THRENNA

His Highness has never summoned me this way. This must be really bad, my heart raced against my chest as I was being dragged into the royal chambers.

"You called for me your highness," I bowed slowly, the moment I got to the front of the chamber. Beside him was his wife, her expression carved in malice.

My stomach clenched. Her look, cold and calculating could only mean one thing. Trouble.

Only the Moon Goddess knows what she might accuse me of now.

His Majesty's gaze was unkind, not angry, but disappointed, disgusted even. It stung more than I could believe.

He cleared his throat and continued. "Rumors..." his voice thundered through the chamber. "I want to believe what I heard is nothing but Palace gossip."

My blood ran cold. My knees weakened.

Calista

Of course, it was her. But how?

It just happened last night. How has word already reached the King?

Calista and her clique did this sort of thing all the time. I have even caught her a few times with her men. But no one said a word. And no one, especially not His Majesty and his wife, ever believed anything ill about their daughter.

"Didn't we provide for you Renna?" he asked, his voice low but heavy.

I opened my mouth, but the words didn't come.

What did he mean by 'Provide'?

A roof, yes, but what else? I was pretty much a glorified maid.

"Answer me!" he spat. His voice cracked like a whip, veins bulging in his neck.

"Ye....yeah yes your Majesty..." I could barely hear my own voice over the thunder in my chest.

"Then how dare you soil the name of this dynasty with your act!"

The Queen's eyes blazed, burning holes into my pores. I wouldn't be surprised if she and her daughter did this.

"I'm sorry your highness, I—I was lured..." I began, my voice breaking.

"Lured?" The queen of thorns hissed.

"Yes, mum..." I took a few hesitant steps towards her, hoping for something—anything. Compassion. Understanding. She was a mother too, right?

But who was I kidding, the leopard doesn't change its spots.

Water can't be squeezed from a stone.

"Who the hell are you calling Mother?" she hissed, venom laced with her words.

"I am not the mother you killed at birth, you bitch, And the King is definitely not the man who ran away after his wife gave birth!"

I flinched. My old wound ripped wide open.

Typical Elora... She never seizes to taunt me with the twisted details surrounding my birth.

"Believe me, my King," I whispered, forcing my tears back, "I wouldn't intentionally do it. I was lured. I was... I was raped."

"By who exactly? Aren't you the whôre who took herself to the wolf in the woods?"

Her voice stabbed me, with every syllable.

"Tell me who?" The King barked.

"Yes, Renna, who?" The silky voice of the chameleon chimed from behind, wearing her usual mask, a subtle smile, and an innocent face, but I knew her too well be deceived… well not anymore.

"After all my parents did for you," she continued, her voice sweet and poisonous. "She told me about this, Father. I warned her. I told her not to go, but she wouldn't listen," she turned to the King, her eyes bright with fake worry.

Her lies were so easily accepted, while my truth struggled to be heard.

"Bu.... but " I stammered, my voice lost in the rising cloud of storm.

I couldn't accuse Calista. That would be suicide. A dead wish.

And I was so close to my goal; I could ruin it now.

"I didn't do this your Majesty," I cried, "I didn't mean to."

"Fine. You go to the royal physician and if she confirms you are still untouched, I will believe you. If not...." he paused, his eyes sharp.

I wanted to scream. To run.

The result would surely prove I was no longer pure. But I wasn't going down alone.

"One request, your Majesty!" I asked colly.

"It's nice you are saving us the stress and taking up your punishment," the queen muttered coldly.

"Speak," the king responded, avoiding my gaze. I know how hurt he might be with my actions.

He had always praised me, when no one saw the good in all I do, but I guess one wrong, makes us turn a blind eye to all the good.

"I request the Princess be tested as well," I said, slowly.

"What?" the queen shrieked. "What are you insinuating? That my daughter is as vile as you?"

The King was silent as he observed the situation.

Princess Calista smiled as she neared me, "I know you are upset that you have been caught, Renna, but that doesn't mean you should drag others into your mess, take responsibility for your actions okay..." And with her mischievous smile dying down she turned to the King, "If it pleases the King, then I will have the test with her."

"No Calista, you weren't the one caught in the act. And how dare you accuse the princess of such?" he spat.

"I'm sorry Your Highness," I apologized.

But it was too late as I was being dragged away for a test.

...

I was to present the results to the King myself, I contemplated tearing it, saying I misplaced it—but who would believe me?

Then something strange happened.

The Queen welcomed me with a kiss, this has got to be the joke of the century.

"There's no need for the test result, Renna," she said calmly. "Mistakes happens. No one is above them. Just go get some rest."

My eyes flicked to the King. He nodded. Calm. Silent.

What the hell was happening?

"Thank you, my King. Thank you my Queen," I bowed as I walked out of the room. But paused by the frame, curiosity held me back.

"The King has sent his message, his son will be here," the Queen whispered, "he will be here on the mating ceremony, and we can't afford..."

Her voice dropped off, as she turned round as if sensing my presence.

"And about Renna... I feel bad for her, she should have gone through that," the King interrupted her.

"I agree, but she shouldn't have dragged our daughter into it." she snapped.

I walked away, thoughts tangled.

So...they weren't defending me. Just hiding something bigger.

Calista was bad news—I had always known. But this? This was deeper.

Something about the Queen's and King's sudden change unsettled me. And now, they were talking about a certain son's visit.

Nevertheless I was grateful. Whoever it was, he has bought me time. And I'd use it.