Chapter 49
Azalea’s heart hammered in her chest as she entered the grand dining hall with Federico by her side. The atmosphere was tense, everyone was seated around the long table, their expressions carefully guarded. The memory from last night was still too fresh, too raw. And now, here they were, seated at the same table, forced to pretend that everything was normal.
Federico, beside her, was tense as well. She could feel it in the way his hand hovered near hers, the way his eyes kept drifting toward Maya. His attention wasn’t solely on her, though. No, it was split between Maya and Bennett, who had just entered the room, his presence like a storm cloud sweeping in.
Bennett made his way to his seat, his steps slow and deliberate. As he passed by, Azalea caught his eye for a brief moment, and the intensity of his gaze sent a shiver down her spine. She wasn’t the only one affected; she could see the unease in Maya’s eyes, the way she averted her gaze and shifted in her seat.
Federico leaned closer to Azalea, his voice a whisper meant only for her. “What do you think her connection to Bennett is?”
“I don’t know,” Azalea whispered back, her eyes flicking between Maya and Bennett. “But something feels… off. He looked at her during the ball as if they knew each other.”
Federico’s frown deepened, his gaze hardening as he looked at Maya. “We’ll find out soon enough.”
Before the tension could thicken further, the heavy wooden doors of the dining hall swung open, and King Marcos entered, followed closely by Queen Selena and several other high-ranking officials. His presence commanded immediate attention, and the chatter around the table ceased instantly.
King Marcos took his seat at the head of the table, his expression cold and severe as he surveyed the gathered group. He waited a moment, letting the silence stretch before he spoke.
“As you all know, there have been… disturbing events as of late,” the king began, his voice as cold as his gaze. “It is imperative that we get to the bottom of these issues. Therefore, I have called a meeting to take place in three hours, immediately after breakfast.”
Azalea felt her stomach twist with anxiety. She wasn’t sure what the king had planned for the meeting, but it was clear that whatever it was, it would involve uncovering secrets. And secrets, in a place like this, could destroy people.
“Until then,” King Marcos continued, “you are all to rest and prepare. We will not leave that meeting until the truth is laid bare.”
Across the table, Leandro and Thomas exchanged a satisfied glance, their eyes gleaming with a dangerous excitement. They were pleased with the prospect of the meeting as if they expected to gain something from it. Azalea’s unease grew, a sick feeling gnawing at her. They had been eyeing her for days now, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that they were waiting for her to slip up, to make a mistake they could use against her.
Federico’s hand found hers under the table, squeezing it gently. She glanced at him, and though his expression was stern, she could see the concern in his eyes. He was just as wary as she was, if not more. He knew the dangers that lurked in his father’s court all too well.
Breakfast was served, and though the food was exquisite-plump fruits, warm pastries, and savory meats-Azalea could barely bring herself to eat. Her nerves were too frazzled, her appetite nonexistent. Across the table, Maya seemed to be in a similar state. She picked at her plate, barely touching the food in front of her. Her eyes kept darting toward Bennett, who sat quietly at the far end of the table, his expression unreadable.
Federico and Azalea exchanged another glance, both of them silently trying to piece together what Maya’s connection to Bennett could be. It was clear that there was something there-something more than a casual acquaintance. But what?
As the tension mounted in the dining hall, Azalea’s mind swirled with anxious thoughts. The unknown letter loomed over them like a dark shadow, its contents clearly of great importance, though no one knew what it contained. All she knew was that the upcoming meeting had just become even more critical.
Across the table, Maya looked equally uneasy. Her face was pale, her eyes wide with the same worry Azalea felt. She could feel Maya’s gaze shift toward Bennett every few moments as if she were silently pleading for him to explain everything. Bennett, however, remained stoic and composed, his eyes fixed straight ahead, not even acknowledging the silent glances being thrown his way.
Azalea took a sip of water, trying to calm herself. It was clear that the king’s patience was wearing thin. Whatever secrets this letter contained, they would all be revealed soon enough, and she wasn’t sure if she was ready for that.
“Azalea,” Federico’s voice was low and firm beside her, snapping her out of her thoughts.
She turned her head slightly to look at him, meeting his intense gaze. He looked as troubled as she felt. “What do you think?” he asked in a whisper.
“I don’t know,” she whispered back, keeping her voice low so the others wouldn’t hear. “But it’s not good. Whatever was in that letter… it’s enough to change everything.”
Federico nodded, his jaw tightening. He wasn’t one to show fear, but Azalea could see it now, in the subtle tension in his body, in the way his hand hadn’t let go of hers for the past few minutes. His father, the king, was unpredictable when it came to matters like this. And if Leandro and Thomas were truly involved in whatever was going on, it could spell trouble for both of them.
Across the table, Leandro and Thomas exchanged another look, their expressions smug, as if they had been expecting something like this to happen. Azalea’s stomach twisted with unease. They seemed far too pleased with the situation, and that could only mean one thing-they believed they finally had the leverage they needed.
The king’s voice cut through the silence once again, pulling everyone’s attention back to him.
“You have three hours to prepare for the meeting,” King Marcos repeated, his gaze sweeping over the table. “I expect all of you to be present and ready to answer for anything that comes up. This is not a matter that can be taken lightly.”
Azalea swallowed hard, her hand tightening around Federico’s beneath the table. Her mind raced with a thousand possibilities. What would happen in the meeting?