Chapter Ten - Ava
As I dusted the ornate shelves in the east wing of the palace, my mind drifted into a quiet reverie. The air was thick with the scent of aged parchment and polished wood, a comforting aroma that felt like home amid the grandiosity of the palace. The east wing was seldom visited, offering a welcome escape from the bustling corridors filled with nobles and their chatter. I preferred this solitude, a refuge where I could focus on my tasks and keep my true identity hidden—a Moonlight Dragon in the guise of a mere maid.
Today, the light filtered softly through the tall, arched windows, casting delicate patterns on the stone floor. I felt at peace, swaying gently as I dusted off the intricate carvings that adorned the shelves. Each movement of my cloth was almost rhythmic, a dance with history as I navigated between the shelves, lost in my own thoughts.
Suddenly, the tranquility shattered. The heavy wooden door swung open with a creak, and in walked Prince Ash. My heart plummeted. Of all the people to stumble into my sanctuary, it had to be him—the fierce and ambitious prince known for his dragon hunts and royal duties. He stood there, a silhouette against the light, dark hair tousled and striking silver eyes scanning the room.
"Who are you?" he asked, his voice a mix of curiosity and suspicion.
"I'm just a maid," I replied quickly, trying to keep my composure. "Just cleaning."
He stepped further into the room, his gaze piercing as if he could see through the façade I had carefully constructed. "What are you doing in this part of the palace? Most people avoid the east wing."
"It's quiet here," I said, forcing myself to maintain eye contact despite the butterflies swirling in my stomach. "I like the peace."
His brow furrowed as he examined me, taking in my simple maid's attire. "You don't look like you belong here."
"Neither do you, Your Highness," I shot back, my voice more defiant than I intended. "Shouldn't you be out hunting dragons or something?"
He smirked, clearly taken aback by my boldness. "I suppose that's my duty as the prince. But I could say the same about you. Shouldn't you be tending to your chores instead of lingering in a deserted wing?"
A wave of frustration washed over me. "Just because I'm a maid doesn't mean I have to be invisible," I retorted, my hands clenched into fists at my sides. "I have the right to exist in this palace just as much as you do."
Ash stepped closer, his demeanor shifting as he leaned against a bookshelf. "You're fiery for a maid. Most would be too intimidated to speak to me like that."
I narrowed my eyes. "Maybe I'm not intimidated."
His smirk faded slightly, replaced by a glimmer of intrigue. "Then what is it? Why do you linger in the shadows?"
"Because I'm not like you," I said, my voice softening. "I don't have the luxury of being bold. I have to be careful. I can't afford to draw attention to myself."
"Careful?" He raised an eyebrow, skepticism lining his features. "You're in the palace, not hiding in a cave. What are you afraid of?"
My heart raced, and I fought to keep my expression neutral. I could not tell him the truth—not now, not ever. "I'm afraid of being judged, of being misunderstood."
A silence fell between us, thick with unspoken words. Ash studied me, the curiosity in his silver eyes becoming something more intense. "So you're afraid of being found out? But what is it that you're hiding?"
In that moment, I felt exposed, as if he could peel away the layers I'd wrapped around myself and uncover the truth. I took a step back, desperately trying to maintain my composure. "That's none of your business, Your Highness."
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𝒜 ℋℯ𝒶𝓇𝓉 ℴ𝒻 𝒮𝒸𝒶𝓁ℯ𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒮𝓉ℯℯ𝓁
Fantasía"You kept all these secrets from me...I trusted you, Ava." he says as he took a step closer. "Was it all a lie...?" "It was better for the both of us..." I said, my voice calm and cold. "You should go before I kill you, like I did to your father." A...
