Meredith’s POV"Wait, let me get this straight; you broke Gwen’s nose?” Sarah asks, and I nod in confirmation. She blinks up at me like she is still trying to process everything I just said. “You mean the Gwen we all know? Like Queen Bee Gwen?”A frustrated sigh leaves my lips. “There is only one Gwen in this palace, Sarah.” She takes a seat beside me by the fountain and places a hand over her head.“I don’t know if I am impressed or scared,” she mutters, and my eyebrows furrow with confusion. “Why would you be scared?” I ask, and she looks at me with her brow raised.“You punched one of the most vicious women in this whole palace and even went as far as breaking her nose. If you aren’t scared, then you are either dumb or suicidal,” she explains, and I roll my eyes. Gwen is the last person I would ever fear. “She wouldn’t dare lay a finger on me,” I say confidently, but Sarah clearly doesn’t believe that. Deep down, neither do I. Gwen is vengeful and would hardly let anyone make a f

Meredith's POV An annoyed groan leaves my lips as the buzz coming from outside my door infiltrates my ears. How can people be so loud this early in the morning?I attempt to use my pillow to shut my ears, but to no avail. I stay in that position, hoping to get some peace and quiet, but the noise only worsens.What the hell? I thought the party was over. What's with all the buzz and festivity?Sighing in defeat, I come to the realization that I won't be getting any more sleep today. I sit up and straighten my hair. My eyes fall on the three presents by my bedside, and a smile automatically lifts my lips.The memories of yesterday come flooding in, and I can't help but get this tingly sensation in my chest. I didn't know so many people cared about me here. But it still would have been better if my father were present. I wonder how he is doing. Whenever I think of him, my heart aches terribly. The weight in my chest grows heavier by the day, and all I want to do right now is hug him

Roman’s POVMy gaze falls over the balcony to my men scurrying about beneath me. The preparations for the ball tomorrow had commenced, and here I was making sure that everything goes according to plan. Nothing can screw this up; I have to catch the mole tonight. A pair of approaching footsteps fills my ears, and I already know who my visitor is without having to look at them. “Is it ready?” I ask him, and I can practically feel him nod. “Yes, your majesty. All the invitations have been sent out. The chefs have begun their preparations for the meals, and the decorators will be here first thing tomorrow morning." "I have also made preparations for one of the best DJs; everything has been sorted out. Now all you have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the ball.” Max says it in a jolly tone, and I have to keep myself from rolling my eyes. If only it was that simple. I will be doing a lot more than just enjoying myself tomorrow night. I could not blame him, though; he does not know m

Meredith's POV Madam Estrid walks in with a large scowl on her face and annoyance swirling within her fading gray eyes. “Are you deaf? Didn’t you hear me knocking?” I stay silent. I couldn’t speak. I was almost too tired. She glares down at me and says, “It will soon be time for the ball. Everyone is getting ready; you should as well.” Once again, I say nothing. If I didn’t know better, I almost believe that there was a flash of worry in her eyes. But there was not a single soul that actually cared about me in this damn place. She sighs, and her hands go up to her nape. “I heard what happened, and it is quite unfortunate; although I could say I expected death to come knocking on Gwen’s door eventually, I never expected it for Sarah. She was a good girl.” I pinch my eyes shut and let another tear slide down my face. Why was she telling me this? Is this her way of condoning me? Madam Estrid continues, “But you have to pull yourself together. One thing you must get used to he

Meredith's POV Idris and I turn to find Caelen leaning against the doorframe with his hands in his pockets. His attire is similar to Roman’s but a lot less sinister. His hazel eyes shift from Idris to me suspiciously, and my mouth opens and shuts as I try to think of a lie. If they find out who Idris really is, they will kill him, and then they will kill me because then he will know that I lied to him. I have been lying to all of them about who I really am. When neither of us answer, Caelen pushes himself off the doorframe and eyes Idris carefully, "I have never seen you before,” he says, encircling Idris in an intimidating manner. I did my best to calm myself down and try not to give us away, but it is just so hard. If there was one thing I hated about these kings, it was their ability to evoke fear in anyone without even trying. “I am one of the new recruits, your majesty.” Idris lies coolly, and Caelen’s eyelids are narrow. “Is that so? And to what rank?” Caelen inter