Chapter 139

[ 1,064 words ]

Arabella:

I looked up at Jasmine with the most innocent expression I could manage.

However, inside, I was still recovering from the panic of seeing Amy and Jasmine heading straight toward us.

The three of us didn’t have enough time. The moment we realized they were coming our way, we dropped onto the grass and started whispering about random stuff as though we had been sitting there for too long, completely unaware of anything happening around us.

I had to give us credit. Especially Toby. His face was so serious that for a moment I thought he had actually forgotten we were pretending.

Damn. We deserved an Oscar for that performance. At this rate, Hollywood might actually have a place for the three of us.

“Oh, hey, Jasmine! Amy!” I smiled up at them. “What are you two doing here? May I help you with something?”

Jasmine stared at me as if she was scared of something.

For someone who had apparently been crying a few minutes ago, now she just stood there, looking like she had no idea what to say to me.

“No. I…” Her eyes moved from me to Maya and Toby before returning to my face. “I was just wondering what you were doing out here.”

I glanced around at the grass surrounding us and shrugged. “Sitting? And the sun…” Beside me, Toby cleared his throat, but I didn’t dare look at him.

Jasmine’s lips parted again. “I mean… shouldn’t you still be resting? I heard… you were not well…”

I smiled. Since when did Jasmine care whether I rested or not? Now she was worried about my health? That was new. “I’ve rested enough. The doctor said I could walk around.”

Jasmine nodded slowly, and Amy apparently had enough of watching her struggle. Her sharp gaze moved over Maya and Toby as if their presence offended her personally.

“And what exactly are they doing here?” she asked.

Maya raised her brows while Toby pretended he hadn’t heard her. But my eyes didn’t miss his red face from the insult.

“Are you asking about my friends?” I asked, giving her a puzzled look.

“I can see that they’re your friends.” Amy’s mouth twisted slightly. “I’m asking why they’re still staying at the palace. Or is free food and royal hospitality difficult to give up?”

Beside me, Maya shifted uncomfortably. I reached over and casually rested my hand on her knee before she could answer.

Amy wanted nothing but a reaction. Unfortunately for her, I was not in the mood to take her shit today.

I slowly got to my feet. For a moment, I forgot that Maya and Toby were even there. I looked straight into Amy’s eyes, surprised by how little her shitty attitude intimidated me now.

“They’re my friends, Amy… and they’re guests here. I asked Lucien before inviting them.” My voice didn’t shake when I lied to her.

Amy glanced away with a scoff. “Oh. Lucien is a fool. He can’t keep allowing random people into the palace like it’s a damn hotel.”

I stared at her for a second, then smiled. “The last time I checked, you weren’t the Queen.” I brushed a little grass from my clothes. “You’re married to Gamma Noah, aren’t you? Shouldn’t you be worrying about your own pack instead of deciding who your brother is allowed to invite into his palace?”

Amy’s face hardened. “Watch how you speak to me, Slave! And its princess Amy for you…”

I looked her up and down before meeting her eyes again. “Princess, my ass, Amy. And I’m not the one who just called the King a fool.”

That silenced her.

Toby coughed behind me, and I knew damn well he was trying not to laugh. I tilted my head. “Actually, isn’t insulting the King a serious offense?”

Amy’s eyes narrowed as she opened her mouth to speak. I turned toward Jasmine. “Soon, you’re going to be a Queen, right?” I asked innocently. “Surely you know the rules better than I do. What’s the punishment for insulting your King, Jasmine?”

Jasmine’s lips parted, but nothing came out, and Amy looked ready to strangle me. I turned and found Maya giving me an approving nod.

Amy took an angry step toward me. “You little piece of…”

“Amy, leave it,” Jasmine interrupted, catching her arm before she could come any closer. Amy turned to Jasmine, and the anger on her face faltered. She looked almost hurt, as if she hadn’t expected Jasmine to stop her.

“You’re seriously going to let her speak to me like that?” she asked. I could see anger simmering in her eyes as she looked at me.

Jasmine released her arm. “You called Lucien a fool first. What do you want me to say?” Amy stared at her in disbelief, and I decided to make things even worse.

“See?” I smiled. “That’s why Jasmine used to be a royal head warrior.” I gave Jasmine an approving look. “She knows when someone is wrong, even when that person happens to be the King’s sister. I suppose that’s exactly the kind of future queen we deserve.”

Amy’s wounded expression deepened, and I wanted to laugh. Goddess. I was enjoying this.

“And honestly, Amy, you should be happy,” I continued. “Your brother is going to have someone beside him who respects his position enough to defend him even against his own family. Not everyone would do that.”

For once, Jasmine didn’t seem to know if she should be pleased or not. Amy looked between the two of us before pulling her arm away completely. “I’ve had enough of this.” She whispered and walked away without waiting.

Jasmine remained where she was for another moment, studying me as if she was trying to figure me out. She gulped before she finally turned and followed Amy.

I watched them cross the grounds until Maya appeared beside me. “Okay,” she said slowly. “What the hell was that?”

“I thought you were waiting for Jasmine to come back so you could hold her accountable for what she did to Zorro,” Toby remarked.

A small smile touched my lips as I watched Jasmine disappear into the warrior building. Actually. I changed my mind.”

“Let her climb a little higher first.” I turned back to my friends. “The higher she thinks she is, the harder it’ll hurt when I knock her down.”

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