đ.đ: Allegiance and pies
Elysia's Perspective
đ woke up the following day to the sound of Liliette's energetic voice.
"Your Highness, wake up!"
I nearly let out a whimper when she yanked the covers from my grasp, exposing me to the brisk morning air that nipped at my skin.
My face scrunched into a dramatic wince as I sat up, arms wrapping around myself like a makeshift blanket.
"Now, Liliette," I groaned, rubbing my eyes. "That's no proper way to wake a person up."
Liliette giggled into the back of her hand. "Pardon me, Your Highness, but we tried everything else for nearly a minute and nothing worked. I had to resort to... drastic measures."
So basically, I slept like a molten log till they had to rip the covers off me?
Wonderful.
Barely a few seconds into the day, and it already feels jinxed.
Still, I couldn't help but chuckle along with her.
On the bright side, if Luke played his cards the way I wanted, today promised to be eventfulâin the best way. No one ever said there was any harm in being a little optimistic.
As I blinked the sleep from my eyes, I noticed Mira across the room, moving through my walk-in wardrobeâmost likely sorting out my attire for the day. The soft sounds of water sloshing and the faint scent of rosewater from the adjoining bath chamber told me Seraphine was prepping my bath.
Those two were becoming⊠dependable.
I let a small, thoughtful smile tilt my lips. I cleared my throat then, calling for their attention.
"Ladies."
The three of them paused in their tasksâMira stepping out from behind the velvet wardrobe curtain, Seraphine peeking her head through the steam-wreathed bath door, and Liliette already at my side, tilting her head curiously.
I stood, the morning light casting golden rays across the marble floor as I met each of their eyes.
"Today marks the start of a turning point for us," I began. My voice was even, but underneath it, a ripple of nerves stirred. "I know not many people in the palace are fond of me. I know being forced to serve someone like meâsomeone with no reputation but plenty of rumorsâmust've been difficult."
Mira and Seraphine stiffened ever so slightly at that, but I pressed on.
"If you'd let me," I continued, "I'd like to do my best to change things. I know it's asking a lot, but I'm not expecting blind loyalty. I just⊠need people. My people. And if you three would officially be mine, I swear to protect you. To care for you."
A beat of stunned silence followed.
The expressions on their faces were clear as dayâsurprise, hesitation, and in Seraphine's case, a flicker of reluctant curiosity. I guessed none of them expected me to be so direct, let alone ask for their allegiance outright.
But sometimes, sincerity was sharper than any blade. Mind games and persuasion were tools for laterâwhen the stakes were higher and the board more crowded.
I glanced above their heads, my heart beating faster as I watched the numbers shimmer and shift:
â
Mira â 29 â 35
Seraphine â 18 â 26
Liliette â 64 â 72
â
I blinked. My breath caught in my throat.
Damn, it actually worked. Their affection levels increased.
Even Mira, who'd practically looked like she wanted to smother me in my sleep the first time we met. Even Seraphine, who still spoke to me like I was a stain on royal linen.
My shock must've shown because Liliette laughed softly and placed a hand on my arm. "Your Highness, I already liked you. But I guess you've officially won them over, too."
I turned to see Mira and Seraphine wearing similar flushed expressions, but they nodded, agreeing with Liliette's words.
"IâŠ" I smiled, breathless with disbelief and delight. "Thank you. All of you."
Mira crossed her arms and looked away. "You⊠shouldn't get the wrong idea, Your Highness. This doesn't mean I'm completely fond of you now. But I suppose I can admit you're⊠not as unbearable as I initially judged you to be."
Seraphine spoke up too, her expression unreadable. "And I don't give loyalty lightly, Your Highness. But⊠I can respect honesty."
I beamed, nodding ecstatically. "That's more than enough for me. Thank you both for giving me a chance."
Both girls flushed awkwardly again.
The warmth blooming in my chest felt unfamiliarâlike sunlight after a long, harsh winter.
Now, I had allies. Or at least a small support system. People within the palace, with eyes and ears in places I couldn't reach on my own.
People I could use.
Slowly but surely, I had started putting pieces in place. I'd carve the future I wanted no matter what.
And even if I still don't know what lies ahead of me in this palace since all the events that occurred before the Cassian's birth were not covered in the novel... I refuse to let myself become a code-zombie*.
"Right," I said, clapping my hands once. "Time to put that loyalty to work. Today, we're baking cherry pies."
Liliette blinked. "Cherry⊠pies?"
I grinned. "Mhm. A recipe I discovered in a cookbook that was lying around in the library. I thought we'd bake a few batches and distribute them to the palace staff. A little goodwill never hurt anyone."
A white lie. The recipe was actually one I'd perfected in my past life as Cassandra.
"A recipe book? Are you sure that's going to provide enough guidance, Your Highness?" Mira's brows furrowed.
"Oh, trust me, Mira. I'm gonna blow your minds," I smirked with a promise.
Soon after, the three of them helped me dress for the day. I chose a soft ivory gown cinched with rose gold ribbonsâdelicate enough for the morning task but regal enough to carry presence.
Once ready, we made our way down to the royal kitchens, commandeered the space with Liliette's bubbly charm, and set to work.
The scent of fresh dough, cherries, and sugar quickly filled the air. A comfortable silence settled with the clinks of bowls and the heat of the ovens.
It felt⊠natural. Homely, even.
By mid-morning, the pies were done. Golden-brown crusts, glossy cherry filling bubbling through delicate slits, the smell warm and nostalgic.
Then came distribution.
Some staff received the pies with stunned gratitude, blinking at me like I'd morphed into a dragon right before their eyes. A few smiled, genuinely pleased. Others merely nodded their thanks with neutral expressions.
And as expected, some flat-out refused, murmuring curt dismissals before walking away.
Mira bristled. "How dare they turn their noses up even though you're doing them a favorâ!"
Seraphine, surprisingly, echoed her. "Ungrateful wretches. If this were any other noblewomanâ"
"It's fine," I interrupted gently, placing a hand on each of their arms.
"I expected this. One act of kindness won't change years of resentment. But it's a start. They'll come around. Or they won't. Either way, I won't stop trying."
Liliette beamed at me, pride glowing in her eyes.
With the last batch of pies boxed up, I handed a tray to the servant who usually delivered gifts or food items from royal family members to the King's private quarters.
"Please make sure His Majesty receives these," I said with a soft smile.
The servant bowed. "As you wish, Princess."
My hands trembled slightly as I dusted the flour from my fingers. There was only one thing left to do.
I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders, and made my way to the palace training fields.
The sound of swords clashing, men shouting, and the heavy thud of boots meeting sand reached my ears long before I saw them.
My older brothersâLuke and Lucasâwere both in the middle of drills, training alongside the palace knights like it was the only way to breathe.
They hadn't seen me yet.
I held the tray of cherry pies tightly, the edges digging into my palms. I came to offer them strength. A truce, in sugar and pastry form.
But a storm was brewing on those sands.
And I had a feeling this one wouldn't be weathered so easily.
â
*Code-zombie: In the context that Elysia meant, a code-zombie is basically a character in a game or book, because they're controlled by the author's/creator's script, not having a will of their own.
A/N: Yesterday was stressful and something upsetting happened at school that kinda killed my motivation but I wanted to update today unfailingly so... Anyway if you're still reading this novel, thank you :)