Two weeks later, King Samuel visited again.

My sister swapped me in once more, but this time, Samuel's spirits seemed low.

When I reached to loosen his belt, he stopped me, gripping my hand and guiding me to sit beside him on the bed.

After a lengthy silence, curiosity got the best of me and I looked up at him.

My brother and I had honed a unique skill from our days in seclusion—we could see better in the dark than most.

Under the moon's glow, his features were drawn tight, his eyes shadowed with fatigue, his profile strikingly noble.

Truly a vision, no wonder my sister was so taken with him.

I gently caught his hand, and as he turned to face me, I softly pressed my fingers to his brow, smoothing away the creases.

He remained still, seemingly relishing the calm.

Eventually, he lowered my hands and clasped them warmly in his.

"If all the ladies of this court were as comforting as you, my life would be easier," he murmured wistfully.

I stayed silent, merely sighing softly as I snuggled closer to him.

Soon, his hands began to wander, and reciprocating his advances, I finally loosened his belt.

This time, he took his time, savoring moments before we delved deeper.

The night took its toll on me; by the time he fell asleep, I was nearly overcome by fatigue. Thankfully, I awoke just in time.

Yet, despite my exhaustion, the next day my sister subjected me to a needle torture session as punishment.

They strapped me to a chair, shoved a cloth in my mouth, and proceeded to stab the tips of my toes with long needles.

The needles slid beneath my nails, severing the tender flesh that held them, twisting painfully deeper.

In no time, my face blanched, my body drenched in a cold sweat.

Afterward, Nanny Adams brought me a basin of salted water to soak my feet, to stave off infection.

My sister seemed pleased with my weakened state, her face losing its usual scowl.

"Jennifer, you were born unlucky, just like your mother. And you think you can charm the King? You're merely a stand-in. Any affection he shows is meant for me," she said with a smirk.

I didn't respond, though a part of me wanted to laugh.

If she was so sure, why did she always act as if I might steal her husband?

As soon as I had enough strength, I knelt before her, proposing I mimic her more closely.

"Sister, my brother's life is in your mother's hands. How could I betray you? But if I continue to ignore His Majesty, he might grow suspicious," I argued.

She kicked me squarely in the chest. "How long do you plan to play this game? You better conceive soon, you harlot," she snapped.

I pressed my lips tightly together—conceiving wasn't something I could simply will to happen.

Nanny Adams intervened swiftly, pulling her aside and whispering urgently in her ear, after which my sister calmed down and reluctantly agreed to let me practice her voice.

With the Dowager Queen's birthday fast approaching, my sister was busier than ever, seldom in her chambers.

Seizing a moment of rare freedom, I decided to explore the Phoenix Wing grounds.

Although I wasn't allowed outside the Phoenix Wing, my sister had a maid shadow me whenever she was away.

I wandered to the front courtyard, drawn to a towering apple tree near the palace gates.

I smiled and asked the maid, "May I climb the tree?"

The maid bowed slightly, remaining silent, which I took as consent.

I climbed eagerly, gripping the thick trunk until I reached a sturdy branch.

My forehead was slick with sweat.

What a view from up here!

I dabbed at the sweat on my brow, plucked a few apple blossoms, and stashed them in my pouch.

The blossoms were in full fiery bloom, a sight to behold.

I leaned back against the trunk, letting the dappled sunlight warm my face, and squinted in contentment.

Could this be what they call a stolen moment of serenity?

Utter bliss!

I closed my eyes, feigning sleep, reveling in the brief respite.

"Who goes there?"

A sharp call jolted me, and I lost my balance, tumbling from the tree.

"Someone help her!"

A commanding voice came from beyond the walls, and the gates of Phoenix Wing swung open at once.

Sitting on the ground, cradling my throbbing leg, I found myself face-to-face with King Samuel for the first time.

His presence was magnified by his golden royal robes, adding to his already formidable stature.

He rushed over, his brow furrowed in concern, and immediately called for his physician.

As I tried to kneel, he gently held me down, "You're hurt—no need to move."

Head bowed, I rushed out an apology, "Your Majesty, I've alarmed you. I deserve punishment."

He didn't reply directly but instead inquired, "You are the Queen's half-sister, correct?"

I nodded, and he asked further, "What were you doing so high up in that tree?"

Ashamed, I lowered my gaze even more, "Forgive me, Your Majesty, I've always been a bit wild, sunning myself up in the trees."

He chuckled softly, "You certainly don't have the Queen's poise. Next time, don't climb so high—it's dangerous."

I whispered a quiet agreement.

Just then, the physician arrived in a hurry, allowing the King to step aside.

After examining my leg through a cloth, the physician concluded it was merely sprained, not broken, and prescribed a bruise ointment before departing.

By the time my sister returned in a flurry, the King had already left.

She burst into my room, landing a fierce slap across my face.

"You lowly wretch, what vile tricks are you playing at? Daring to entice the King—are you mad?"

I burst into tears, shaking my head desperately, "Your Majesty, I did nothing wrong! I followed your orders, and never left the palace. I was just sunbathing in the tree—I never expected the King to come by here!"

"Still lying," she slapped me again, her anger flaring. "The King passes by here every morning after court. How can you claim ignorance?"

Stunned, I looked up at her, my eyes filled with confusion, "Your Majesty, it's my first time here. Today was the first time I ever left your side."

She paused, taken aback by my reminder. It dawned on her that in her palace, I couldn't have known about the King's routines, nor would she discuss such matters in front of me.

Despite this revelation, her demeanor remained unforgiving.

She scoffed and continued to scold me, "Jennifer, remember, you were born to a nobody; the King is out of your league."

I quickly bowed, submitting to her words.

That subdued her for the moment, and she strode away with an air of superiority.

Before leaving, she turned back to the maid following me, "From now on, keep her within the sleeping quarters."

I bit my lip, trying to appear indifferent, yet the pain in my leg made me silently weep.

That evening, King Samuel returned to the Phoenix Wing.

My sister sternly cautioned me to keep my act together, threatening to starve my brother if I faltered.

Suppressing the pain in my leg, I strived to appear unaffected and composed.

As we lay together, Samuel inquired, "Feeling warm tonight? You seem to be sweating more than usual."

Startled, I quickly rubbed my palms on my underdress. "Perhaps the recent flurry of duties has me a bit overheated," I offered cautiously.

Oblivious, his hand wandered until pausing abruptly upon feeling my injured leg.

I bit down hard on my lip to silence any cry of pain.

He released me suddenly, shifting to lie beside me, and whispered soothingly, "Let's just sleep now."

My heart raced until his breathing evened out, signaling he was asleep, and only then did I dare relax.

He clung to me tightly throughout the night. Carefully, I maneuvered out of his grip, bit by bit, trying not to awaken him.

By the time I switched places with my sister, dawn was casting its first light.

Her gaze was sharp as a dagger, filled with silent fury, as if she wished me dead.

Today was bound to be grueling.

She inflicted upon me the wood torture for the first time after my night with the King.

Wood slats were strapped across my chest and stomach, and as the ropes were pulled tighter, the pressure was unbearable. Blood would trickle from my nose and mouth.

Fear overwhelmed me.

Too much tightening, and I feared my organs might burst, leading to death.

I don't want to die; I have a younger brother to protect.

"Please, I only did it to avoid the King's suspicion—I wouldn't dare harbor other intentions," I pleaded desperately.

"I promise I'll behave from now on, just please let me go," I sobbed, my voice muffled by impending despair.

My sister signaled Nanny Adams to gag me before I could finish speaking, and as they approached, a warm surge flowed from me—I had started to bleed...