Chapter 27: Chapter 27

KAMORA

They finally arrived at the castle grounds. During the ride, Jarosh had grown more cheerful and had done most of the talking, filling the journey with lighthearted chatter.

As the carriage came to a stop, Kamora stepped down first and then turned to help Jarosh out with a gentle hand.

“So, this is the castle,” she whispered under her breath.

“Are you nervous?” Jarosh asked.

“A bit,” Kamora answered, adjusting her clothes. She had changed from her usual maid attire to that of a higher-level servant.

One might mistake her for Jarosh’s governess.

“Let’s go,” she said, gently holding onto his hand. They walked toward the waiting servants by their carriage.

“Good day, my lord,” the servants greeted Jarosh, bowing slightly. “We will escort you to the meeting hall.”

Led by the servants, they walked past perfectly manicured lawns and followed a cobblestone path that veered away from the main entrance.

Kamora took in her surroundings with quiet curiosity, noting that they were being guided through a different route. The number of flowers around them grew with each step, their sweet fragrance drifting through the air.

Each species was neatly grouped in tidy rows, creating a tapestry of color and scent.

In the distance, music floated on the breeze, accompanied by the sounds of laughter and the gentle clinking of utensils.

Kamora felt a gentle tug on her hand and looked down. Jarosh was staring up at her, shaking his head.

Glancing at the distance between them and the servants ahead, she leaned down and whispered, “What is it?”

“I don’t want to go,” he murmured.

“It’s already too late for that,” Kamora chuckled, recognizing the nerves in his voice.

She was beginning to regret ever suggesting to Lord Maroke that Jarosh should engage with his peers. She tried to ease his anxiety. “Let’s think of it as another adventure,” she said softly.

“We’re off to face the powerful queen and her court—and if we’re lucky, maybe win a few allies.”

“You’re treating me like a child again,” he grumbled, rolling his eyes.

“Well, you are a child,” Kamora exclaimed, laughing. “Let’s just do this once and for all, okay? Who knows, it might actually be fun.”

Jarosh sighed reluctantly, and they continued, trying to catch up to the servants.

A huge balcony made of pure marble came into view, and noble children with their guardians enjoyed tea inside. The cobblestone path led to a small flight of stairs attached to the balcony.

The two servants paused before reaching it and bowed. “His young highness, Lord Maroke, has arrived!” they announced.

All eyes in the open balcony turned toward them.

Kamora bowed, and Jarosh curtsied.

Hurried footsteps approached them, and Kamora was hit by a strong wave of perfume.

“Oh my, you actually came, dear,” a soft, high-pitched voice exclaimed.

“Good day, Your Highness,” Jarosh greeted.

Kamora, understanding this was the princess, curtsied as Claudia had taught her. “Good day, Your Highness,” she greeted.

The air stilled.

Kamora felt a prickling sensation on her skin. Curious why the princess didn’t immediately respond, she looked up and was surprised to see the princess staring at her, totally horrified.

“K-Kamora?” the princess screeched.

Kamora froze.

~Does she know me?~ The thought flashed through her mind as she stared at the princess, her pulse quickening.

The woman before her was radiant—fair-skinned with golden hair like the first light of dawn, crowned with a wreath of delicate flowers. Her eyes, a piercing blue as deep as the sea, burned with sudden fury.

The princess’s sharp features—her regal nose, rounded cheeks—twisted from shock into something far darker.

Before Kamora could react, a stinging slap cracked across her face, sending her stumbling back. The princess had struck her.

“Kamora!” Jarosh screamed, rushing to her side, eyes wide with shock and pain.

“How dare you, a lowly being not worth the pig in my stable, appear before me? Servants! Throw her out!” the princess shouted.

Jarosh stood in front of Kamora, stretching both arms out protectively. “Do not worry, we will both leave,” he said.

“What?” the princess exclaimed, surprised.

“My lord,” Kamora whispered behind him. “What are you doing?”

“I never wanted to come here anyway! It was you and Father who pushed me. Now look, they have made a mockery of our family,” he said.

“Please calm down—”

“Calm down? She slapped you!”

“Watch your words, young lord,” one of the servants said, his tone chiding. “You are in the presence of the princess.”

Jarosh ignored him and tried to help Kamora up.

Though touched by the young lord’s action, she couldn’t ignore the sense of dread that rose from the pit of her stomach. “My lord,” she said again, trying to convince him. “Remain here. I can wait for you in the carriage—’

“I will not repeat myself!” Jarosh’s voice cut through the air like a blade, startling Kamora.

Never before had he spoken to her like this.

“The princess has disrespected the Maroke Manor.” His jaw tightened, his gaze burning with unyielding resolve. “As its heir, I will not let that stand.”

A soft laugh broke the tense air, and all eyes turned to the princess, who stared at him with pride.

“I have always known you are a smart boy,” she said, extending her hand for him to come over to her side. “I admit that my actions were brash. And I am willing to apologize. Tell you what, I won’t throw her out. Let’s forget this all happened.”

Jarosh’s gaze locked onto the princess, his jaw clenched so tightly it trembled. With visible effort, he dipped into a stiff bow, every movement laced with restrained fury.

“Apologies, Your Highness,” he bit out, his voice icy. “But I find I’ve lost all desire to remain here.”

Without another glance at the royal, he turned to Kamora, his tone sharp and final. “We’re leaving.”

Kamora gave the princess a short bow and hurried after Jarosh, who had already left.

If looks could kill, Kamora was sure that she’d be dead ten times over. She felt the heavy, piercing gaze of the princess at her back.

Once they were close to the carriage, Jarosh huffed. “Now I see why Father avoids her. She is crazy!”

“Your Highness!” Kamora chided. “She is the princess. Have some respect.”

“When she didn’t have enough respect for you or me? Never. Besides, we need to go back home immediately. You and Father have a lot of questions to answer.”

“What do you mean?” Kamora asked, confused.

“Have you forgotten? She called you by your name.”

How can the princess of the kingdom of Amalith know a maid from the Maroke Manor?”