Chapter 3 - Misfortune in the lunchroom
I eventually made my way to the royal lunchroom, a grand hall with high arched windows and an endless table that always felt far too large for a family that barely spoke to one another. As usual, only a few seats were occupied—Alaric sat at the head, flipping through reports between bites, while Prince Thorne lounged nearby, barely acknowledging my presence. A servant gestured for me to sit near the end of the table, far from the others, and I quietly obeyed.
A silver tray was placed in front of me, arranged with care: roasted quail, delicate vegetables, and a glass of juice that sparkled in the light. It all looked exquisite, and for once, I let myself feel a sliver of comfort. I hadn't eaten since breakfast, and hunger overruled caution.
I picked up my fork and took a bite. The flavors burst in my mouth—rich, savory, perfectly seasoned. The juice was sweet with just the faintest herbal aftertaste, unfamiliar but pleasant. I glanced around the table, but no one was paying me any attention. For the first time in days, I allowed myself to relax.
I didn't notice the sharp gaze of one of the servants as they lingered a moment too long by the door. I didn't see the way Alaric's hand paused briefly over his papers, his eyes flicking toward me before quickly looking away. I didn't know, not yet, that something had been slipped into my meal.
At that exact moment, Lumina entered the lunchroom, holding a book tightly to her chest. She had come in quietly, unnoticed by most, but her gaze drifted instinctively toward me. Her steps faltered.
"Estella?" she said, her voice uncertain.
I blinked up at her, confused—then felt something warm trickle over my lip. I raised a trembling hand to my mouth and pulled it away, staring in horror at the red smear across my fingers. Blood.
A sharp pain bloomed in my stomach, followed by a rush of dizziness. The room tilted. Gasps erupted around the table, and chairs scraped back as people stood. But all I could hear was Lumina's voice, small and terrified, crying out my name as I collapsed sideways from my chair.
A sharp pain bloomed in my stomach, followed by a rush of dizziness. The room tilted. Gasps erupted around the table, and chairs scraped back as people stood. But all I could hear was Lumina's voice, small and terrified, crying out my name as I collapsed sideways from my chair.
Then—footsteps. Fast. Heavy.
Alaric was the first to reach me. His usual stoic mask shattered as he dropped to his knees beside me, grabbing my shoulders with trembling hands. "Estella!" he barked, voice raw with panic. My vision was blurring, but I saw the flicker of fear in his eyes—real fear.
He shook me gently, then looked up, shouting at the nearest servant. "Get the royal physician! Now!" His command cracked through the air like a whip. Around us, the palace staff froze for a moment in shock before scattering into action.
Then everything want black…