Sweet Innocence and Gentle Sin || 𝐀𝐂𝐎𝐓𝐀𝐑

Chapter 38: You Are More Than This

So with a heavy heart, I'll guide this dagger into the heart of my enemy

~)(~

I didn't think it could get any worse, but I was again proven it could. It seemed the High Lord wanted to rub it in that I was of royal blood. The room I was too afraid to touch was on the same floor as the rooms reserved for the distinguished guests. And the guests... well, thankfully, no one was there to witness my near fainting at seeing Tamlin, of all people, walking down the hall.

Apparently, the Starfall Ball was so important that war was put to the wayside for a weekend of luxury and blissful ignorance. At least, that's what the twins said, and I had no reason yet to mistrust them. Right... that was the other thing.

The moment Cassian finally left me alone in my room, they appeared from thin air. Nuala was the first to speak, explaining that the two would accompany me throughout my stay and help me with anything I needed. Cerridwen then laid out a lovely day dress and told me I was to have lunch with the High Lord's son.

I didn't know if I could speak to them while they helped with—more like kept me from—getting dressed. I had to remind myself multiple times that this is what they did. This was their job.

They filled the bath and poured lavender oil into the steaming water, unbothered when I finally built the courage to undress and slip into the water as fast as possible. They didn't question why I was reluctant to uncurl my arms from my folded-up knees and didn't look long at the scars across my body from years of fighting. And I guess it was clear I was anxious, or they disliked the silence just as much.

"You are afraid of this ball?" Nuala asked as she scrubbed the dried blood from my palm. Not once had she seemed put off by the burns covering my hands, and for once, it was a blessing for them to be unnoticed.

I blinked out of my daze and looked up from the rose petals drifting atop the water. "I—is it obvious?"

Cerridwen smiled and tapped my fingers with her nail file. "We are observant. And you are shivering even though the water is steaming."

A bead of water slid down my temple. "Right... I didn't think of that, sorry."

"Don't apologize for such trivial things. It makes you sound weak. And you are far from weak." Nuala dipped my hand in the bath water to wash away the soap and pulled out a file. "We shall give you dark claws like those of a raven."

Cerridwen eyed her sister from beneath her lashes and said, "It is okay to be afraid of these things. We all are, especially in times of war. It's so easy for those males to start a fight they cannot win."

I laughed. "Yes, it is. And I guess it's just... strange. I'm not prepared for them."

Cerridwen tilted her head and smiled gently, her hand squeezing mine. "You are not alone here."

"Feels like it," I said, clearing my throat. "I'm entirely out of my element."

It had been so long since I had to even look at a Lord that I barely remembered their names, let alone how to keep myself from being executed for saying the wrong thing. I had no knowledge of current politics or who was considered an ally or enemy. Knowing me, I'd likely make small talk with Beron, of all people.

"This is an opportunity to make friends and enemies," Nuala said before she brushed a dark polish onto my nail. "And to make agreements."

"Are you suggesting I should conspire?"

Cerridwen stopped all her work and said in a hissing whisper, "Are you not already? You must now, if you are to secure your place on the throne—"

"I have no intention of becoming a queen."