The Fifth Daughter {Fantasy-Romance}

FIVE

Hidden in your closet

·・✩₊˚.⋆☾ ⋆⁺₊✧・·

MAERWYNN'S PLEA SEEMED TO snap Valen out of his trance, and the intensity in the room lessened momentarily. His eyes softened, but the reprieve was brief. His gaze hardened once more. "Where's Calia? Did she not inform you to stay out of my business and the business of my court?"

Maerwynn met his unyielding gaze with a curious edge. "Am I not part of the Court now?" she asked, her voice laced with a mix of defiance and intrigue. "Whether a prisoner or a guest, I now belong to this Court. I cannot sit idly by while you kill this man."

Rhaenan, having paused his eating, stared at her with a look of bewilderment, as if she had sprouted horns or undergone some other grotesque transformation. But as quickly as he looked away from the arguing duo, a suppressed smile graces his lips.

Valen's expression cycled from stern to soft, then to a flicker of amusement, before settling into a posture of uncertainty. His eyes darted between Maerwynn and Jullian, a hint of suppressed rage evident in his demeanor.

Ultimately, Valen relented, releasing his grip on Jullian's throat. Jullian collapsed to the floor, gasping for air and clutching his neck, color seeping back to his face.

The room fell silent, the weight of the recent events hanging heavily in the air. "You're dismissed," Valen grunted at Jullian, who scrambled out of the room with an urgency that suggested he was fleeing from some unseen predator.

Rhaenan cleared his throat, his voice carrying a note of sardonic amusement. "What a lovely morning," he muttered under his breath, taking a sip of his wine. Maerwynn could not fathom how they maintained their composure with wine so early in the day while managing their affairs with such clarity.

"Why don't you have some more food, Maerwynn?" Valen's words, unexpectedly gentle, caught her off guard. It was the first time he had addressed her by name since their encounter that morning, and the sound of it carried an oddly warm undertone.

"I'm full, thank you," Maerwynn replied, though the rumbling of her stomach betrayed her true feelings. The kindness in Valen’s tone puzzled her, especially given the earlier confrontation with Jullian. Despite having eaten her fill, she couldn’t shake the gnawing sense of hunger, knowing she had spent half a lifetime starving and was now faced with a feast fit for royalty. The thought of it all disappearing tomorrow made her eye the succulent roast duck with longing, its crispy skin gleaming under the golden light of the dining room.

"At least have some duck," Valen urged, his voice soft yet insistent.

Maerwynn shot him a wary glance. "Can you read my mind?" she whispered, barely audible, but Valen’s amused smile confirmed her suspicion.

"Yes, I can read your mind, dear Maerwynn," He admitted, leaning closer across the table. "Your thoughts kept me up at night. And no, we don't have bears here in the mansion," he added with a chuckle. "You were worried one might burst through your door and drag you away. Rest assured, nothing of the sort will happen."

Rhaenan couldn't contain his laughter. "A bear? Really, Cidron!"

Maerwynn felt a wave of foolishness and embarrassment wash over her. Her cheeks flushed as she realized how her imagination had run wild.

Valen gestured towards the duck. "Please, eat."

"I've lost my appetite," Maerwynn muttered, overwhelmed by the urge to flee the room or hide her face. Valen's gaze remained fixed on her, making her instinctively touch her flushed cheek. Desperate to salvage the situation, she prayed for a reprieve.