleeting moment of peace.
But even as she retreated, she made herself a promise:
One day, she would make them pay.
Vera.
And the king who had given her the means to humiliate her.
They had taken so much already.
And Seraya had nothing left to lose.