Kara stood firmly before Daniel's chamber door, her composure concealing a tremor coiled deep within her. Her eyes scanned the long corridor, tense with silent anticipation—until the rhythmic sound of footsteps echoed toward her. As the guards approached, her heart pounded wildly, but then Daniel's voice whispered through her memory: "Keep calm, enjoy the performance, and don't ruin the plan."
The guards soon arrived, their faces etched with authority and their voices sharp, clipped with command.
"By order of His Majesty, we are to search the prince's chamber and verify whether Princess Elena is inside."
Kara didn't flinch. She raised her chin with measured confidence and replied in the quiet strength of a servant who knows exactly whom she serves:
"I will inform him. If he permits, you may enter."
The guards exchanged glances, stunned. It was the king's command—how dare a mere servant treat it so lightly? But Daniel's name now carried a gravity few dared challenge. After the incident with Daris and the horrors of the Caleris Cell, no one wished to provoke him. They nodded in silence, subdued by a fear unspoken.
Inside the room, Daniel spoke to Elena with a trace of amusement.
"Seems someone took issue with your little performance and ran to tattle to the king."
Elena's face paled. Though she had agreed to the plan, she had not yet chosen the time to act. It was meant to be discreet—elegant and unseen. Now, someone had sabotaged her. But who? Only Max and Alex had been present that night. Her thoughts spiraled—It can't be... No, it's impossible...
As panic crept in, her gaze swept the room for a place to hide, but Daniel intercepted her thoughts with a lazy grin.
"Pointless," he said flatly. "Even if you jumped from the window, they'd find you. Better to relax—pretend you were drunk and passed out in my room."
She stared at him, her silence thick with shame and turmoil. His logic, though cold, was sound. If they found her hiding, her reputation would be shattered regardless. She nodded reluctantly and adjusted her posture, doing her best to hide the pain echoing through her body from the night before.
Moments later, Kara entered the room. A heavy scent of lust clung to the air, and Elena's disheveled clothing—clearly Daniel's—was strewn about. Kara said nothing, but her eyes spoke volumes. She found him sprawled across the bed, smirking like a man watching his own performance unfold. She understood immediately: this was under control—no need to stir further chaos.
The guards waited outside. After a few minutes, Daniel emerged, composed and regal, followed by Elena, whose steps were labored, her pain concealed behind clenched teeth and distant eyes. Kara trailed behind in her servant's garb, her gaze still sharp.
A guard stepped forward, speaking with formal respect:
"Princess. Prince. His Majesty requests your presence in the dining hall. Please follow us calmly."
Daniel nodded and walked ahead, unhurried. Elena followed, her mind elsewhere, her body screaming in silence.
In the royal dining chamber, King Karis sat with the cold poise of judgment. At his side were Lina, Max, and Alex, their expressions unreadable. A guard entered, bowed low, and announced:
"Your Majesty, Prince Daniel and Princess Elena await outside."
Karis replied without emotion, "Let them in."
The doors opened. Daniel entered first, composed. Elena followed—pale, barely upright. The sight struck the room like a thunderclap. Faces twisted in disbelief, some in disgust, others—secretly—in delight.
Before the king could speak, Lina leapt from her chair, voice filled with fury:
"What happened last night?! Elena—why do you look like that?!"
Elena lowered her gaze, tears streaming silently. Regret choked her, too heavy for words. Daniel, ever calm, remained quiet—infuriatingly so.
Finally, King Karis's voice broke the silence, rising in command:
"Answer Lina's questions. That's not a request—it's a royal order."
All held their breath. Then Daniel spoke, voice flat, laced with mockery:
"What would you have me say? That we were drunk last night, indulging in worldly pleasures? That we awoke this morning in shock at what we had done?"
Gasps rippled through the room. Before anyone else could react, Lina stormed toward him and delivered a resounding slap across his face. The echo rang like a verdict. Daniel didn't flinch. His cheek flushed red.
Elena tried to speak, but the look of revulsion on Lina's face silenced her. The truth was there—locked in her throat, unspoken.
King Karis turned to Elena, voice cold and cutting:
"Is what he said true?"
Her eyes met his. She trembled under the weight of his presence, unable to form words.
Then, with thunder in his voice, Karis slammed both fists onto the table, sending dishes flying and wood splintering beneath his rage.
"Elena! I'm speaking to you! Is what that bastard said true?!"
Darkness fell like a veil over the chamber. The air thickened. Dread crawled into the lungs of every soul present. Unable to speak, Elena simply nodded, terrified of what might happen next.
And with that single gesture, the storm was unleashed. The fury in the king's eyes turned the room into a choking abyss—and all understood: nothing would ever be the same again.