Chapter 25
Azalea sat stiffly at the dining table, barely touching the food in front of her. She could feel the tension in the air, thick and suffocating, as conversation buzzed around her. Federico sat across from her, his attention completely absorbed by Maya, who seemed to be the only one capable of drawing any emotion out of him. Every laugh they shared, every fleeting glance, made Azalea feel more out of place, more unwanted in this royal family that didn’t seem to care about her.
A tight knot formed in her chest, and she knew she couldn’t sit there any longer. She gently placed her fork down and stood up, causing a brief pause in the conversation around her.
“I’m not feeling well,” Azalea said quietly, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside her. “I think I’ll go rest for a while.”
Federico didn’t even glance her way. Maya shot her a curious look but quickly returned her attention to Federico as if Azalea’s presence was merely a passing thought.
Queen Selena watched Azalea closely but said nothing, only offering a slight nod as acknowledgment.
Vick, who had been standing near the door, immediately moved toward her. “I’ll accompany you, my lady,” she said softly, her concern genuine.
Together, Azalea and Vick left the dining hall, the walls echoing with their fading footsteps as the lively chatter resumed behind them. Azalea kept her gaze straight ahead, doing her best to hold herself together as they walked through the long corridors leading to her bedroom. Vick followed closely, her presence quiet but reassuring.
When they finally reached her room, Azalea sighed deeply, relieved to be away from the oppressive atmosphere. She walked over to the window, staring out at the vast gardens below, lost in thought.
“You shouldn’t let them get to you, my lady,” Vick said softly, her voice filled with concern. “They don’t know you yet.”
Azalea nodded absently, her gaze distant. “It’s not just that, Vick. It’s the whole situation. This marriage, this place… Federico barely looks at me, let alone speaks to me. How am I supposed to navigate this life when I feel so unwanted?”
Vick hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Give it time. People like Federico… they’ve built walls around themselves. It takes more than just a ceremony to break them down.”
Azalea sighed again, feeling the weight of her new life pressing down on her shoulders. “I hope you’re right.”
Meanwhile, back at the dining room, the breakfast had finished, and Maya and Federico rose from their seats, still lost in conversation. They decided to head to the training grounds, where the young children of the royal guards were being taught combat skills. It was a nostalgic place for both of them, filled with memories of their childhood training sessions.
As they walked through the castle grounds, the sound of swords clashing and shouts of instruction echoed around them. They stopped at the edge of the field, watching the children practice with wooden swords, their faces serious as they mimicked the movements taught by their instructors.
Maya smiled wistfully. “Remember when we used to be out there, barely able to hold a sword properly?” she asked with a soft laugh.
Federico chuckled, though the smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Yeah. Those were simpler times.”
Maya glanced at him, her eyes searching his face for any hint of emotion beyond the stoic facade he wore so well. “Do you ever wish you could go back?” she asked quietly.
Federico shrugged, his gaze still fixed on the children. “It’s not that simple, Maya. Life doesn’t let us go back. We can only move forward.”
Maya hesitated, then took a deep breath, her next words coming out more carefully. “And how do you feel about… moving forward? About your marriage?”
Federico’s expression hardened instantly. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
Maya frowned, clearly not satisfied with his answer, but she didn’t push the matter further. She knew Federico well enough to understand when not to press. Instead, she turned her attention back to the training ground, her thoughts still lingering on the man beside her, wondering what lay beneath the cold exterior he showed to the world.
While Maya and Federico watched the children, plotting was already beginning in another part of the castle.
Leandro, seething with frustration, stormed into his mother’s private chambers. Queen Selena sat near the window, her elegant frame bathed in the soft light that streamed through the curtains. She looked up as her son entered, sensing the anger radiating from him.
“Leandro,” she greeted, her tone calm but curious. “What’s bothering you this time?”
Leandro paced the room, his fists clenched. “It’s Federico,” he spat. “I can’t stand him. He thinks he’s untouchable just because he’s married to that girl and because he’s next in line for the crown.”
Queen Selena raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. “Go on.”
Leandro stopped pacing and turned to face her, his eyes burning with resentment. “He’s not even trying to connect with her. Azalea. It’s clear he has no interest in her whatsoever. He’s too focused on his ridiculous quest for power to even pretend he cares.”
Queen Selena’s lips curved into a thoughtful smile. “So you think there’s a weakness we can exploit?”
Leandro nodded, his frustration morphing into something more calculated. “Exactly. He’s cold and distant with her. If we pretend to like her and make her feel comfortable around us, she might trust us. And if she trusts us, we’ll get closer to finding out whatever it is Federico is hiding.”
Queen Selena considered his words carefully, a slow smile spreading across her face. “It’s not a bad plan, Leandro. We could certainly use Azalea to our advantage. But we’ll have to be careful. Federico is not a fool.”
Leandro sneered. “He’s not as smart as he thinks he is. He’s blinded by his ambition. He won’t see us coming.”
Queen Selena leaned back in her chair, her eyes gleaming with the possibilities. “Then we shall proceed, but we must be patient. Make Azalea feel like she belongs here, and when the time is right, we’ll make our move.”
Leandro nodded, his determination renewed. “I’ll start today. I’ll approach her at the next opportunity, and make her think I’m on her side.”
“Good,” Queen Selena said with a satisfied smile. “And remember, we need to be subtle. Federico mustn’t suspect a thing.”
Leandro’s eyes gleamed with malice. “Don’t worry, Mother. By the time we’re done, Federico won’t even know what hit him.”
As Leandro left the room, his mind was already racing with plans. He knew that if they could manipulate Azalea, they would gain the upper hand in this family feud. And with Federico too focused on his ambitions, it was only a matter of time before the crown slipped from his grasp.