The belly of the beast.

Gazing into her dazzling eyes, Roan could feel she was hiding secrets, a lot of them. Most would be deterred by this taking it as a warning but Roan was lured in by the mystery like she was an unsolvable puzzle.

He glanced down coldly at the woman lying on the ground and asked, "And her?" unsheathing night terror. The long sword shone underneath the moonlight the blood thirst glimmering on its sharp edges. With a whoosh, he swung the sword letting its tip rest on the young woman's neck.

"One word at your command and I will end her life," he said his intense gaze fixed on Freya.

The murderous intent around him was suffocating but Freya put on a brave front like she wasn't affected. She swallowed her saliva as she lowered her head. "Asking his highness to be merciful. Her scars are already enough," she said followed by a long unsettling silence.

She stood there with her head bowed for a good minute waiting for the crown prince to speak. If it weren't for his boots in her line of sight she would have thought he left.

She suddenly felt a pair of cold hands wrap around her neck and force her to look up as a shiver ran down her spine. As he slowly caressed her neck with his thumb he leaned forward and a deep voice rang in Freya's ear.

"As you wish."

After he said that he signalled his men to pick the woman up while sheathing his sword. Just as he came he disappeared into the night without a sound leaving her standing there in a daze.

It was only after a chilling breeze brushed her skin did she finally wake up from her slumber. Her steps faltering and slow she walked back into her room. Amelda had already retreated to her quarters so the room was silent with the occasional crackling of the candlelights.

Her restless heart beat faster as the chill from her neck being touched lingered. She slumped on her bed and stared dazzled at the ceiling.

Thinking of the words he said to her she raised her wrist to take a closer look at her bracelet. Of course, it was a unique piece of jewellery that belonged to her mother and there could only be one of its kind.

While absentmindedly twisting the crystal orb under the candlelight she suddenly noticed something peculiar. She half sat up having noticed that the brocade box Prince Kian gave to her had suddenly vanished.

Thinking it was Amelda who took it away, Freya didn't think much of it. This was the royal palace after all. If it were a thief they must have a lot of guts waltzing in here.

The very same brocade box was currently in the Keres guard's hand and he was asking, "Your Highness, what do we do with it."

Roan who was turning the corner to his chambers didn't even look at it as he uttered coldly, "Burn it... and the young woman, break all her limbs and drop her in front of the Queen's chambers as a warning. Her tail had grown quite big."

Freya had said to let her go but not in what condition. He wasn't as charitable as her. This was to show Queen Rhea the direct consequences of her meddling in his business.

When he entered his chambers he found Roland, whose figure had disappeared for a while standing by the door.

"Your Highness," he half knelt before him.

Crown Prince Roan stopped beside him and said, "Report."

Roland could tell he was in a terrible mood so he didn't hold back stating, "It's about the lady, Freya. Her origins are quite murky."

The crown prince sort of expected this. With a demeanour like hers, she surely had a story hidden from the world. His lips quirked slightly as he rubbed the tips of his fingers his gaze complicated.

"She indeed grew up registered in the Wright family as a servant but she was living with Cara Wright three towns north of the Royal city. Her birth mother is recorded as the nursemaid of Miss Wright herself. According to the records she died during childbirth and the child was given to Miss Wright to raise. Because of their relationship with the nursemaid, she raised Miss Freya as her own but the law still recognizes her as a servant," continued Roland and the crown prince chuckled softly.

"That's what they want us to see," he replied and Roland who could perceive his change in mood asked,

"Then would you like me to snag one of them and make them talk?"

Crown Prince Roan sat down in his chair and asked, "Now where is the fun in that? The game is just getting interesting so why spoil it?"

Roland's scalp felt numb hearing this. He suddenly felt sorry for that young Miss. She had wandered into the belly of the beast of her own accord now she would have to bear with the consequences.

Freya wasn't the only one who was to bear the consequences of her actions. The young women who had run more than they had ever done in their lives were sore all over and crying foul.

Most of them, if they were still at their family home, would be pampered and carefully nursed back to health but this wasn't their family home, was it? Matron Dour rudely woke them up early in the morning preaching something about the mother of the kingdom rising while it is yet night and providing food for her household.

Wasn't it that a queen was to be served and treated like a precious stone? Apparently, in Odassal, the queen was the very epitome of a virtuous wife. She was an inspiration to all wives in Odassal who were to emulate her.

Freya and two other girls were used to waking up at the crack of dawn but the other girls could barely keep their eyes open. The most unexpected thing though was that Isabella was wide awake and didn't complain not even once.

She paid careful attention as the matron chastised their clothes and hair one by one.

"A queen must appear approachable, yet demure. A little elegance is permissible but not too flashy," she said as she walked slowly making sure to analyse each person from hair to face to dress.

Matron Dour's steps suddenly stopped in front of Rose before calling out Freya's name.

"Miss Freya, does your choice of outfit fit this description?" she asked as she slowly turned her gaze toward her.

Freya: "..."