Twisted Greed (Twisted Sin #1)

Chapter 7

"My lady..." the maid called, closing the box of jewelry and looking at the princess standing in front of the mirror.

Yzabella remained staring at her reflection, unconsciously touching the mark on her neck. She was still in a daze after the recent events. There was so much on her plate, and now it felt like everything was spilling over.

She sighed heavily.

"My lady, remember the ruby necklace that you wore yesterday? I think I misplaced it, I couldn't find it inside the box," the maid said worriedly, her eyes scanning the room. "I apologize, it was my mistake for not keeping an eye on your things."

It was then that Yzabella snapped out of her trance. She looked at Liora in the mirror and smiled. "It's fine, Liora. It was me who lost it."

She forced herself to stand after checking her reflection in the mirror one last time. She was wearing a rosy-colored gown, a set of pearl necklace and bracelet, with her blonde hair free to dance around her shoulders.

Despite the exhaustion from all that had happened, she still had a duty to perform. She wouldn’t let anyone stop her from fulfilling her role, not even the emperor. She was the heiress of Esther, and she would soon rule a kingdom.

After finalizing her appearance, she stepped outside with Liora to go to the garden to meet the princess of Avanov. They had agreed the previous day to explore the palace together. Yzabella sighed heavily, hoping that Princess Zienna's brother wouldn't come. The last thing she wanted today was more stress, and she knew he had a knack for ruining everything.

As they walked through the palace corridors, the weight of her responsibilities pressed down on her. Each step felt like a march towards an uncertain future. She couldn't afford to falter now, not when so much was at stake.

They reached the garden, where the flowers were in full bloom, their vibrant colors a stark contrast to the turmoil within Yzabella's heart. She spotted Princess Zienna waiting for her, a bright smile on her face. The sight brought a small measure of comfort to Yzabella, reminding her that she wasn't entirely alone in this foreign land.

"Princess Yzabella!" Zienna called out, waving enthusiastically. "I'm so glad you could join me today."

Yzabella forced a smile, determined to put on a brave face. "Of course, Princess Zienna. I wouldn't miss it."

They began their tour of the palace gardens, Liora and princess's maid trailing behind them. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, and the gentle hum of bees added a soothing background to their conversation.

As they strolled, Yzabella found herself relaxing slightly, the beauty of the gardens and Zienna's cheerful chatter providing a temporary escape from her worries. They admired the intricate fountains, the well-tended flowerbeds, and the elegant statues that adorned the pathways.

However, Yzabella's reprieve was short-lived. From the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure approaching. Her heart sank as she recognized Zavier, his presence a dark cloud over her fragile peace.

"Ah, brother," Zienna said with a polite nod. "I didn't expect to see you here."

Zavier returned the nod, his eyes briefly meeting Yzabella's. "I was just passing through," he said smoothly. "I hope I'm not intruding."

"Not at all," Zienna replied cheerfully. "We're just enjoying the gardens."

Yzabella forced herself to maintain her composure, but she couldn't shake the unease that settled over her. She had hoped for a few moments of peace, but it seemed that everywhere, she couldn't escape the shadows that loomed over her.