A Night With The Devil.

~Katrina~

The sight of the palace left even Lady Poria speechless. The grand design, the shimmering gold... it was breathtaking.

From the look in her eyes, I could tell she wished it were Anna instead of me. Her satisfaction grew when she remembered my fate—to be sold to the devil.

The palace felt more like a city than a home. People were everywhere, coming in and out of doors, going about their business.

One of the servants explained that the palace was divided into three sections: the women's quarters, where the royal women and servants stayed; the main quarters, where the king and the men of the royal family lived.

"What about the children's quarters?" I asked softly, surprising them with my voice.

"There are no children in the palace," the servant smiled.

Lady Poria shot me a sharp look and gripped my arm, her nails digging into my skin. "Who gave you permission to speak?" she hissed under her breath, all while keeping a fake smile on her face. "You must not speak without my say-so, understand?"

"Yes, your highness…" I started, but she cut me off, reminding me to call her "Mother."

She quickly let go of me when she saw a group of noble women approaching us from the women's quarters. I tried not to panic as they drew closer.

"Princess Katrina, is it?" the oldest of the women asked, her smile soft and warm.

She must have been in her mid-forties, wearing a stunning blue dress adorned with real gold jewelry that outshone anything Lady Poria had ever owned.

I could see how Lady Poria's eyes flicked with envy as she made the comparison.

"Yes, your highness," I answered, bowing deeply, though I nearly forgot the proper way to curtsy as I had been taught.

"Welcome to Xylonia," the woman said, pulling me into a hug. Her kindness was disarming, unlike anything I'd experienced in a long time. She thought I was a princess, and for a moment, I almost felt like one. "I am Queen Elizabeth, the king's mother."

I was stunned. No one ever mentioned the king had a mother. How could someone as gentle as her have given birth to the devil? Before I could say anything, Lady Poria, brimming with excitement, interrupted.

"Your highness, I am so honored to meet you," Lady Poria said, nearly tripping over her words. She was acting as though she were the one being introduced. "I am Lady Poria of Everia. Surely you see the resemblance?"

Queen Elizabeth looked puzzled, glancing between us. "No, no disrespect, but you two look nothing alike."

Lady Poria tried to brush it off. "Well, she takes after her father."

But that wasn't true. I looked just like my real mother.

"I see," Queen Elizabeth replied, though her expression didn't change. Her gaze was still on me, curious. "I was told Katrina was coming alone. Why are you here?"

"Y-yes, she was supposed to come alone, but…" Lady Poria stammered, rubbing the back of her neck. I had never seen her this flustered. So she was afraid of someone, too? "Katrina was nervous. She asked me to come with her."

I closed my eyes, sighing softly. How long would she keep up this act? It was exhausting watching her pretend to care.

"Oh, I see," Queen Elizabeth said, her tone neutral. She gestured for the maids to take only my belongings inside. "Thank you for bringing her, but you must leave now, Lady Poria."

Lady Poria's mouth opened in shock, but no words came out. The queen's words weren't a suggestion; they were an order. For the first time, I saw her completely powerless.

"Your high—" she tried to argue.

"I understand this is difficult," Queen Elizabeth cut her off, her voice firm but gentle. "But you need to return now. You're a mother, and I know this isn't easy for you, just as it isn't for Katrina. But the debt agreement didn't include you coming with her. The king will be furious if he finds out."

"I wish I could stay longer with my daughter…" Lady Poria's voice trembled, her plans clearly foiled. She hugged me stiffly, her face showing a mixture of frustration and forced sadness. "Goodbye."

As soon as she left, I felt like I could breathe again. One problem gone, at least for now.

The queen mother was kind, introducing me to several women and maids. They led me to my room, and when I saw it, I could hardly believe my eyes.

Tears welled up as I stood there, trying to take it all in. Back in Everia, I slept on the cold, hard floor in a storeroom.

This room was bigger and more beautiful than anything I'd ever imagined. If Princess Anna saw this, she'd lose her mind. But she wasn't here, and that was my small victory.

A maid named Marissa was assigned to help me settle in quickly. The queen mother didn't seem impressed with the clothes I wore. I was confused—these were Anna's clothes, the finest in all of Everia.

"The maids will take care of you," Queen Elizabeth assured me. "They'll do your hair, and the royal tailor will be here shortly to take your measurements. You'll be ready before sunset."

"Ready? For what?" I asked, my voice shaky, my fingers twisting nervously.

"For the king, my dear," she said softly, her words ringing in my ears like a death sentence. "You're to meet him tonight. You need to look perfect."

I stood frozen, her words sinking in. Queen Elizabeth left, but the weight of what she said lingered in the room. Tonight... I would meet the devil himself.

*****

Night fell faster than I had hoped, no matter how much I prayed for more time. It felt like my pleas were ignored.

The gown was ready, a beautiful yet heavy reminder of the night ahead. After my bath, the maids dressed me, their hands careful and efficient. My red hair was brushed and pulled into a sleek ponytail, but my mind was far from calm.

"What does the king look like?" I asked, breaking the silence. The maids exchanged nervous glances, as if I had said something forbidden.

Marissa was the only one who smiled. "You'll find out soon, my lady."

"What's going to happen tonight?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady, but I could feel the panic rising.

Marissa hesitated, then asked the others to leave. Once we were alone, she spoke softly. "Your parents didn't explain?"

I shook my head. "All I know is that my father is paying his debt to the devil by sending me here. That's it."

Her smile faded when I called the king a devil. "Don't let the queen mother hear you say that," she warned gently. "The rumors... they're not the full truth. But whatever you've heard, be careful not to anger him. The consequences will be worse than anything you've imagined."

A chill ran through me. My heart pounded in my chest. What had they dragged me into?

"Princess Katrina, you've been chosen to be the king's concubine. Tonight, you will spend the night with him."

Her words hit me like a slap. Concubine? My mind reeled. That was what they had hidden from me? My father, selling me off like this to pay his debt.

How could he send me into the arms of a man who was feared by everyone, even if that man was a king?

Tears blurred my vision as I stared into the mirror. My life was no longer my own. At such a young age, my fate was sealed.

"We're finished, my lady," Marissa said softly. The makeup artist had completed her work. My face was lightly done, enough to make me glow, though I couldn't care less. They told me the king would like it, but none of that mattered to me.

My bed was covered in white sheets, adorned with red roses. Marissa burned some fragrant leaves, filling the air with a scent that made me feel more trapped than ever.

They prepared everything like it was some kind of celebration, but I felt like I was awaiting my death.

I slipped a small knife under my pillow, a weak attempt to cling to some sense of control. I sat on the edge of the bed, my hands shaking, and waited. Alone.

Three long hours passed, and finally, the doorknob turned. My heart stopped. I clutched the hem of my dress as the door slowly opened, and my fate stepped into the room.