Destined Across Time | LadaEarn

Chapter 6

The full moon hung high over the palace grounds, casting a silvery glow across the courtyard and bathing the grand hall in ethereal light. Its radiance spilled through the arched windows, illuminating the banquet within as if the heavens themselves were spectators to the night’s unfolding drama. Inside, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement and celebration. The hall was alive with laughter, music, and the murmur of polite conversation, as the royal family and their esteemed guests gathered for the highly anticipated feast. Ornate chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, their crystals refracting the moonlight and candle flames alike, while the scent of fresh flowers and rich foods mingled in the air, filling every corner with intoxicating aromas. 

Earn moved among the other servants, her pace steady as she carried trays of hors d'oeuvres and fine wines to the waiting guests. The elaborate decorations and luxurious attire of the nobility contrasted starkly with her plain servant's uniform, a constant reminder of the world to which she didn’t belong. She kept her expression neutral, her gaze downcast, yet she couldn’t help but steal glances toward the head of the banquet table where Princess Fahlada sat, surrounded by her family and adorned in the most exquisite gown of all. The princess' face glowed under the soft light, her beauty as radiant as the moon that watched over them. Earn’s chest tightened with a mix of awe and longing, and an emotion she dared not name. It hit her harder than ever—she wasn’t just a maid serving at a royal feast; she was the princess' secret lover.

A knot formed in Earn’s stomach as the weight of it all came crashing down. This wasn’t some storybook romance where a commoner could win the heart of royalty without consequence. This wasn’t a tale where love alone could conquer all. Fahlada wasn’t just a beautiful woman who shared tender nights with her; she was a princess, bound by duty and tradition, betrothed to another for the sake of her family and kingdom. And tonight, Earn would meet him. 

The room seemed to quiet as the herald announced his arrival, a hush falling over the crowd as Mean Phiravich made his entrance. He strode into the grand hall with the easy grace of someone who was used to being the center of attention, a figure of undeniable stature and elegance. His tall frame was dressed impeccably in traditional regalia adorned with gold and silk, his every movement purposeful and poised. His sharp features and confident smile exuded an air of authority that seemed to command the room’s attention, his presence effortlessly magnetic. As one of the wealthiest men in the country, he was not only respected but revered, his family’s influence rivaling that of the royal lineage itself. There was an aura of power about him, a quiet arrogance that suggested he was already considering himself as good as wed to the princess.

He approached the head table with a formal bow to Fahlada’s father, the king's sibling, who acknowledged him with a nod and a small, approving smile. The gaze of Fahlada's father then shifted to his daughter, who returned his look with a composure that Earn knew all too well; it was the same poise that had been drilled into her from a young age, the same mask she wore whenever her true feelings needed to remain hidden. Mean turned to greet the princess, his smile broadening as he offered her a courteous nod. The smile didn’t quite reach his eyes, however, and for a fleeting moment, Earn thought she saw a flash of something else—ambition, calculation, perhaps even indifference. 

Earn couldn’t help the bitterness that crept into her heart as she watched the exchange, her grip tightening around the tray she was holding. It was as though a wall had been erected between her and the princess, an impenetrable barrier that reminded her just how vast the gulf was between them. Here, among the aristocrats and dignitaries, she was nothing—no more than a servant, a shadow passing unnoticed among the glittering elite. She tried to focus on her duties, but the sight of Mean taking the seat beside Fahlada only deepened the ache in her chest, reminding her of how small she truly was in this world. The thought flared like a cruel whisper in her mind: You are not supposed to be here. This isn’t your world.