Chapter 16

MAGNOLIA'S HANDS SHOOK as she carried the heavy plate to the living room. Serena had been enjoying using her as a maid lately.

She hurried back to the kitchen to bring the tea tray. It was even heavier than the plate. She took slow steps while being very careful.

Unfortunately, as soon as she entered the living room, her small wrists gave in, and the tray fell to the floor. Every single cup and saucer were shattered.

"Hurry up and clean that mess," Serena ordered.

Magnolia was too scared to even look up. She picked up all the broken pieces and rushed to the kitchen to fetch new ones.

As she reached for the cups in the cupboard, a hand snatched her head and smashed it against the wall.

"How dare you embarrass me in front of my guests?"

Disoriented, Magnolia tried to stand, maybe run, but she fell back down.

"What? Going somewhere?" Serena grabbed her from the hair and slapped her.

Magnolia's cheek stung, but she did not make a sound. Maybe she should have–

it always aggravated Serena even more when she did not show her pain. It was too late though. Serena was already livid.

"I think we need to teach you a good lesson today, Miss Magnolia." She grinned. "A lesson that you will never forget."

Serena grabbed a pot that was lying on the table. Magnolia stared at her in a state of disbelief.

'Is she really going to hit me with it?' The child wondered.

Sure enough, the first blow came. Magnolia curled up her body and used her arms to protect her head. But that did not make the pain any less.

The hits kept coming. She had her eyes shut, but every time Serena hit her, blue lights spread through the darkness.

She begged in silence for someone to help her, someone to save her from that cruel woman. She prayed to the Gods. But it was just Serena and her, lying on the cold cobbled floor of that kitchen.

"Now get lost, I do not want to see your face," Serena finally said, out of breath.

***

MAGNOLIA OPENED HER EYES TO A SUNNY ROOM.

She sighed. 'Another damn dream.'

She looked over to her left and found Daniel sleeping soundly. She noticed the towel on her forehead and the bowl of water on the table.

Then, she remembered tea with the princess and her encounter with Serena Lasen. She used her arm to cover her face.

'I had hoped to never see that bitch again.'

"Damn it."

"Well, good morning to you too."

Magnolia jumped in surprise. She turned to Daniel who was smiling.

"Did I wake you?" She grimaced.

"Not at all, I was only half asleep anyway." He caressed her face absentmindedly. "You gave me a fright yesterday." He squeezed his eyes shut. "How are you feeling right now?"

"I am alright," she answered with a low voice.

'Did he stay by my side all night?'

Magnolia studied Daniel for a moment, he looked exhausted. His unusual disheveled state and the damp towel she found on her head hinted to the answer she sought.

"What happened yesterday? Did Aurora do something to you?"

Magnolia noticed that he used the princess' first name.

"No, she did not." She was silent for a moment.

'Well, maybe she did, if she had planned to have Serena there from the very start.'

"Well? Are you going to tell me what happened?" Daniel sounded impatient.

"Can I do it later?" Daniel narrowed his eyes. "I promise I will tell you everything you want to know today."

"Fine." He got out of bed and rang for the maid. "I will tell them to bring you a breakfast tray in bed. You need to rest."

He stared at her for a moment. He wished she could just trust him, feel comfortable enough to tell him about anything. But it seemed they still had some way to go for that to happen.

"The doctor will come to check on you shortly," he informed her before he left.

'Damn it, did I upset him?'

A knock came a short moment later. "Come in."

An older woman appeared at the door with a sweet smile on her face. For some reason, her smile looked familiar.

"Good morning, Your Grace. I am Paula Kalph, the royal doctor." The introduction surprised Magnolia.

"The royal doctor?"

"Yes, the duke called for me yesterday."

"Oh my, I am sorry," Magnolia apologized. "You are probably busy, and we took you away from your work."

"Not at all, the members of the royal family are quite healthy." The woman joked with a smile. "I am glad to see that you are doing better. May I check how your fever is today?"

"Yes, of course."

Paula used magic to make sure everything was alright with Magnolia.

"Do you feel pain anywhere?"

"No, no pain."

"Well, everything looks good. It is still a mystery as to why you fell ill." Paula stared at Magnolia in anticipation.

'Was that a question?'

"I think I was in a very stressful situation yesterday. I believe that was the cause," she answered after considering her words carefully.

"I see. Well, I will take my leave now. Make sure you rest, Your Grace."

"Thank you so much, Doctor. I will."

After that, Magnolia ate breakfast in bed. She took a bath and spent her day resting in her room. She dreaded her meeting with Daniel all day.

'What if he decides that I am not fit to hold the Van Konigl name after I tell him about my past?' Her very core shook at the thought.

"There is only one way to find out," she told herself.

Magnolia looked in the mirror to check that she looked decent. She was still pale and her eyes looked tired and worried, but they were determined. There was no reason to delay it anymore. She took a deep breath, then headed to the duke's office.

'Here goes nothing.'