𝐈'𝐦 𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝𝐲 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥 (𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐃)

Chapter 59: Cut From the Same Cloth

The gates of the imperial palace groaned open as the procession rolled in.

Constantine didn't struggle as the knights dragged him from the cage. He just looked tired, his face a mess of bruises and dried blood. The guards took him straight down to the dungeons, through the same stone corridor, past the same iron door.

The same cell he had locked me in during the first timeline.

Phoebe was led a different way. She didn't fight either, but her hands shook as two knights escorted her to a guarded room on the east wing: strict supervision, no visitors, but a bed and food, and a physician on standby.

Leon was given a room near the barracks. He didn't ask for it. He didn't thank anyone. He just nodded once and followed the attendant.

Arsen didn't stop at the palace steps. He handed me off to the guards and went straight to the meeting room. Troops needed to be organized, prisoners of war sorted, reports filed. There was no rest for him yet.

I went straight to my chambers. The show was over, so was my patience.

I couldn't endure another second trapped inside this blood-stained monstrosity. It was truly an insult to my refined aesthetic.

Mary and Eli were waiting, and the moment they saw me, both of them rushed forward.

"Your Majesty!" Mary gasped, covering her mouth with both hands at the sight of the bruises and the blood-stained dress. "What happened to you?"

Eli didn't ask. She just burst into tears and pulled me into a hug before thinking better of it. She pulled back quickly, mortified, wiping at her eyes with the back of her hand.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, I shouldn't—"

"Stop fussing," I said, but there was no real bite in it. I let Mary take my arm and guide me toward the bath. "I'm fine. Both of you, stop looking at me like that."

"Fine?" Eli sniffled, dabbing at her eyes with a towel. "You're bleeding, Your Majesty! And your cheek is purple!"

Mary was already barking orders to the servants for hot water and clean bandages. "Sit, please. Let us take care of you."

I sighed and let them fuss. The bath was hot, and it stung the cuts on my palms, but Mary was gentle as she washed my hair. Eli hovered at the edge of the tub, wringing her hands and muttering under her breath about her poor empress.

When I finally stepped out, wrapped in a clean robe, Eli was waiting with a fresh dress and a damp cloth for my face.

"Stop crying, Eli," I said as she dabbed at my cheek. "You'll ruin your eyes."

"I can't help it," she answered, voice thick. "Your Majesty keep getting hurt"

Mary shot her a warning look, then turned back to me with a small, watery smile. "We're just glad Your Majesty is back safely."

I wanted to be polite and patient with them, but it was taking all of my energy not to yell. All of this fussing was giving me a headache, and I just wanted to run away and hide in some dark, isolated corner of the palace for a couple of hours.

Fortunately, we were interrupted by a sudden crisp, rhythmic knock that rattled the heavy door. A servant stepped in with a bowed head.

"Forgive the intrusion, Your Majesty," the servant said. "Young Master Xavier asked for a private audience. He's waiting in the sitting room."

I adjusted my sleeve, hiding the bandages. "Did he say what about?"

"No, Your Majesty."

I nodded. "Tell him I'll see him now."