31. Selene!

The maids bowed their heads in a sign of respect, while the woman who responded incorrectly had to bite her tongue and accept Selene's command.

"As you command, my Lady," she whispered through clenched teeth.

Selene looked at the women for a long moment.

"There is something else I need from all of you, and it's imperative that you understand this clearly. No one, absolutely no one, can know what has happened here. You are strictly prohibited from speaking, murmuring, or even mentioning the king's name," Selene ordered. She hated sounding authoritarian or imperious, but Frederick's life was more important than anything else.

The maids nodded again, though not all of them were able to remain silent.

"The Queen Mother has to be informed," the woman protested.

Selene fixed her gaze on the woman, and her demeanor changed in the eyes of the maids, especially that defiant woman.

"If the Queen Mother or anyone else finds out, none of you will remain in this house. Have I made myself clear?" s